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$6 million in federal funding for three projects coming to New Ulm

Several million dollars in federal funding it coming New Ulm’s way across three projects. Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited New Ulm’s municipal airport Wednesday following the announcement that $2.5 million for the new crosswind runway. This alone would be worth celebrating. Realignment of the crosswind runway has been on the city’s to-do-list for over a decade, but the funding was not available until now.

What makes this even more exciting is that in addition to funding for the runway, Congress approved $1.125 million for New Ulm’s 18th Street lift station. This is another vital project for the city that will reduce the risk of flooding on the south side town by automating pumping equipment.

However, the federal funds do not end on the city side. Local industry is also benefiting. It was announced the Kraft Heinz company was selected to receive up to $170 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to implement clean energy projects at 10 U.S. Plants. New Ulm’s Kraft plant is one of the 10 that will receive funding. The exact amount of money New Ulm’s plant is still being negotiated, but $3.3 million is anticipated.

This is a significant amount of federal funding approved in a single year. New Ulm would be lucky to receive funding for one of these project, but three is extradordinary.

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New Ulm DQ closes

For the first time in over 70 years, New Ulm will be without a Dairy Queen. The DQ restaurant at 1501 N. Broadway is closing its doors for good at the end of the month. New Ulm has had a DQ since August 1950. It may have changed locations over the decades, but it was a community mainstay for decades. It’s never fun see a longtime business close, but when the business is tied to community nostalgia–it stings even more.

The reason for the closure is staffing. Running a fast food restaurant seven days a week with only five people on staff is not sustainable.

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Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Tuesday is a shocking tragedy that puts in stark relief the risk our nation’s infrastructure. The incident is reminiscent of the I-35W bridge collapse in August 2007. The difference is the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed due to a cargo ship colliding with the bridge instead of design flaw. This is not simple a question of bridge safety, but shipping safety. Are the ships coming into U.S. ports being properly maintained?

It still raises questions about safety. All reports indicate the Key Bridge was structurally sound before the accident, but it was not designed to absorb the impact of a heavy cargo ship hitting it. How many disasters were avoided by luck and good timing?

Though Baltimore might seem far away, the impact of this collapse will likely have a ripple effect on how we view our local infrastructure.