Congresswoman Fischbach Highlights Manufacturing Growth and Rural Infrastructure Needs in Stearns County

Willmar, MN - Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach visited Stearns County to meet with Rotochopper leadership in St. Martin and city officials in Holdingford to discuss community development and priorities. While in Holdingford, Rep. Fischbach met with city officials to discuss their water and wastewater infrastructure issues, including old treatment facilities and the expensive upgrades needed to meet state requirements. City officials said federal funding is needed to improve the water treatment plant and lift station, which can be addressed in future federal community funding requests made by the Congresswoman. Earlier this year, Rep. Fischbach was able to secure over $9 million in federal funding for eleven similar projects in the district, including $500,000 for Lake Henry. At Rotochopper, Rep. Fischbach discussed the company’s continued growth, strong employee retention, and workforce development efforts, including its employee stock ownership program and partnership with a local technical college. The conversation also covered USMCA trade provisions and the company’s innovative manufacturing operations, including wind turbine blades and fiberglass recycling. These conversations are especially important because, as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and its Trade Subcommittee, Rep. Fischbach works on trade policy that directly impacts Minnesotan manufacturers.