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Page 3 <br />On page 15 of the TPP is a map showing the 2010 development pattern for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Between <br />2010 and 2040, Anoka County is projected to add over 95,000 people (a population greater than the city of Duluth) and <br />nearly 45,000 jobs (for comparison, downtown St. Paul has approximately 65,000 jobs in 2014). <br />Building off of the theme "Connecting communities, fostering regional prosperity," the Plan <br />continues on to point out the strengths of our region and indicates the importance of <br />transportation as a foundation to maintain or improve our region. Provided below are the <br />paragraphs from the introductory section of the Plan that underscore this theme. <br />With nearly 3 million people, diverse industries and businesses, and outstanding natural and <br />cultural amenities, the Twin Cities metropolitan area is a thriving place to live, learn, work, <br />and do business. The area consistently ranks as one of the top -rated places in the nation, <br />and includes a wide range of communities — small towns and rural areas, growing_ <br />communities, suburban neighborhoods, and active urban districts. <br />Today, transportation continues to play a crucial role in the region's quality of life and its <br />economic success. Reliable. efficient. safe. and affordable transportation connects the <br />region's residents with lobs, schools, community amenities, families, and businesses. And it <br />supports the movement of goods and services both within the region and beyond. <br />Our transportation system provides a strong foundation for the future. Our extensive and <br />well -managed roads and highways move most of the region's people and goods. But they <br />need major investments to make necessary improvements and keep them in good repair. <br />Additional investments in transit, as well as bicycling and walking connections, will be <br />necessary to enable people greater access to opportunities and the region to grow in a <br />sustainable way. <br />Anoka County is in agreement with these sentiments of the above paragraphs in the plan. In <br />fact, we have underlined the sentences or passages that seem most applicable to us. The <br />concern we have is that in reviewing the Plan, it appears as though these sentiments are <br />forgotten. Generally, we feel that the plan is somewhat exclusionary towards a sizable portion <br />of the region's area, population, and employment. Specifically, the Plan Tacks a satisfactory <br />