Latest Releases
Following Efforts from Klobuchar, Smith, and the Entire Minnesota Delegation, FEMA Issues Disaster Assistance for Flood Recovery in Martin and Murray Counties
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the delivery of Individual Assistance for Minnesotans affected by severe storms and flooding across Martin and Murray counties. The Individual Assistance programs provide disaster survivors with access to a range of programs and services to aid in the recovery process, including financial assistance to eligible individuals and households. Damage assessments by federal, state, and local emergency management teams are ongoing, and FEMA may designate more counties and additional forms of assistance as damage is assessed. “The flooding this summer inflicted serious damage across our state, and we must continue working together to recover,” said Klobuchar. “FEMA continues to be an active partner in the recovery effort so that our state can receive critical federal disaster relief funds, and expanding assistance to Martin and Murray counties will ensure residents have the help they need to rebuild.” “Minnesotans are still struggling after this summer’s devastating floods, and every level of government is needed for our communities to recover,” said Smith. “FEMA is an important federal partner, and this new assistance for residents of Martin and Murray counties will help provide the support they need to get back on track.” In June, Klobuchar and Smith led the entire bipartisan Minnesota congressional delegation in securing President Biden’s approval of Minnesota’s request for federal assistance to help Minnesotans whose homes suffered damage from storms and flooding. This announcement follows the Administration’s previous round of Individual Assistance in July, which made 19
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Climate Resiliency Projects for Lower Sioux Indian Community
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced Lower Sioux Indian Community (LSIC) will receive federal funding to reduce harmful carbon emissions and energy costs in Tribal homes and businesses. LSIC will be awarded nearly $5 million from the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate provisions, which Senator Smith helped to pass into law. This award will allow LSIC to: “Our transition to a clean energy economy can’t leave Indian Country behind. We are finally starting to turn the page on generations of underinvestment and underfunding by the federal government in Indian Country through projects like this,” said Senator Smith. “Tribes know what works best for them and their members, and this funding allows them to meet the unique needs of their communities.” “Lower Sioux Indian Community, Cansayapi, has been researching and working diligently to find ways to continue as good stewards of the Earth and reducing the carbon footprint by growing hemp and building homes made with hemp-based materials for insulation,” said Robert L. Larsen, Lower Sioux Community Council President. “With the help of Senators Klobuchar and Smith, we will continue reducing harmful emissions from fossil fuels and improving local resilience by installing solar-powered heat pumps so the traditional heat sources will not have to run as often or as long. This funding supports Lower Sioux’s strategy to evaluate and weatherize homes, which ultimately will affect the cost to heat them and reduce the harmful emissions from conventional heating sources. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions will contribute directly to Lower Sioux’s resilience goals and
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Secures $300,000+ in Federal Funding for Northern Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/18/22]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced federal funding to be awarded to two projects in Northern Minnesota. $305,000 will be provided to the Aitkin County Sheriff’s office to upgrade equipment, and $14,000 will be given to Morrison County United Way to support their “Imagination Library” childhood literacy program which gives children one book a month for the first five years of their lives (the program is in conjunction with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library). “These are two important investments that will support communities in Northern Minnesota. The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office has been using outdated communications equipment and
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Secures $2+ Million in Federal Funding for Central Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/18/22]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced federal funding awarded to three projects in Central Minnesota. $2,000,000 will be provided to the city of Annandale to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 24 and Hemlock Street. $193,000 will be provided to The Link of Northern Kandiyohi County for their food pantry. $14,000 will be given to Morrison County United Way to support their ‘Imagination Library’ childhood literacy program. “These are three important investments that support communities in Central Minnesota. The Annandale roundabout project will make the community safer for children, seniors, and their families, who frequent the
Sen. Tina Smith Secures Significant Federal Funding for Mental Health Center in Winona
WASHINGTON [3.18.22] – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that she has secured $136,000 in federal funding to deliver much-needed facility renovations and provide necessary equipment to the Hiawatha Mental Health Center in Winona. These improvements will help expand mental health and substance use care to more residents, particularly those in underserved communities. “We need to start treating mental health with the same urgency we treat physical health, and that starts with making sure everyone has access to the care they need,” said Senator Smith. “I’m proud of our work to secure this funding, which will help more Minnesotans, particularly
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Strengthen Bemidji Wastewater Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $4.4 million in federal funding to strengthen wastewater infrastructure in Bemidji. Specifically, the funding will enable the Bemidji Wastewater Treatment Facility to conduct much-needed infrastructure repairs, expand capacity to boost operational efficiency, and ensure that the facility is able to meet treatment demand. “Updating wastewater infrastructure is essential to ensuring the health and safety of our communities. This funding will make a real difference for Bemidji, enabling critical improvements to the city’s water treatment facilities,” said Klobuchar. “I’m proud to have worked with local
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