Senators Smith & Klobuchar Help Secure Funding for Area Projects

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 Northwest Minnesota. This funding will help boost local communities through a wide range of projects including major investments in the Thief River Falls Regional Airport, higher education for Minnesota’s veterans and service members, wastewater treatment facility improvements, roadway infrastructure, childcare investments and more.

Senator Smith says these investments are an enormous win for North Western Minnesota and that she is particularly proud of their work to secure this funding, which will directly improve the lives of Minnesotans.

Funding secured by Klobuchar and Smith will help further the following priorities:

Upgrade the Thief River Falls Regional Airport

$7.5 million to ensure a safe and reliable operation for the largest aircraft operating at the airport. The new cargo area expansion will allow light maintenance to occur indoors and allow loading and unloading operations to occur in a safe, warm environment.

Rehabilitate and expand wastewater treatment facility in Bemidji

$4.4 million to fund much needed repairs at the Wastewater Treatment Facility in the City of Bemidji.

Construct a fire hall in Dilworth

$975,000 to support the demolition and construction of a fire hall serving two cities, three rural townships, and providing mutual aid to all other rural Clay County cities.

Reconstruct and upgrade highway infrastructure in Moorhead

$500,000 for full reconstruction of the roadway in the City of Moorhead, including “complete street” and lane reduction modifications. The project will add safety enhancements and create opportunities for multimodal transportation.

Expand workforce development opportunities

$1.9 million to Alexandria Technical & Community College to support the pilot platform for a Global Military Learning Network., and increasing the number of military graduates available to meet workforce needs.

Strengthen childcare facility infrastructure

$418,000 will go towards remodeling a high-quality building that has been donated to Prairie Pines Childcare Center.

Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months.