Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe receives federal funding for weatherization

ONAMIA - The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe recently received $350,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act high performance fund to expand its weatherization services. The band is the only tribe in the country chosen to receive this funding.

The U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program allocated $9.75 million of its ARRA funding to Minnesota. The funds were distributed to service providers that exceeded their weatherization goals and have the capacity to complete additional units.

Last year, the band weatherized 40 houses. With the ARRA high performance funding, the band will be able to weatherize about 50 more houses, meaning that the band could potentially weatherize more than 100 houses during the next fiscal year.

Band members who are eligible for State Energy Assistance are also eligible for weatherization assistance. Weatherization includes energy-efficient upgrades to storm windows, roofs, insulation and more.

Detour on Highway 27 begins July 12

GENOLA - Starting July 12 motorists will encounter a detour on Highway 27 three miles west of Genola/Pierz in Morrison County as crews reconstruct the Platte River bridge.

The road will be closed to traffic. Drivers will be detoured north of the project on Morrison County Road 45, Morrison County Road 43 and Morrison County Road 255.

Lunda Construction Co., of Black River Falls, Wis., is the prime contractor for the $700,000 bridge replacement project.