[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today visited Thief River Falls to highlight investments in child care and workforce development in Greater Minnesota. Governor Walz first visited DigiKey, an electronics manufacturer, to tour their recent 2.2 million square-foot expansion that is set to create about 1,000 new jobs in Thief River Falls. Governor Walz also visited the construction site of the new cargo hangar at the Thief River Falls Regional Airport, a project funded through the infrastructure package signed into law last session.

“Thief River Falls is home to businesses that power the state and regional economy,” said Governor Walz. “By investing in child care and local infrastructure, we’re allowing businesses like DigiKey to grow and providing middle class families the support they need to work.”

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced a new $316 million program that will bolster wages and benefits for Minnesota child care providers and early educators, addressing a longstanding workforce crisis that makes it challenging for families to get child care. Beginning on Monday, Oct. 16, over 8,000 child care providers can begin applying for Great Start Compensation Support Payments. Minnesota is one of the first states to provide direct funding to support the child care workforce.

This spring, Governor Walz signed the state’s largest-ever infrastructure bill into law, which will create good-paying jobs, invest in the state’s roads and bridges, and bring long-term benefits to communities across the state. The infrastructure package included $3 million for a new cargo hangar at the Thief River Falls Regional Airport, which will allow for commercial and economic growth in Thief River Falls. The new building is expected to be complete in summer 2024.