Finstad secures federal funding for community water projects

Minnesota U.S. First District Rep. Brad Finstad has announced that he has secured more than $11.4 million in funding for rural water infrastructure across his district. 

The federal funding is awarded as a part of H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which included 11 Community Project Funding requests submitted by Finstad. This federal investment supports community projects such as pipeline replacements, contamination remediation, new wells, filtration systems and upgraded treatment facilities. 

Among those receiving funding is the City of Okabena, which was awarded $750,000 to be used to repair, replace and reconstruct Okabena’s drinking water distribution system to provide the residents of Okabena with safe and dependable drinking water. The current distribution system has experienced an increased number of watermain failures, which elevates the risk for contamination. 

Additionally, the City of Trimont was awarded $1,000,000 for replacement of its existent mechanical wastewater plant with a three-call wastewater stabilization pond system. Federal investment will address critical sanitary sewer collection system and water distribution system needs.