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Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Local Projects Benefiting Brainerd and Little Falls
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured significant funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023) federal budget for local projects benefiting Brainerd and Little Falls. These projects will support the construction of a new dining facility at the Minnesota National Guard’s Camp Ripley training facility and increase access to affordable child care. “From facility improvements at a key National Guard training center to expanding access to affordable child care, these projects will help address issues impacting Minnesotans on a daily basis. I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure these funding commitments, and I know that these resources will make a real difference for Brainerd, Little Falls and the surrounding areas,” said Klobuchar. “Supporting our National Guard, investing in the development of young children, and increasing accessing to child care are always worthwhile investments,” said Smith. “I’m proud of the work we did with local leaders to bring federal dollars to this community, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects have on people’s lives.” Funding secured by Klobuchar and Smith will help further the following priorities: $3 million to help the Minnesota National Guard construct a dining facility (DFAC), including improvements to utilities, emergency response services and other facility infrastructure at Camp Ripley. $600,000 for the Brainerd Family YMCA to purchase a vacant building and create a child care center that will serve an additional 74 infants and toddlers, helping meet the community’s child care needs.
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Local Projects Benefiting Iron Range
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured significant federal funding for local projects benefiting communities on the Iron Range. These projects will help strengthen emergency services infrastructure, expand access to affordable child care, and enable key infrastructure improvements. “This federal funding will have a real impact for communities across the Iron Range. From investing in emergency response services and improving water infrastructure to increasing access to affordable child care, these projects will address key issues impacting Minnesotans on a daily basis. I am proud to have worked with leaders from across the Iron Range to secure the resources for these projects, and I look forward to seeing all the good they will do,” said Klobuchar. “The Iron Range deserves strong federal partners and I’m proud of the work we did with local leaders to bring these investments here,” said Smith. “From making important water infrastructure improvements, supporting emergency response services, increasing access to child care, and expanding housing and shelter resources, these projects are going to have a real, positive impact on people’s lives.” Klobuchar and Smith have secured federal investments to further the following priorities: Improving water infrastructure $4 million for the East Mesabi Water Project, which will strengthen water infrastructure in Aurora and other Range communities. Strengthening emergency response services $1.3 million for the Ely Area Ambulance Service Joint Powers Board to build a centralized emergency response facility. Increasing access to affordable child care $1.2 million to help United Way of Northeastern
Sen. Tina Smith Fights against Financial Threats to MinnesotaCare
U.S. Senator Tina Smith is working hard in the Senate Health Committee to protect a vital program that provides high-quality, affordable care for more than 100,000 Minnesotans. Late last year, President Trump abruptly ended federal payments that help consumers afford their health insurance coverage. That decision drove up premiums across the country and produced significant confusion and financial losses in several states. Because of these cuts, and other actions taken by the Trump Administration, Minnesota is now on track to lose more than $806 million in total funding from its “Basic Health Program” (BHP)—also known as MinnesotaCare. Now the long-term
Sen. Tina Smith Says Minnesota Winter Olympians Will Put “Best of Our State” on World Stage
With the 2018 Winter Olympics kicking off in PyeongChang, South Korea, U.S. Senator Tina Smith said that she’s excited for the Winter Games to showcase Minnesota’s impressive delegation of athletes—the third most of any state in the country. “I’m so proud of the Minnesota Olympians who are getting ready to put the best of our state on display in South Korea,” said Sen. Smith. “I continue to be amazed that we’re sending 21 athletes to compete in the Winter Games—third most in the entire country—but I’m not all that surprised. Because often when you’re a Minnesotan, once your kids can walk, you bet
Sen. Tina Smith Announces Ag Working Group ahead of Upcoming Farm Bill Debate
U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced the members of her newly-formed Ag Working Group who will help make sure Minnesota priorities are included in the upcoming debate over the federal Farm Bill. “I fought for a spot on the Senate Agriculture Committee because agriculture is the foundation of Minnesota’s economy,” said Sen. Smith. “As we move into this year’s Farm Bill debate, I plan to push Minnesota priorities after hearing from as many Minnesota experts as possible. My new Ag Working Group will bring together Minnesotans with a deep understanding of farm policy and how it impacts our state’s producers, businesses, and communities. They’ll
Sen. Tina Smith Helps Introduce Legislation to Prepare Minnesota Students & Workers for High-Skill, In-Demand Jobs
U.S. Senator Tina Smith helped introduce legislation to tackle the nation’s “skills gap” by expanding partnerships that train students and workers for open, good-paying jobs in fields like manufacturing, health care, clean energy, and IT. Based on successful models that already exist in Minnesota and across the country, the Community College to Career Fund Act (CC2C) would bring together technical colleges, community colleges, and local businesses to prepare people for jobs that are in high demand. “My first official stop in Minnesota after becoming Senator was at Wyoming Machine, a local sheet metal fabricator that’s doing great things,” said Senator Smith, a
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