BEMIDJI—A bus will leave Bemidji Wednesday morning before sunrise, with numerous passengers dressed in plaid. The destination is St. Paul, where the 13th annual Bemidji Day at the Capitol will take place.

The hours-long lobbying effort will get underway at 10:30 a.m., where individuals from Bemidji will meet with District 2 and District 5 Sens. Paul Utke, R-Park Rapids and Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids. Those who’ve traveled down to the metro will then be able to go to legislators throughout the capitol and inform leaders about Bemidji needs.

“Our agenda includes lobbying support for BSU’s Hagg-Sauer Academic Learning Center replacement project, and we’re requesting support for the Northern Minnesota Veterans Home to be located in Bemidji,” said Deb Pfaff, Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce President. “With the latter, there’s a great need that’s been identified.”

The push for a veterans home in Bemidji has been a goal for local advocates and officials for more than a decade. The effort is based on the northwest Minnesota region having nearly 30,000 veterans, with 77.2 percent of them over the age of 55. Additionally, the nearest veterans home is in Fergus Falls, a 128-mile drive from Bemidji.

Project proponents are requesting the state pledge funding for the veterans home, which would allow an opportunity for federal dollars.

The home will be the subject of a State Government Finance Committee meeting Wednesday at 1 p.m. Beltrami County Veterans Services Officer Scotty Allison is scheduled to speak at the meeting.

Another item Bemidji representatives will discuss Wednesday is the Paul Bunyan Expressway, an idea to expand State Highway 371 between Jenkins and Cass Lake to four lanes.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to come together, with involvement from Bemidji High School and BSU,” Pfaff said. “It’s a chance to meet with the legislators and provide some face-to-face feedback. It’s also a chance to talk about some of the great things that are happening here.”