Trailblazer partners agree to pursue federal money

The Sibley County Board Tuesday (Jan. 27) supported the McLeod County Board’s decision to pursue federal money for a new Trailblazer Transit headquarters in Glencoe.

In an interview after the board meeting, Board Chair Bill Pinske of Arlington said the decision was not on the agenda, nor was it formally voted on. Instead, the Sibley County commissioners agreed by informal consensus to seek $1.5 million in federal aid.

The money would pay for designing and building a combined office, dispatch and garage facility for the public transportation service. Trailblazer is operated by a joint powers agreement between McLeod and Sibley counties.

“There is some concern about not having a presence in Sibley County,” Pinske said, “and personally, I’m a little concerned about fuel efficiency.”

If the $1.5 million becomes available — and if the new dispatch center and garage is built — Pinske fears Trailblazer could rack up higher fuel expenses if buses serving Sibley County must return to McLeod County every night.

Both the McLeod and Sibley County boards have expressed a desire for a satellite garage to remain in Gaylord. “That’s the hope,” Pinske said. “Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.”

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)