Senators Klobuchar, Smith Say $75K Federal Investment Will Target South Central Minnesota Manufacturers Hit Hard by Pandemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/26/21]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) say a $74,552 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant will help manufacturers and communities in South Central Minnesota recover from economic losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The investment will go to the Region 9 Development Commission (RNDC) as it establishes a disaster and economic recovery plan to address the manufacturing and job losses in local communities. Manufacturing accounts for more than 22 percent of the jobs in the region and the funds will help RNDC assist local manufacturers as they recover from COVID-19.

“We know that our state’s manufacturers are hurting right now. This investment will provide communities in South Central Minnesota with much-needed relief,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “I’m committed to getting Minnesotans back to work, and this will help us do just that.”

“This investment by the EDA will not only help employers and communities in the nine-county region recover from the current pandemic, but also help them prepare for economic difficulties in the future,” said Sen. Smith. “Smart investments like these will help RNDC ensure economic stability and resilience for these Minnesota manufacturers and communities into the future.”

The nine counties included in RNDC are Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan counties.

en_USEnglish