Minden Mayor Nick Cox is looking ahead and has outlined an ambitious infrastructure expansion plan that would see major upgrades through 2030.

Cox presented  his “Moving Minden Forward for Growth” plan to city council members during a recent workshop, asking the body to “…take a look at what we would hope to accomplish over the next five years. It’s ambitious, but it’s things that I believe are doable with your help.”

He identified six departments in the city, giving an overview of goals that would improve the overall quality of life in Minden and prepare for future growth.

Areas addressed and goals include:

• Water: To increase water storage capacity to support growth and reliability. Includes new two million gallon Clerk St. water tank to go along with the current storage capacity of 750,000 gallons, tripling existing capacity.
• Sewer: Expand wastewater capacity to meet future demands by expanding the current 2.4 million gallon capacity with an expansion of 2.5 million gallons and retainer pond. The future 4.9 million gallon capacity would double existing system capability. 
• Electric: Strengthen electric infrastructure to support growth and realiability. Minden has four existing substations. Goal is to expand steam plant substation capacity, increase system load capacity to support future development. Target is a 20 percent increase in total capacity.
• Streets: Improve connectivity and major transportation corridors. To accomplish this, Cox wants to see the Fincher Rd. extension (Homer Rd. to the service road), seeks to leverage state and federal funding and wants to coordinate state highway repairs for the Homer Rd., Lewisville Rd. and Sheppard St.
• Recreation: Invest in recreation facilities that support youth, families and tourism. Ideas include to tall and turf all baseball and softball fields on the 16-field complex, turf football and soccer fields, renovate tennis and basketball courts and add an E-Sports center.
• Internet: Expand access to high-speed fiber Internet by advocating for expanded residential and commercial fiber availability, expand fiber to city facilities (public works, recreation complex) and support future business and economic development needs.

“This infrastructure plan is about preparing Minden for the future. By investing in core systems like water, sewer, electric, streets, internet, and recreation, we are making sure the city has the capacity and reliability needed for growth while continuing to improve quality of life for our residents,” Cox said.