Walz announces over $4.28 million in federal grants

In order to grow its economy, Southern Minnesota needs to upgrade its infrastructure.  One piece of the puzzle is air travel. The Walz congressional office released this press release about federal grants to area airports late this afternoon:

Today, Representative Tim Walz announced over $4.28 million in federal grants to southern Minnesota airports.

"These grants will improve the quality and the safety of the airports in southern Minnesota," Walz said.  "This funding will help our regional airports attract business and keep their operations as safe and efficient as possible."

* Albert Lea received $1,257,345 to relocate a road due to the coming construction of the runway.
* Quentin Aanenson Field in Luverne received $736,435 to construct phase 3 of the runway which will increase safety.
* Springfield Municipal received $363,117 to construct a parallel taxiway to the runway which will enhance safety by eliminating back taxiing.  This funding will also help construct a building to store snow removal equipment.
* Owatonna Degner Regional received $1,707,787 to construct a crosswind runway which will increase safety.
* Mankato Regional received $217,103 to update the airport master plan and help acquire new land to increase safety on runway approaches.

Comments

[MinnesotaCentral]

A little Sunlight has fallen on Bluestem Prairie as your post was highlighted in Nisha Thompson's Sunlight Foundation blog.
www. sunlightfoundation
.com/node/4690

The Sunlight Foundation advocates transparencies in government, so your recognition is mark of your GREAT EFFORTS to keep First District voters informed.

THANKS !

Ollie says: I was simply puzzled by the link. Walz announced the grants, he didn't "get" them for the airports as the Sunglight blogger put it, so I was puzzled what the Sunlight's point was.

The group hasn't mentioned that he released his list of earmarks and dollar amounts and posted it on his web site (only one in Minnesota), nor that he is a co-sponsor of legislation to reform earmarks. They seem like a gotcha group, rather than a reform group.