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Friends,
As fall settles in across Minnesota, I’ve been spending time both in the district and preparing for important discussions at the Capitol. I want to share a few updates, including the upcoming Capital Investment Tour, a recent visit to a local solar project, and how we can come together to support our food shelves as we head into the holiday season.
Capital Investments Tour Comes to Our District
Next week, the House Capital Investment Committee will visit our district to review local infrastructure projects. I’m grateful our area is included, because it is important for lawmakers to see firsthand the needs of rural Minnesota.
Several communities, including Henderson, Winthrop, New Auburn, and New Germany, are seeking critical upgrades to their wastewater treatment and water filtration systems. These systems are essential to protecting public health, supporting local housing and business growth, and ensuring our communities meet state and federal safety standards.
In Carver, the city is requesting support for a levee project to address flood risk and protect homes, roads, and essential infrastructure.
I will be present at each stop to advocate for our communities. Reliable infrastructure is the backbone of every town, and I will continue working to ensure our district receives the attention and support it deserves.
☀️ Visit to BuffaloSun Community Solar Garden
 On Thursday last week, I visited the BuffaloSun Community Solar Garden near Plato to learn more about how solar projects operate in our region. This site launched this past February and combines renewable energy with agriculture, a practice known as agrivoltaics.
The Solar Garden is a 1,304-Kilowatt project that currently includes:
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Over 6,000 free-range chickens on-site
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Perimeter gardens producing fresh tomatoes
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Young apple trees being established for future harvests
We discussed energy output, land use, and the long-term impact on affordability and reliability for Minnesota ratepayers. It was a helpful opportunity to learn how these operations work and what they mean for rural communities.
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