SLAYTON -- On a four-county visit in southwest Minnesota on Wednesday, Sen. Norm Coleman's first stop was at the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) in Slayton, where he accepted an award from the National Association of Development Organizations for his leadership in promoting federal community, economic and transportation development programs.
Representatives from nine counties were on hand to listen to Coleman discuss renewable fuels, infrastructures, Medicare Part D and the challenges facing rural Minnesota.
Speaking to the mayors in the room, Coleman said he remembered what it was like to be on the "bottom of the food chain" as a mayor and said he has always been a big champion for rural Minnesota. He asked people in attendance to continue to remind him and his colleagues that not all of Minnesota is Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Much of his discussion revolved around renewable fuels, and he relayed a conversation he had with President George W. Bush, quoting Bush as saying, "I get renewables."
"We're talking about one-third of the country's gas demands," Coleman said. "That's pretty stunning. I can see a future where we could be selling ethanol to China."
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One of the challenges the renewable fuels industry faces is getting or keeping infrastructure in place to transport those fuels, something Coleman said he believes is the responsibility of government. Another challenge is keeping the funds and jobs the fuels create in the area.
"All of a sudden, Wall Street wants to understand about ethanol, wants to understand renewables," Coleman said. "It was a Midwest thing; it is changed now. We're looking at ways to do a better job of keeping returns here."
He acknowledged local investors are looking for greater opportunities to keep the significant part of their investments at home, adding that he has talked to many farmers about that very issue.
"If I get together with a group of five farmers, six people are going to be complaining," he joked.
Coleman said the challenges were not about political parties but about getting things done.
"I'm profoundly optimistic," Coleman declared. "In terms of economic opportunities, we are in a special time and place."
Rep. Doug Magnus, R-Slayton, spoke briefly, explaining changing dynamics -- from hauling grain, or shipping it to feedlots or overseas, to processing those products locally -- make for an exploding industry. He brought up the recent attempt by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to reclassify U.S. 59.
"They aren't going to take our highways or our railroads," Magnus said. "The short line is the key to all of this. Sen. Coleman has been a great champion of this."
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Coleman returned the compliment, calling Magnus one of his teachers on the subject of agriculture and renewable fuels. He said he wanted to continue that relationship.
Robin Weis of the SRDC's Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging introduced to the senator several of the people who staff the Senior Linkage Line in Slayton, telling him of their hard work to help seniors understand the program.
Coleman said he has always been a champion of Medicare Part D and has spoken to seniors and pharmacists about how the program is working.
"I want to know the shortcomings," he told the Linkage Line staff. "Please connect with my staff with any problems. I'm a huge fan of Senior Linkage."
Following his meeting in Slayton, Coleman planned to participate in a listening session in Worthington, attend a luncheon with representatives from the ethanol plant in Luverne and tour Suzlon Rotor Corp. in Pipestone.
