Mission & History
About CMRP
The Central Mississippi River Partnership (CMRP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization comprised of local governments, businesses, nonprofits, individuals, and other entities with the shared goal of developing and implementing solutions to regional challenges. CMRP supports collective planning, growth, and development efforts and serves as an advocate for regional priorities before state and federal policymakers, agencies, and other stakeholders. The Partnership’s current focus is supporting improvements to traffic safety and mobility along the Highway 25 corridor in Wright and Sherburne Counties.
Our Mission
The Central Mississippi River Partnership aims to advance regional infrastructure and development priorities through collaboration and collective advocacy.
History of the Central Mississippi River Partnership
2025
The Central Mississippi River Partnership was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(4) organization in January 2025. The new nonprofit has a renewed focus on advancing regional transportation safety and mobility priorities and will welcome businesses, community organizations, other government entities, and individuals from throughout the region as Affiliate Members.
2024
CMRP continued to work with Bolton & Menk on a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study to analyze existing conditions along the corridor and identify potential improvements. Phase 2 of the PEL study began in early 2024.
As work on the PEL study continued, the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership decided to transition from a Joint Powers Entity to a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization to allow for involvement from businesses, community organizations, other government entities, and individuals from the region.
2023
The Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership hired Bolton & Menk to conduct a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study in the Highway 25 area. Phase 1 of the study, which analyzed the existing conditions along the corridor and identified the issues for improvement, took place from June through December 2023.
2022
Members of the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership continued to engage with their communities, policymakers, and stakeholders to advance regional priorities.
In late 2022, the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership renewed its focus on regional transportation priorities and began preparing to obtain a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study in the region.
2021
The Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership continued work to develop Framework 2030, a regional vision and strategic plan to inform further decision-making, and to define the organization as a collaborative regional entity.
2020
The Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership welcomed new members and began work to develop Framework 2030, a regional vision and action plan to inform collective decision-making. The Partnership also continued collaborations with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNdot) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) to discuss regional transportation issues.
2019
In 2019, the Trunk Highway 25 Coalition became the Central Mississippi Regional Planning Partnership, reflecting its expanded scope of developing a collective regional vision and ultimately supporting efforts to improve transportation throughout the region.
By the end of 2019, the former Highway 25 Coalition had conducted extensive conversations with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNdot) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) to identify the processes and phases necessary to move forward with transportation solutions.
2016
Becker, Big Lake, Monticello, Becker Township, Big Lake Township, Sherburne County, and Wright County formed the Trunk Highway 25 Coalition to advance awareness of transportation issues affecting the region.
The Highway 25 Coalition conducted a transportation study that yielded traffic and service data and initial recommendations for improvements, including the potential need for a second river crossing.