08.08.13

Hoeven Addresses Annual Minot Area Development Corporation Meeting

Highlights Ag, Energy, Recovery Work as Pillars of City's Growth

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today spoke at the Minot Area Development Corporation (MADC) Annual Meeting, citing the importance of agriculture, energy and the city’s successful work to recover from the historic 2011 flood. The senator gave the group an overview of his work on the Senate Agriculture and Energy committees.

“Minot has grown tremendously during the past decade, not only rebounding from the most severe flood in its history two years ago, but also with an unprecedented burst of economic growth owing to agriculture and energy development,” Hoeven said. “Together, these are the pillars on which the city is building and rebuilding itself for the future.”

Farm Bill

Hoeven said agriculture is an important pillar of Minot’s growth. As a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Hoeven has worked in the past two sessions to pass a long-term farm bill that will support the city’s agricultural sector by supporting the state’s farmers and ranchers. Last week the senator was named to the conference committee responsible for negotiating an agreement on the 2013 farm bill, which passed the Senate this June. Hoeven said he will work in the committee to include enhanced crop insurance provisions, continue the sugar program and decouple conservation compliance from the crop insurance program. Additionally, he said he will work to simplify and clarify rules for the Prevented Plant program.

Energy

The senator said energy is another pillar of growth in the Minot community. He highlighted legislation he has introduced in the Senate to reduce the regulatory burden and advance energy development in North Dakota and the nation.

Domestic Energy and Jobs Act (DEJA)

DEJA is a wide-ranging package of 12 diverse energy bills that addresses both traditional and renewable development, designed to streamline and simplify regulations, boost domestic energy supplies, build American energy infrastructure and safeguard America’s supply of critical minerals used in modern high-tech manufactured products such as cell phones and computers. It establishes an American energy development plan, an all-of-the-above energy program for federal lands by reviewing the nation’s energy needs and goals for federal land energy production.

Empower States Act

The Empower States Act would ensure that states retain the right to manage hydraulic fracturing and gives them the ability to respond first to any violation. It includes provisions to prevent loss of jobs or harm to consumers and the economy, to prevent arbitrary regulation from federal authorities and to ensure good environmental stewardship. This legislation recognizes that individual states are the first and best responders to oil and gas issues because they know their land and have a stake in protecting their environment.

Flood Recovery

Hoeven cited the tremendous progress the city has made following the historic 2011 flood as a third pillar of growth for Minot. To date, more than $652 million has flowed into the city from a range of federal programs to help with the recovery effort, including funding for roads, public and personal assistance, city infrastructure and flood protection measures.

The senator cited the numerous construction projects underway or completed throughout the Minot community as a result of its recovery efforts. Projects include the city’s ambitious Imagine Downtown retail and residential housing project, the 13-acre Market at North Hill retail center, Ramstad and Longfellow schools and the expansion of Minot International Airport.

Following today’s MADC meeting, Hoeven participated in groundbreaking for Phase II of the $14.7 million residential Washington Townhomes project. Nearly $14 million of the funding will come from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs.

“Agriculture, energy, recovery work – all of these are playing a role in Minot’s tremendous growth, but Minot’s real success lies in the fact that its leaders have worked to diversify their economy and build a business climate that will attract innovation, new industries and new jobs to the community,” Hoeven said. “The city of Minot is poised to take full advantage of a bright economic future.”