The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and the Region Five Development Commission received millions of dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy’s local government energy program.
According to a Thursday, Sept. 5, news release, the band plans a $3.5 million investment into a microgrid system to provide electricity for its secondary school complex.
Region Five received $2.5 million, which it will use to provide inclusive clean energy financing to four identified projects, including school solar and tribal electric vehicles. Region Five’s service area includes Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe reservation.
Just 12 local governments and tribes were selected to receive over $31 million in funding through the Department of Energy program. Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy seeks to support high-impact projects in disadvantaged communities.
The projects are selected for commitment to clean energy approaches like building efficiency, clean transportation, grid development and renewable energy.
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Contributed/Smokey the Bear | National Forest ServiceFire danger remains very high to high in most of northern Minnesota, with a Red Flag Warning issued for six counties on May 5, 2025. -
Contributed/Minnesota News Connection | Adobe StockReform advocates say people in America's prisons are often forced to work, and if they refuse or say they can't handle the working conditions, they can be punished. -
The utility is planning a 3-mile, 115-kV transmission line and a new substation to add needed redundancy and links to the grid. A landowner-specific meeting is planned for May 7, 2025. -
Contributed/Crossing Arts AllianceThe nonprofit will recognize its anniversary with an event on May 8, 2025, at Passport, formerly known as Sage on Laurel, in downtown Brainerd. -
Contributed/Tracy KampaChildren's Librarian Tracy Kampa reviews new children's books by Amy Alznauer, Annie Barrows, Jose Pimienta and Andrea Beatriz Arango. -
People like William, George and Jeffery don't know where they'll live over the summer in the wake of a camping ban and the City Council's rejection of a plan to keep the shelter open year-round. -
Plus: Drivers on Highway 371 in Hackensack can expect daily lane closures beginning May 5; Hibbing Public Utilities will host a landowner-specific information meeting May 7 on its planned new overhead transmission line; and a shooting contest of Easter bunny Peeps draws new and old friends to the Northland Sports Park each year in Bemidji.
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Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Peep Shoot is an annual fundraiser for the Bemidji Area Shooters Association and Northland Sports Park. KAXE's Larissa Donovan participated and shares her experience. -
Contributed/MnDOTThe project, beginning May 5, 2025, is expected to be completed in mid-October. -
Contributed/Bemidji State UniversityWhile the federal government reversed the termination of hundreds of student visas, Bemidji State leaders demonstrate commitment to foreign-born students and faculty.
