Spring Valley awarded $800,000 in stimulus money

Spring Valley City Administrator Deb Zimmer got a welcome surprise Monday. Someone from 1st District Rep. Tim Walz's office called looking for a comment to go with a press release announcing the city had been awarded an $800,000 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. That was the first Zimmer had heard about the award. Her reaction?

"Oh you're kidding!" she said.

But it's not a joke. The U.S. Department of Commerce made the announcement today about the matching grant. It will be used to expand the city's industrial park by helping pay for sewer, water and street infrastructure. The city plans to borrow money to pay the remaining $800,000.

Zimmer said the city's existing industrial park is already full and there has been a big need for more space.

Sara Severs, Press Secretary for Congressman Walz made the following statement on behalf of the Congressman who is on official business overseas this week. “Congressman Walz supported the recovery bill because it contained grants like the one given to the city of Spring Valley today. This industrial park expansion is a necessary element of future economic development. The construction phase will create immediate jobs and new businesses will bring additional jobs to the community. This expansion of infrastructure will facilitate future growth in Spring Valley and it is exactly the kind of project that the local economy in Spring Valley needs.”