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Dear friends and neighbors on the Iron Range,
I can’t believe it’s already October. Fall is in full swing across the Range, and with it comes a busy season of community events, legislative meetings, and opportunities to connect with neighbors. As we move into the final months of the year, I’ll continue to share updates on the work being done to support our region’s families, industries, and communities. Thank you for staying engaged and for all you do to keep our corner of Minnesota strong.
Legislative Exchange with Rep. Anquam Mahamoud
I had the unique opportunity to host Rep. Anquam Mahamoud, and her brother Dean, for my first ‘Legislative Exchange’ experience recently. This program is put on by Citizens League, with the purpose of building understanding and giving legislators the chance to get a sneak peek into each other’s districts. Rep. Mahamoud represents District 62B in South Minneapolis, which I will be visiting in a similar fashion, later this year.
The exchange lasted 2 days, and was jam-packed with mining-related activities here on the Range. My goal was to focus on active mining, proposed mining, and reclaimed mining, which we covered well! We toured Minntac (where I’ve worked for almost three decades), NewRange Copper Nickel, Redhead Mountain Bike Park, and more.
Our exchange was featured by several outlets, including WDIO. U.S. Steel Corp also shared a post on their social media sites, and Minnesota Public Radio shadowed us on part of the tour with the intention of building out a larger story – stay tuned!
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The President’s Ride with ATVMN
Two weeks ago, I had the chance to take part in the annual President’s Ride with ATV Minnesota, alongside fellow legislators, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts. It was a great day on the trails, and I was glad to ride with my friend Mike Sand, while taking in the incredible scenery of the North Shore. Events like this highlight just how important outdoor recreation is for Northern Minnesota’s economy and tourism industry. My thanks go out to everyone who put in the time and effort to organize another successful ride.
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Winning the Critical Minerals Race
Last week, I co-hosted a public presentation by the Center of the American Experiment on the importance of winning the critical minerals race. Policy Fellow Sarah Montalbono provided the main overview, and I joined Kyle Makarios of MiningMinnesota for the panel discussion and Q&A. It was encouraging to see such a strong turnout from community members who care deeply about the future of mining on the Range.
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Looking into the Food Economy
This past week I joined fellow legislators on a two-day food economy tour through southern Minnesota, with an overnight stop in Rochester. We visited a wide range of operations, from dairy and seed care to co-ops, fertilizer, hog finishing, and even farms using robotic milking machines. It was an eye-opening experience and gave me a deeper appreciation for the many types of farms that keep Minnesota’s food economy strong!
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Better in Our Back Yard
On Thursday, I had the privilege of attending the first annual Mining and Energy Expo, and what a day it was! From a breakfast keynote to after-dinner programming, the schedule was packed with insight and discussion. Experts from across the country came together with Better In Our Back Yard to dig into both the challenges we face and the successes we can build upon in mining and energy. Events like this highlight just how vital these industries are to our future, and why we must continue to strengthen America’s ability to mine and manufacture rather than shy away from these necessary industries. A big thank-you to everyone who worked so hard to make this inaugural event such a tremendous success.
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Please Contact Me
Please continue to reach out if I can be of any assistance to you. The best method is to use my email – I am rarely near the office phone, but that number is 651.296.0170 and you can try me there too.
Have a great weekend!
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