Klobuchar, Smith Working to Secure Funding for Projects for St. Cloud and Surrounding Communities in Year End Budget

The Senate and House Appropriations Committees Advanced Funding Bills with Resources for Minnesota Projects Secured and Backed by Klobuchar, Smith

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Fiscal Year 2025 federal budget bills that passed the Senate and House Appropriations Committees includes projects to benefit St. Cloud and surrounding communities. These projects would invest in public infrastructure, emergency services, and workforce development. On September 26, the Senate and House agreed to avoid a shutdown and continue to negotiate on a final budget proposal. Klobuchar and Smith will fight to ensure these projects are included in that final year-end bill.

"From upgrading critical infrastructure to investing first responders, we worked with local leaders to secure resources important to St. Cloud and surrounding communities" said Klobuchar. "Once completed, these projects will improve quality of life for Minnesotans."

"Those closest to an issue have the best solutions, and these projects were developed and designed to fit the specific needs of St. Cloud," said Smith. "From expanding opportunities for students at SCTCC or upgrading our water infrastructure, to renovating the Cold Spring Fire Station, fixing Town Line and Heatherwood Roads, or helping Habitat for Humanity build more affordable housing, these projects will help strengthen our communities and I look forward to working with Senator Klobuchar to get them passed and signed into law."

Klobuchar and Smith have successfully secured the following projects in the Appropriations Committee-approved bill:

• $1,136,000 for the St. Cloud Technical & Community College to develop an Aircraft Maintenance Technician Certified Instructional Program Expansion.
• $2,000,000 for the City of Big Lake's Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN).
• $7,000,000 for North Central Watab Watershed Flood Mitigation projects. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN).
• $7,000,000 for the Heatherwood Road Infrastructure and Multi-Modal Improvements Project in St. Cloud. The project extends a major regional roadway and trail, replaces an out of service bridge, and installs new water and sewer infrastructure. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN).
• $2,000,000 for renovations at the Cold Spring Fire Station. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN).
• $1,500,000 for the reconstruction of Town Line Road to meet current design standards for traffic levels, including six-foot paved shoulders, right turn lanes and safer roadsides and improving structural capacity to 10-ton axle weights. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN).
• $920,000 for the City of Lake Henry for wastewater infrastructure improvements. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN).
• $750,000 for the City of Princeton's Mille Lacs County Joint Radio Simulcast Equipment Project.
• $420,000 for Central MN Habitat for Humanity to build infrastructure for affordable housing projects.

Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called "Congressionally Directed Spending" (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state.

The projects are expected to pass the Senate over the next several months.

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