Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Representative Pete Stauber Announce Grant to Provide High-Speed Internet in Pine County
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN08) announced a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide high-speed, reliable internet to 38 businesses and 147 farms in Pine County. Over 1,000 people in socially vulnerable communities will have direct access to the internet with modern fiber optics running right to their front door. “We should be able to bring high-speed internet to every family in Minnesota— regardless of their zip code,” said Klobuchar. “This funding builds on broadband upgrades going on across our state including Pine County. As co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, I’ll keep working across the aisle to make sure all Minnesotans can reliably access the high-speed internet they need.” “Internet access is not just a luxury in the 21st century, it’s a necessity,” saidSenator Smith. “In Minnesota and across the country, people in rural areas, small towns, and Tribal communities need access to reliable, high-speed internet. Investing in broadband infrastructure with the ReConnect Grant Program will help connect communities in every part of the country to high-speed internet and strengthen communities from the ground up.” Too many rural communities across Minnesota still do not have access to high-speed internet and have been left behind in today’s technology-driven economy. As the Representative of a largely rural area, I am proud to help deliver federal funding to ensure the residents, businesses, and farmers of Pine County have the broadband infrastructure necessary to compete and thrive, ” said Representative Stauber. The investment comes from USDA
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Clean Energy Projects for Minnesota Farms, Small Businesses in Rural Areas
[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced funding awards for 76 farms and small businesses across rural and Greater Minnesota to install clean energy technology. This round of funding for Minnesota totals $7,891,608. This year alone, Minnesota has seen over 250 clean energy projects in small towns and rural communities. The funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. The projects are possible thanks to the Renewable Energy for America (REAP) program, which Senator Smith championed and strengthened in the Inflation Reduction Act, which both Senators supported. “The clean energy transition is happening; the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,” said Senator Smith. “But as we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits. That’s one reason why projects funded by REAP are so important. These investments will save farms and small businesses across Minnesota thousands of dollars a year in energy costs while helping reduce harmful emissions.” “Investing in long-term energy is a win-win for rural customers and businesses,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, we’re taking a big step toward deploying new energy technologies to power rural communities across Minnesota for decades to come.” Total Investment: $7,891,608 Total in Energy Savings (kWh/Year): 98,240,418 Total in Energy Savings ($/Year): $2,583,511 The list of projects from this announcement, broken down by region, can be found here and below: Location
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $21,300,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The airport will use the money to improve passenger boarding bridges, rehabilitate roofs, and increase energy efficiency. “Investments in our airports serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve the travel experience and energy efficiency of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport while also creating good paying jobs.” “The Minneapolis-St. Paul
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Glencoe Municipal Airport Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $712,500 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Glencoe Municipal Airport. The airport will use the money to design and construct a new general aviation terminal. This project will replace an existing facility outdated that was constructed in 1970. “Investments in our airports serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve the travel experience at the Glencoe Municipal Airport by supporting the construction
U.S Senator Tina Smith Applauds Biden Administration’s Rule Implementing Senate-Passed Pension Relief Stopping Drastic Cuts for Over 22,000 Minnesotans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/6/22]— Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) celebrated a key step in implementing pension relief funding to reverse pension cuts for thousands of Minnesotans who earned pensions through union jobs. The latest rule, issued by the federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, marks the completion of multiemployer pension system fixes which will bolster the solvency of the multiemployer pension system and prevent drastic cuts to pensions. The multiemployer pension relief package included in the American Rescue Plan stems from Sen. Smith’s push to help the more than 1 million workers and retirees nationwide—including more than 22,000 Minnesotans—who had been facing deep cuts
Klobuchar, Smith Lead Entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation in Urging Biden Administration to Approve Minnesota Request for Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) led the entire Minnesota Congressional delegation in urging the Biden administration to approve Minnesota’s requests for Major Disaster Declarations to assist communities recovering from historic storms and flooding. “We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s requests for Major Disaster Declarations under the Stafford Act to assist communities that are working to recover from severe weather this spring, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, high winds, and flooding. These natural disaster events have caused significant damage in our state, and we ask that you quickly grant approval
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