歪歪漫画

BEMIDJI 鈥� Northern Township is expected to receive $1,000,000 in federal funding for the engineering, construction and installation of a new sanitary sewer system.

The funds were announced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith from legislation that has passed the U.S. House of Representatives that includes dollars for the Bemidji area.

The legislation, which is heading to the U.S. Senate for final passage, includes the $1,000,000 for Northern Township alongside $200,000 for the Nameless Coalition for the Homeless to help update its shelters.

Local

Bemidji's New Day Center secures $683,000 grant for renovations

The New Day Center continues to be an integral part of Bemidji鈥檚 community services and recently received a $683,000 grant to help finish its renovations.

Dec 31, 1969

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By  Nicole Ronchetti

鈥淔rom upgrading our critical infrastructure to extending support to those without housing, these projects will address key issues impacting Minnesotans in Beltrami County,鈥� Klobuchar said.

Northern Township has been working toward creating its own water and sewer system since Ruttger鈥檚 Birchmont Lodge raised concerns with its private system to the city of Bemidji in 2021.

Plans initially included a partnership between Northern Township and the city, but these fell through in 2023.

Since then, Northern Township has made progress with its own project, finding funding and potential property to install a pond-type system on the east side of Lake Bemidji.

Meanwhile, the Nameless Coalition for the Homeless has been working to update and maintain its two facilities in Bemidji , the New Day Center and the Wolfe Center, respectively.

鈥淎ging infrastructure and lack of affordable housing are two of the biggest concerns I hear from Minnesotans in the Bemidji area,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚mproving the area鈥檚 homeless shelters, and investing in our infrastructure is going to have a real impact on the lives of Minnesotans in the area.鈥�

Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called Congressionally Directed Spending. During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state.