The Metropolitan Council is kicking off a series of community listening sessions this month as it creates a 10-year regional plan. The agency is taking resident input on how it can address changing economic, transit and housing needs of the region.

What should the Twin Cities region invest in now for a better long-term outlook? Sue Haigh, chair of Metropolitan Council and president of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, joined The Daily Circuit Friday to discuss the upcoming regional plan and take listener input.

During the show, Haigh said she remains upbeat about possible state grant funding for Southwest light rail, despite comments by Gov. Mark Dayton that the project lacks the necessary political support.

The proposed line connecting Minneapolis to Eden Prairie is one of the most competitive projects vying for a piece of the $47.5 million that the Dayton administration will hand out, she said.

But Haigh said the project will still move forward if its request is denied.

"If we get zero, we take the money that's already been approved and allocated from this project -- a good chunk of this money comes from Hennepin County property tax and from the sales tax, so we already have $47 million in commitments," she said. "So we'll move with engineering, and we'll work again this legislative session to seek support."

The project has asked for $14 million from the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Haigh says a decision could come next week.

What should the Twin Cities look like in 2040? Comment on the blog.

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