Community Project Funding is an opportunity that allows Members of Congress to advocate for projects in their districts that will help constituents and provide a direct benefit to the quality of life. This allows Members to direct money in the most responsible way possible, instead of abdicating total allocation power to unelected bureaucratic officials.
Transparency is of utmost importance to the Community Project Funding process. Below is a list of the projects I requested for Fiscal Year 2027 and all necessary transparency documents to accompany these requests.
It is an honor to serve Western Minnesota and to advocate for projects that will help support and improve our way of life!
The projects I have requested funding for in FY27 are as follows:
Project Title: Akeley Drinking Water & Sanitary Sewer Systems
Proposed Recipient: City of Akeley
Requested Amount: $1,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
This project will perform critical improvements to the City of Akeley’s drinking water and sanitary sewer systems. The City’s drinking water system will be improved by replacing several key components of the water tower that were damaged by corrosion as well as 5 blocks of 1940’s-era cast iron pipe in the water distribution system. Additionally, the project will install a backup power source at the City’s supply wells and water treatment plant. The sanitary sewer system will be improved by stabilizing sloughing banks and replacing inefficient and outdated pumping systems at Akeley’s wastewater treatment lagoons.
Project Title: Bird Island Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Bird Island
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The City of Bird Island is looking to undergo a city-wide drinking water distribution replacement project. Currently the city's drinking water system has over 50,000 LF of cast iron mains that affect over 30 city blocks. These materials are not up to the MN Department of Health's standards and are leading to the pollution of the community's drinking water supply. These materials are allowing/causing lead to seep into the system and creating a city-wide health and sanitation issue. The city is in dire need of large watermain distribution replacement to provide safe and clean drinking water for its residents, business, and visitors. This project has been broken up into a total of 4 phases that all accumulate to the total project cost.
Project Title: Felton Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Boyd
Requested Amount: $1,710,600
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The City of Boyd is looking to undergo a city-wide infrastructure improvement project that addresses their water loss/quality issues as well as address localized flooding issues in the community through the replacement and rehabilitation of their drinking and wastewater systems. These improvements would be aimed at their water meters, water distribution, and lift station.
Project Title: Flensburg Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Flensburg
Requested Amount: $1,750,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The sanitary sewer system was constructed in the early 1950s and is composed of vitrified clay pipe (VCP) sewer mains, modular block manholes, and “break-in” style sewer service connections. Televising reports show the pipe to be in poor condition, with many sags, cracks, offset joints, root intrusions, inflow and infiltration (I/I), and several spots where the pipe has moderately collapsed. In the last several years, five of the 45 homes and businesses in town have reported a sanitary sewer backup because of the poor condition of the sewer mains. The project includes replacing portions of the existing system including sanitary sewer pipe, manholes, service laterals from the new mains to the edge of ROW, and to make improvements to the existing meter building. Replacing the existing sanitary sewer would resolve the operational and health and sanitary issues with the existing system.
Project Title: Hutchinson Health Hospital
Proposed Recipient: City of Hutchinson
Requested Amount: $652,643
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
Rural residents face a significantly higher age-adjusted death rate than their urban neighbors — a stark reminder that where someone lives can determine whether they live. This funding would create a health care simulation center. As a shared community resource, the hub will support training for hospitals, first responders, community colleges, and other healthcare-related entities across central Minnesota. Through the simulation of interdisciplinary care to infrequent patient care scenarios, such as high-risk obstetrics or mass casualty response, the hub will decrease avoidable errors, translating into safer care, fewer disruptive transfers to larger hospitals, and stronger local capacity.
Project Title: Fulda Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Fulda
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The proposed project is phase 2 of a multiple phased project. The purpose of this project is to improve the existing drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure systems for the City of Fulda, Minnesota. This project is vital to Minnesota and our community by ensuring safe, reliable drinking water, reducing wastewater treatment violations, and protecting public health.
Project Title: Lake Titlow Dam Replacement
Proposed Recipient: City of Gaylord
Requested Amount: $600,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
Lake Titlow lake abuts the northern city limits of the city of Gaylord in Sibley County. The City of Gaylord is the owner of the dam on Lake Titlow. The City of Gaylord plans to replace the existing dam which according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 8/1/2023 Dam Inspection Report (enclosed hereto) is in poor and failing condition.
The existing Lake Titlow dam is not an engineered designed structure with a uniform elevation or flow control. Rather it is a collection of rock and concrete debris, assembled haphazardly to block the flow of water out of Lake Titlow. There are several forms of materials to include discarded curb & gutter, concrete house steps, and various forms of broken slabs of concrete foundation material. Some concrete has exposed rebar. There is no uniform pattern to the dam structure, nor is there any side bank stabilization to prevent erosion or the spread of the outflow from cutting new outlet channels.
Lake Titlow is approximately 840 acres. The Lake Titlow watershed is approximately 35,000 acres of predominately agricultural land use, which discharges into the lake through three open channel ditches. The watershed, combined with an unrestricted outlet, results in a condition in which the incoming flows match outlet discharge rates and water elevation fluctuates very little except during spring ice thaw and heavy rain periods. The maximum depth of the lake is 4 feet and an average depth of 2.5 feet. Typically, stormwater runoff from agricultural land is more intense in the spring and late fall when crop cover is at a minimum.
The City of Gaylord plans to remove the old dam concrete debris and rock materials. Planned is to design a steel pile dam replacement structure. The poor soil conditions will require deep foundations (piling) to support a concrete structure. With the sheet pile weir a sluice gate or a section of stop logs will be installed to be utilized to manage the lake level and downstream water flow. The dam replacement project is planned to be completed in 2028.
Project Title: Murdock Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Murdock
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
City of Murdock needs improvements to their wastewater collection and treatment facilities due to age, corrosion, and undersized. The proposed improvements include installing new sanitary sewer pipe, service laterals, life station rehab, and pond expansion.
Project Title: Moorhead Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Moorhead
Requested Amount: $3,760,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
1 of 2 The 34 St sanitary sewer interceptor system, along the eastern edge of the City, provides service to a large area of existing development and future growth within the City of Moorhead and the City of Dilworth. The area served includes industrial, commercial, and residential development. Sanitary Lift Stations #38 and #39 are mission-critical pump stations along this system. Both lift stations are in need of asset preservation and renewal including new pumps, new controls, energy efficiency enhancements, and emergency backup power improvements to ensure reliable service into the future.
Project Title: Green Lake and Spicer Water Tower Rehabilitation Project
Proposed Recipient: City of Spicer
Requested Amount: $1,200,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The project will rehabilitate two aging water towers supplying drinking water and fire protection to the residents within the City of Spicer, around Green Lake, and tourists.
Project Title: Otter Tail County Highway 128 Reconstruction
Proposed Recipient: Ottertail County
Requested Amount: $4,900,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The roadway will be widened to include six-foot paved shoulders, improving safety and accommodating significant bicycle and pedestrian use along the corridor, while minimizing environmental impacts. Structural capacity will be enhanced to support 10-ton axle weights, improving durability and freight movement. Road grade adjustments will address seasonal high-water impacts, increasing reliability and reducing maintenance issues. Design improvements include a more forgiving clear zone, along with updated signing and striping throughout the corridor.
Project Title: Revere Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Revere
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The City of Revere’s storm sewer system is undersized and deteriorated due to its age. It is unreliable and puts residents at greater risk of localized flooding.
Project Title: Raymond Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Raymond
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
Raymond is facing a critical challenge with its aging water infrastructure. The City of Raymond is located in Kandiyohi County approximately 10 miles southwest of the City of Willmar. The public water system consists of three municipal wells, a water treatment plant, an elevated storage tank, and a distribution system that serves most developed properties within the corporate city limits. The City's existing 33,000-gallon water tower was constructed in 1910 and is representative of the hemispherical bottom type of elevated steel water tower with a riveted tank, conical roof, and a four-post, lattice-leg construction. In 2020, the MDH stated the average daily water usage greatly exceeds guidance for minimum daily storage capacity and recommended the City develop a plan to address future drinking water storage needs. The proposed project will include building a new 100,000-gallon water tower, which is appropriately sized for a community of this population. The tower will meet MDH design requirements and OSHA standards in addition to meeting the new NSF 600 standards for protective coatings. In March of 2023, the City of Raymond experienced a massive derailment—an event that highlighted the need for strong, resilient infrastructure in the community. Emergency response efforts rely heavily on a functioning water system, and the weaknesses in our infrastructure put public safety at risk. Without significant investment, these problems will only grow worse and more costly. The City of Raymond is committed to addressing these challenges, to help modernize our water infrastructure, ensuring safe, clean, and reliable water for our residents, businesses, and emergency services. Phase one of infrastructure improvements will include a new water tower, menage, and a new raw water line.
Project Title: Red Lake Falls Water and Waste Improvement
Proposed Recipient: City of Red Lake Falls
Requested Amount: $6,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The proposed project will rehabilitate critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in the City of Red Lake Falls while reconstructing associated streets, curbs, and gutters. Much of the City’s water distribution system was installed decades ago and has exceeded its useful life, with some pipes more than 70 years old. The project will replace aging and undersized water mains to improve system reliability, restore adequate water pressure, and provide better redundancy within the distribution system. Sewer system improvements will include replacing deteriorating sanitary sewer lines that currently experience infiltration and inflow, which places unnecessary strain on the wastewater treatment system. These upgrades will reduce the frequency of pipe failures and emergency repairs while improving the overall performance of the City’s utility systems. Street reconstruction will occur in conjunction with utility replacement to restore safe driving surfaces and protect the newly installed infrastructure.
Project Title: Tracy Phase E Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Tracy
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The City of Tracy is looking to undergo a city-wide utility project due to the age and condition of its current facilities. The proposed improvements are aimed at addressing health and sanitation concerns, as well as ensure water quality. The project consists of drinking, waste, and stormwater improvements:
DRINKING WATER includes replacement of roughly 50,000 LF of the existing distribution system as well as rehabilitating their well house and water treatment plant.
WASTEWATER includes the installation of a new SCADA system and replacing roughly 40,000 LF of its collection system to mitigate I/I issues.
STORMWATER includes replacing roughly 18,000 LF of the existing conveyance system to address flooding issues.
Project Title: RiverView Health Emergency Room Safety Enhancement
Proposed Recipient: City of Crookston
Requested Amount: $549,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the RiverView Health Emergency Department Safety Enhancement Project will improve patient and staff safety by constructing a dedicated safe room for individuals experiencing mental health crises, while enhancing department security and patient comfort. The project will also expand telehealth capabilities to provide rapid access to specialists for time-sensitive conditions such as stroke.
Project Title: Wood Lake Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Wood Lake
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The City is facing infrastructure challenges, with water, sewer, and stormwater systems that are outdated, failing, and unable to meet current demands. Currently utility rates are already over $135/mo and any additional grant funding will offset the required increase of utilities that will come with future loan funding necessary for the project. More than 55% of the households in Wood Lake have a low to moderate income. Increased utility rates and property taxes would have even more of an impact of these struggling families.
Project Title: Wild Rice Corridor Habitat Restoration
Proposed Recipient: City of Ada
Requested Amount: $9,950,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The Lower Wild Rice Corridor Habitat Restoration Program has a long-term purpose to restore a natural corridor area along the Lower Reach of the Wild Rice River. Funding would assist in the restoration of degraded ecosystems through the modification of Corps of Engineers' project area.
Project Title: Vesta Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Vesta
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description:
The City of Vesta is looking to undergo a city-wide infrastructure project which would include the rehabilitation, replacement, and updating of its drinking, waste, and storm water systems. These improvements would include rehabilitation and replacement of the city’s drinking and wastewater treatment, storage, distribution, and conveyance systems in order to address health and sanitation concerns and ensure water quality.
Project Title: Georgetown Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of Georgetown
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Member Certification Form
Project Description: The majority of Georgetown’s drinking water system was constructed in 1987. The well house has required many repairs in recent years in order to maintain service, including replacement of both well pumps and motors, repair of corroded rods, chemical feed pumps and equipment, and new pressure tanks. While these repairs aid in providing service to the community in the interim, the well house and components are generally approaching the end of their useful service life and long-term plans need to be made to ensure reliable water service to the community. Georgetown’s aging wells and inadequate treatment have the potential to create unsafe drinking water conditions and increase the risk of health issues. Components in Georgetown’s well house such as the concrete, piping, and electrical components are experiencing etching due to the chlorine/fluoride chemicals being in the same room, the chemical tanks are not sealed with tight fitting lids, and the area is not properly ventilated. The MN Department of Health (MDH) recommends the chemical tanks be properly sealed, located in separate rooms/spaces, and improvements made to the ventilation. The well house also requires the installation of new taps for sampling both before and after chemical injections per MDH recommendations. It would be beneficial for the City to connect to the West Central Regional Water District (WCRWD) to reduce operating costs, provide more reliable water service, and eliminate the costly upgrades to maintain the functionality of their public water system. The interconnection line to Perley will be constructed in the public right of way and a highway utility permit will be obtained from MnDOT. In addition to connecting to WCRWD, the City of Georgetown will repair and replace portions of their drinking water distribution system and install water meters for efficiency.
