On a fact-finding mission to learn about the needs of the Sleepy Eye area, Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited with Mayor Jim Broich on Saturday. During their short discussion, Broich laid out several items of concern to the City of Sleepy Eye.
•Broich pointed out that Sleepy Eye will be losing almost $400,000 of the $1,400,000 in local government aid they normally receive. This is a 30 percent reduction in aid and a 12.5 percent reduction in total revenue for 2010.
•Broich also brought up the downtown challenges faced by rural America these days. He suggested that stimulus money should be used to aid new niche/service businesses and downtown rehabilitation in small towns.
•Klobuchar and Broich went over plans the city has to develop the Snow Farm area. This project will cost about $3,000,000, and he requested help from the USDA.
•As the next phase of the bike trail begins to take shape, safety concerns are paramount for pedestrians along Hwy. 4. Broich requested aid from the state to help pay for part of this $1,000,000 project.
In addition to discussing with Klobuchar the needs the city has, Broich also shared many of Sleepy Eye’s successes. He pointed out that in 2008, the city completed both the aquatic center and bike trail.
Broich also mentioned industries which are expanding in Sleepy Eye.
•Norwood Promotional Products, which has recently been bought out by BIC, is currently considering a 100,000 sq. ft. expansion to its current facility.
•Del Monte Foods, which employs over 600 area residents, is currently looking for a partner in biomass energy production.
•Haala Industries needs highway and concrete work to stay active. They feel Minnesota is deferring too much highway construction.
•Christensen Farms is one of the top 10 pork producers in the world. Schwartz Farms is also quite large.
•Agriculture in the Sleepy Eye area has enjoyed four or five good years. Both land prices and rents are very high. Dairy production in the area is still good, but the milk price has been suffering.
All in all, Broich was quite happy meeting with Klobuchar. Although the meeting was short, the senator promised to look into ways her office can help.
“It shows that she cares about rural America,” said Broich. “She has concerns about our well-being. She was on a fact-finding mission and looking into things for the future.”
Klobuchar also expressed interest in visiting Sleepy Eye again in the future for a longer period of time. Broich assured her that there would be plenty for her to see and do in the community.
Sleepy Eye, Minn. —
