Agriculture Around Minnesota
Last week, I had a chance to join Representative Brad Finstad and House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson for two roundtables hosted by Compeer Financial and Greater Mankato Growth. We met with local lenders, healthcare workers, mutual insurance providers, and farmers to discuss how federal policy can directly support rural economic development and farm families.
During our discussions, I highlighted several legislative efforts to cut red tape and expand opportunity across Western and Southern Minnesota.
We addressed expanding access to capital through my Investing in Rural America Act, which was incorporated into the House-passed Farm Bill. This legislation expands Farm Credit institutions' ability to work with local community banks to fund essential community infrastructure projects.
We also reviewed recent legislation, like the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which streamlines local bank lending and housing development rules to help build affordable homes faster in rural communities.
Our small towns, local businesses, and farm families drive Minnesota's economy, and I will continue working with Chairman Thompson and my colleagues to ensure Washington serves as a partner, not a roadblock, to rural growth. |