Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Significant Federal Infrastructure Funding for Two Harbors Helgeson Municipal Airport
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for Two Harbors Helgeson Municipal Airport, which will contribute to the construction of a general aviation terminal. The grant provides $1,140,000 to fund the construction of their new terminal, replacing the existing 640 square foot terminal built in 1976. The grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported. “This major grant is going to be a gamechanger for the airport,” said Klobuchar. “This new terminal will upgrade the travel experience at Two Harbors Helgeson Municipal Airport for passengers and bring more economic activity to the area.” “The terminal at TWM airport hasn’t been updated for over 40 years, and I’m glad to see the airport receive funding to begin construction on a brand-new terminal that will bring a safer, faster passenger experience. Thanks to President Biden’s historic infrastructure package, we are finally bringing our air travel infrastructure into the 21st century, so Minnesotans traveling can focus on the important thing – getting where they need to go,” said Senator Smith. This funding is from the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Funding to Upgrade, Relocate Duluth International Airport’s Air Traffic Control Tower
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced she helped secure funding for Duluth International Airport’s Air Traffic Control Tower relocation project. The $10 million in funding will support relocating the non-standard tower currently at the airport, a tower which was commissioned in 1963. The airport coordinates over 67,000 arrivals/departures per year, contributes over $700 million to northern Minnesota’s economy, and supports over 6,000 jobs in the area. “The Duluth International Airport provides critical service to northern Minnesota, from commercial service to cargo, military and medical flights, yet it’s operating with a 70-year-old tower – the third oldest in the nation,” said Senator Smith. “This investment will make DLH safer and more efficient. It’s exactly the kind of project we aimed to support through the President’s infrastructure law.” In 2023, Smith joined the Minnesota delegation in sending a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting that they expedite reviews and approvals required for Duluth International Airport (DLH) to apply for grant funding to build a new air traffic control tower. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester Introduce Plan to Make Public Facility Infrastructure Better Prepared for Public Health Emergencies
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/24/20]—As the country continues to confront the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced legislation to make public facilities both more energy efficient and better prepared for future public health emergencies. The Open Back Better Act would provide stimulus funding for energy efficiency and resiliency retrofit projects in schools, medical facilities, government buildings, education institutions, libraries, and more. Sen. Smith and Rep. Rochester said their legislation promotes environmental justice by prioritizing low-income, COVID-19 impacted communities. Funded energy efficiency and resiliency retrofits could include project components designed to improve safety and indoor air quality. This is particularly important for facilities re-opening before there is a vaccine for COVID-19. “Now, more than
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Push on USDA to More Quickly Allocate COVID-19 Relief Funds to Bolster Rural Broadband Access
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/23/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) led her Senate colleagues in calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to speed up spending the resources allocated within COVID-19 relief legislation to expand broadband access for Minnesota families and people across the country. In her letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue this week, Sen. Smith and her colleagues point out that Congress recognized the urgent need for broadband access in rural communities, and made sure the CARES Act included $100 million for the ReConnect Program. However, much of the allocated funds are still unspent. Sen. Smith’s letter was also signed by
Klobuchar, Smith Announce $1.25 Million for Public Transit Infrastructure Funding between St. Paul and White Bear Lake
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Metropolitan Council and Metro Transit $1,250,000 for public transit infrastructure to support development along the 15-mile Rush Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, a future 15-mile transit route with 21 stations between Union Depot in Lowertown Saint Paul and downtown White Bear Lake that is anticipated to begin service in 2026. The funds will be used to plan with communities for future development along the route. “This investment will support development along the Rush Line, create good-paying jobs, and spur additional investments
U.S. Senators Smith, Markey, Booker & Harris to Introduce Legislation to Make Juneteenth a Federal Holiday
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/19/20]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) announced they will introduce the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which would designate Juneteenth as a federal holiday. “Juneteenth” is observed on June 19, and it commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The senators’ legislation also calls for establishing a Juneteenth Federal Holiday Commission to encourage ceremonies and activities in celebration of the holiday throughout the United States. On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which announced that, in
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