Mission & History
About the 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.
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
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.
2019
By early 2019, the 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 a transportation solution.
The Coalition became the Central Mississippi Regional Planning Partnership, reflecting its expanded scope of developing a collective regional vision and ultimately supporting unified efforts towards improved transportation throughout the region.
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 continued to collaborate with MNdot and the FHA to discuss regional transportation issues.
2021
Members of the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership continued to engage with their communities, policymakers, and stakeholders to advance regional priorities, develop Framework 2030, and define the organization as a collaborative regional entity.
2022
Members of the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership continued to engage with their communities, policymakers, and stakeholders to advance regional priorities, develop Framework 2030, and define the organization as a collaborative regional entity.
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.
2023
The Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership hired Bolton & Menk to conduct a 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.
2024
Phase 2 of the PEL study began in early 2024. The data collected in 2023 about current conditions was reviewed and developed into a range of potential solutions. The final phase of the PEL study will end in early 2025 with a final report detailing the outcomes of the study and the next steps towards advancing a solution.
As the PEL study wraps up, 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.
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.