USDA Announces $79 Million in Investments for Projects in Northern Minnesota

"Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Rural Development is focused on improving essential infrastructure for rural Minnesotans," said Ditlevson. "These projects help restore prosperity and will enhance services to residents, businesses, and visitors to these northern Minnesota communities."

Projects receiving investments from USDA Rural Development are:

• City of Bemidji, Minnesota
  USDA is providing a $450,000 grant to the city of Bemidji for renovations to its Fire Station #1. The renovations will create private bunk rooms and new shower facilities for firefighters within the existing sleeping and locker rooms. The improvements will enhance privacy, provide accessible shower facilities, and modernize the sleeping and locker room areas. These upgrades will ensure safer, more comfortable, and compliant living quarters, that will support firefighter readiness and the quality of emergency services provided to the 15,114 city of Bemidji residents.

  "Receiving this funding will have a real impact on our fire department," said Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood. "It helps us support the firefighters our community depends on, while giving our staff a place to rest and recover so they can respond safely and effectively. I am very appreciative of State Director Ditlevson taking the time to visit northern Minnesota and see those needs firsthand."

• City of Bigfork, Minnesota
  USDA is providing a $708,000 loan and $249,000 grant for rehabilitation of the city's existing water treatment plant and water tower. The project includes making improvements to the existing water treatment plant, constructing a new well, rehabilitating the existing 50,000-gallon elevated water storage tank, and making waterline improvements along portions of six streets. This project will improve water distribution to a population of 400 residents in Itasca County.
  
• Greater Bemidji, Inc., Bemidji, Minnesota
  USDA is providing a $648,916 intermediary relending loan to assist new and existing businesses in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard and Cass counties. In the first year, Greater Bemidji will assist five businesses that will create 56 jobs. Through the Intermediary Relending Program, Greater Bemidji will be able to assist additional businesses in the future once the initial loans are repaid.
  
• Lake Country Power, Mountain Iron, Minnesota
  USDA is providing Lake County Power with a $77.0 million loan to improve or replace more than 600 miles of electrical line. The funding will help connect 1,700 new members to its electrical system and build 93 miles of new line. The project will replace old electrical poles, install equipment to improve system performance and reliability, and deploy smart grid technologies.

"I am grateful to President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for their strong commitment to rural Minnesota," said Congressman Pete Stauber. "This money will deliver critical upgrades to water, electrical, business, and emergency infrastructure that our small communities depend on to grow and thrive. I look forward to seeing these investments benefit my constituents for generations to come."

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs to promote rural prosperity. The commitment and resources we bring to rural communities help drive economic security and prosperity. Our programs expand access to high-speed internet, electric, and transportation infrastructure, and support business growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov/mn .