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Sen. Klobuchar Highlights Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Economic Development & Health Care Issues During Southwest Minnesota Tour

Klobuchar Visits 8 Local Communities and FarmFest

August 8, 2007

Following a tour of communities in southwest Minnesota and participation in the annual FarmFest event, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar said she appreciated the opportunity to discuss a range of renewable energy, agriculture, economic development and health care issues with local residents.

Klobuchar visited eight counties in southwest Minnesota, leading up to her participation in the annual Farmfest Forum near Redwood Falls on Tuesday, August 7.  Klobuchar made visits to Marshall, Willmar, Granite Falls, Redwood Falls, Madison, Porter, Renville and Sleepy Eye.
 
“This was a valuable opportunity for me to meet with local area leaders and residents,” said Klobuchar.  “There are so many promising developments in this region of our state.  Building on abundant natural resources and the talent of its people, this region is already a national leader in biofuels and wind power.  It’s clear that southwest Minnesota is on the leading edge of a renewable energy revolution that holds so much promise for both Minnesota’s and America’s future.”
 
Klobuchar met with local officials in Madison to discuss the community wind turbine project and the renewable energy opportunities in the area.  In Porter, she toured SMI & Hydraulics, Inc., a manufacturer of wind towers.

In Granite Falls, Klobuchar met with local leaders at Fagen Inc., a leading designer and builder of ethanol plants.  The meeting was followed by a tour of the Granite Falls Energy ethanol plant.

In Marshall, Klobuchar met with local leaders on economic development trends and issues.  In Willmar, she had a meeting on rural health care issues and toured Rice Memorial Hospital.

Klobuchar met with agriculture leaders at the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative in Renville, as well as at farms in Sleepy Eye and Lincoln County, for discussions about agriculture issues, including the 2007 Farm Bill.

At the FarmFest 2007 event near Redwood Falls, Klobuchar participated in a forum with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman and Reps. Collin Peterson and Tim Walz.
 
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