in 1894, the peninsula was visited by the russian minister of finance, who became convinced of the region's economic potential. consequently, in 1896 a telephone and a telegraph line were extended to kola, improving the communication with the mainland. a possibility of building a railway was also considered, but no action was taken at the time. also in 1896, alexandrovsk (now polyarny) was founded, and grew in size so rapidly that it was granted town status in 1899; kolsky uyezd was renamed alexandrovsky on that occasion.