Congressman Tim Walz Recognized for National Economic Development Leadership

Since his first term began in 2007, Congressman Walz has championed rural economic development that help create jobs and bolster Southern Minnesota's infrastructure.  Just last week, district media carried news of a grant and loan package secured by the Red Rock Rural Water System.

His work is attracting notice, and he's just received a national award for it: the 2010 NADO National Leadership Award. According to the agenda for the organization's annual Washington Conference, Walz received the award at a breakfast presentation. The agenda item notes that Walz was recognized specifically for work on the House Transportation Committee:

Congressman Walz in a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the primary author pending of legislation to authorize and establish federally-recognized Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs)

According to the agenda, NADO members will be presenting  2010 NADO Congressional Partnership Awards to 50 Senators and 71 representatives during Capitol Hill visits. In Minnesota's congressional delegation, t Senator Amy Klobuchar, Rep Jim Oberstar and Rep. Collin Peterson are being recognized as partners.

The group sent Bluestem a press release about the National Leadership award:

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN) was presented with the 2010 NADO National Leadership Award today. Congressman Walz was selected based on his outstanding leadership and support of federal policies and programs that support regional and local economic competitiveness initiatives, especially in small metropolitan and rural regions.

The award was presented by Michael Norton, President of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and Jay Trusty, NADO Board Member and Executive Director of the Southwest Regional Development Commission (Slayton, MN) during the association’s Washington Policy Conference in Arlington, Virginia. Representatives of Minnesota’s Regional Development Commissions also participated in the award presentation, including Tim Strand and Reggie Edwards of the Region Nine Development Commission (Mankato), Gary Sorenson of the Southwest RDC and Pat Henderson of the Arrowhead RDC (Duluth). [emphasis added]

Trusty explained, “Congressman Walz has displayed an unwavering commitment to providing new economic opportunities for our nation’s local communities, especially small urban and rural regions of Minnesota. He understands that federal programs often provide the seed capital or gap financing that spark new private investments in distressed and underserved regions.”

“Congressman Walz has been a leading advocate of strategic federal investments in critical infrastructure, workforce development and entrepreneurial support,” continued Trusty. “In particular, we are truly thankful for his leadership on regional transportation issues. He understands the importance of state and local officials working together to develop and maintain a modern, multi-modal transportation system.”

The NADO National Leadership Award is presented annually to a member of Congress who has made significant contributions in promoting regional economic development and job creation initiatives throughout small metropolitan and rural America. Previous winners include U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln, Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and U.S. Representatives Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Alan Mollohan (D-WV), James Oberstar (D-MN) and Harold Rogers (R-KY).

Photo (updated): Walz honored at NADO breakfast. Supplied photo.

Comments

[Alec]

DC Political REport, http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/MN.htm, says that the 1st is a target of the NRCC. Is this true? It certainly would be nice for them to waste their money. I didn't think there really were any credible candidates?
Thanks,
Alec

[Sally Jo Sorensen]

That site doesn't seem to be up-to-date. The "target" status is noted as coming from Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball. On Sabato's site, that's a Summer 2009 list.

The NRCC is doing some robocalling today, but the GOP candidates themselves aren't getting much traction, even among GOP endorsing delegates. from what I hear.

If NRCC wants to spend money making robocalls (illegal in MN) and irritating Southern Minnesotans in the absence of a viable candidate, whatever on that.