By Rep. Paul Anderson,
Usually, in a typical year, we are praying for rain as we head into mid-July. Not so this year as moisture has been generous over our state, and way too much in some areas, especially those to our south. The I-90 corridor that stretches across the southern part of Minnesota has been the focal point for heavy rains seemingly all spring and summer. This latest batch of storms over the Fourth of July holiday dumped up to 10 inches in areas that were already saturated and couldn’t hold any more. The result was severe flooding across large areas and numerous drowned-out spots in farm fields. Saw one photo of a tractor in a field with water up to its axles!
Gov. Mark Dayton has issued a disaster declaration for 36 counties, most of which are in the southern part of the state, although several other counties, including Stearns, were also included. This disaster status makes residents in those counties eligible for low- or no-interest loans to help with recovery efforts. Farmers in these areas can use a zero-percent Disaster Loan Program offered by the Minnesota Rural Finance Authority (RFA). The program is designed to help cover clean-up cost, repair and replacement costs not covered by insurance.
To inquire about the program, contact your lender or call the RFA at 651-201-6004. Information can also be obtained from the RFA Website.
+++++
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week granted a certificate of need to Enbridge for the construction of a replacement for its Line 3 oil pipeline across northern Minnesota. This is a major step in the long process, but additional permits are still required before construction can actually begin. The current Line 3 pipeline, which carries Canadian crude to Superior, Wis., is currently running at about 50 percent of capacity because of its age.
On a related note, a news release from the American Petroleum Institute (API) reported than US imports of Canadian crude hit their highest level in June since 2010. The release went on to say that thanks, in part to the shale industry, energy came in ahead of all employment sectors in the US economy, including technology and health care, as the highest paying industry in 2017. The median worker compensation for the year was approximately $123,000.
***
Two cities in our district, Melrose and Lowry, have been notified by state agencies that they have been awarded grants. The application from Melrose to the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for a 2018 Minnesota Small Cities Development Program Grant has been approved. The funding level is in the amount of $315,600, pending the expected award from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In the case of Lowry, that city was approved for funding of a proposed 50,000-gallon water tower. The Public Facilities Authority (PFA) grant is for $535,080. In addition, the city was also awarded a low interest, 1-percent loan in the amount of nearly $134,000.
***
Summer celebrations are in full swing around the area. Freeport and Brooten have events scheduled for this weekend and Sauk Centre the following weekend. County fairs in our district also kick off next weekend with the Pope County Fair in Glenwood. Thanks to those who volunteer their time to make sure these local celebrations and fairs can take place.
-30-