Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Secure Disaster Relief for Minnesota Farmers, Families, and Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN), ranking member and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that an expected $2 billion in agriculture disaster relief and farmer aid will soon be made available for Minnesota producers, small businesses, and families impacted by extreme storms and flooding last year. After record water levels across the state wreaked havoc on producers, small businesses and homeowners, both Senators worked to make sure the needs of Minnesota were addressed in the Congress’s comprehensive disaster aid package, the American Relief Act, 2025,which was passed and signed into law at the end of last month. The legislation authorizes additional support through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for farmers who experienced torrential flooding and need financial assistance to recoup from losses. It also replenished FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund for individual and public assistance towards recovery and support for businesses through the U.S. Small Business Administration to help those recovering from extreme weather disasters, as well as an estimated $28 million for repairs to damaged highways in Minnesota. “Last spring, farmers, producers, small business owners, and families across Minnesota were impacted by devastating flooding,” said Klobuchar. “We have worked to ensure these Minnesotans have the support they need to rebuild. Now, our state will receive additional assistance as we continue these efforts.” “Natural disasters like the flooding we experienced this summer can turn families’ worlds upside down, especially for the farmers and ranchers who were hit hard this year,” said Senator Smith. “I made it a priority to get
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for South Broadway Avenue in Rochester
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $2,500,000 for the South Broadway Avenue project planning in Rochester. The grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will support the study, design, and engineering of a Complete Street and pedestrian and bike overpass along the approximate half-mile corridor on South Broadway Avenue between 4th Street SE and 9th Street SE. “Broadway Avenue is the main north-south access to downtown Rochester and this federal support will improve the safety of this major corridor,” said Klobuchar. “By building an overpass, we will make Broadway Avenue safer for pedestrians, bikers, drivers, and all travelers.” “If we’re going to build an economy that works for everyone, then we need to prioritize investments in vital infrastructure, like roads and bridges, that connect people with opportunities all across the state,” said Senator Smith. “This project will make South Broadway Avenue safer and more accessible for Rochester drivers, cyclists, transit users and pedestrians alike.” RAISE grants can be used by communities across the country for a wide variety of transportation projects with significant local or regional impact. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported and was signed into law in 2021, delivered a 50 percent increase in the amount of available funding for the RAISE grants, as well as resources for improving the state’s roads, bridges, public transportation, and water infrastructure. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Secures $3.6+ Million in Funding for Special Projects to the Twin Cities
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/18/22]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced the funding of several special projects in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul metro area. She has worked to bring $3,699,000 in total across five projects, which vary from Native American health care and job training, expanding access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) experiences for young students, support for students with disabilities, and economic development for the African American Rondo community in Saint Paul. “All of these projects are critical investments in communities across the Twin Cities metro area,” said Sen. Smith. “Investing in Native health care and job training, expanding
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
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