JESSICA HARPER JESSICA HARPER LAURA ADELMANN
Buffets Inc. files for bankruptcy 2A Intertech expands in Eagan 2A Farmington mayor aims for re-election 2A
dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz
DATE ##, 2009 JANUARY 26, 2012
VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 32, NUMBER 48
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could happen Proposed south of Lakeville Speedway by Aaron Vehling
DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
A company has proposed to build south of Lakeville the Minnesota Speedway Park, a $500 million NASCAR-ready racing complex. Though in its very early stages, the plan for the site at Highway 2 and I-35 in Elko New Market has initiated some positive and some negative reverberations throughout the area. El Tinklenberg, spokesman for International Motorsports Entertainment and Development Corporation (IMEDC), said the site will bring in tourism dollars and jobs to Scott and Dakota counties. “This project will create literally thousands of jobs during construction and operation,” he said. At least one area resident is concerned about noise pollution, traffic and environmental degradation. Shahna Monge lives in New Market Township, about a half-mile from the proposed site. Among her list of worries is the effect the
project would have on thee Vermillion River, which runs just north th of the proposed site. “When you pave a surface, ace, there is a lot of runoff into waterways,” she said. Monge also was concerned rned about the developer’s funding streams:: What happens if it never finishes the sitee and a halfcompleted project blights the area? Tinklenberg said IMEDC MEDC received an “oral commitment ment from the funder to finance ce the entire project.”
Park draws opponents
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INSIDE BIZ FORUM
State Legislature should not grant a monopoly to two horse racing tracks to subsidize another monopoly – the Vikings. PHIL 4A KRINKIE FORUM
Legislators need to approve Gov. Mark Dayton’s bonding bill as soon as possible to create much-needed jobs. DON 4A HEINZMAN
Long road ahead The complex, should it survive regulatory hurdles and Elko New Market City Council and Scott County Board d vvotes, would feature a seven-eighths mile oval track, ck, a hotel conference facility, ility,
CAPITOL COMMERCE
Gov. Mark Dayton and legislators are optimistic they can avoid a repeat of last session’s shutdown. MARK 7A DAYTON
See Speedway, Page 9A
CAPITOL COMMERCE
The Minnesota DFL Party has f iled an ethics complaint against Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville. DAVE 10A THOMPSON
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Graphic submitted
A company is proposing to build a $500 million NASCAR-style race track at Highway 2 and I-35 in Elko New Market, just south of Lakeville. It would open in 2014.
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General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Advertising 952-846-2011
Eagan health insurer names next CEO by Jessica Harper DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Eagan-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announced last week that it has chosen a new CEO and president to lead the nonprofit health care insurer. Kenneth Burdick is expected to
join Blue Cross in mid-February. He will succeed Patrick Geraghty, who left in July to join Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, according to a news release. Burdick most recently served as senior vice president of Bethesda, Md.-based Coventry Health Care Inc. and was the CEO of their
Medicaid and behavioral health business. Coventry serves more than 5 million members across the nation. Prior to his role at Coventry, Burdick served as CEO of two UnitedHealth Group companies. He also held senior leadership positions at Travelers Companies and
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CIGNA Corporation. Burdick is a graduate of Amherst College and has a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Jessica Harper is at jessica.harper@ecm-inc.com. Kenneth Burdick