Bemidji Pioneer

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith have arranged for $4.4 million in federal funding to be provided to Bemidji for wastewater infrastructure, namely to aid in the improvement and expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment facility.

“This funding will make a real difference for Bemidji,” Klobuchar said in a release. “Updating wastewater infrastructure is essential to ensuring the health and safety of our communities.”

The Bemidji Wastewater Treatment Plant is a 37-year-old building located near where the Mississippi River meets Lake Bemidji and Lake Irving.

The secured federal funding, which was allocated during the process of Congressionally Directed Spending, will be used to conduct further infrastructure repairs and ensure that the facility is able to meet its demands.

“It may not be the flashiest project, but updating the wastewater treatment facility is critically important for those in and around Bemidji,” Smith said in the release.

The funding will be released to selected projects over the next several months.

“Improving our outdated wastewater treatment facility is critical to our city. By strengthening our water systems, this funding will help ensure the safety of our community and benefit the environment — a true win-win,” said Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince. “We are grateful to Senators Klobuchar and Smith for their leadership and for being valued partners in advancing Bemidji’s priorities.”