Oberstar has Strong Record on Job Creation by Congressman James L. Oberstar Appearing in Press Release on 2006-11-02. Grams' attacks demonstrate his lack of knowledge Duluth—When it comes to creating jobs, Congressman Jim Oberstar has a record of success that cannot be matched by any member of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation. Throughout his career in Congress, Oberstar has worked to diversify the economy of Northeast Minnesota. No one knows the 8th District better than Jim Oberstar and no one is more effective; here are just a few examples: • 46.1% increase in federal highway aid for the entire state of Minnesota • Additionally, Oberstar obtained $171 million to help 8th District communities with transportation projects they asked for assistance with. These projects will create 8990 new construction jobs. • Oberstar was instrumental in bringing Cirrus Aviation to Duluth, which has created over 1,000 jobs. • Oberstar personally brokered the complex trade, shipping, ownership deal that lead to the closed down Eveleth Taconite Plant being reopened as United Taconite bringing back 430 jobs. Looking ahead, Oberstar is focused on new industries and technologies that will create new jobs in Northeast Minnesota. He helped the Laurentian Energy Authority obtain a $1.1 million dollar grant to apply the science of biomass energy production to existing power plants. This retains 100 jobs and creates another 150. Oberstar continues to work with the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute as it works to develop new commercial applications and uses for Minnesota’s resources. Oberstar helped the U of M create this program. Oberstar continues to work with companies that are developing new iron ore and steel processing techniques that will keep Minnesota’s iron mines operating, like Mesabi Nugget’s iron pellet mill and Minnesota Steel Industries proposed slab steel mill. Oberstar is working with Polymet Mining to help them mine nonferrous minerals in Northeast Minnesota. And Oberstar continues to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure that our forest industries remain competitive. “I am committed to making our economy grow good jobs that pay families a living wage,” said Oberstar. “Creating jobs is my number one priority.” As a U.S. Senator, Grams was not involved in any major economic development projects in Northeast Minnesota. “Rod is only demonstrating his ignorance when he tries to claim that I am personally responsible for slow job growth in Northeast Minnesota,” said Oberstar. “We have a resource-based economy, and it is subject to severe downturns and competition from the global marketplace. We need to keep our industries competitive and protect them from unfair trade agreements.” In fact, Grams voted against Minnesota’s taconite industry on two occasions when it was being hit hard by unfair steel dumping. • Grams voted against a bill that was aimed at going after the foreign companies and governments that were selling below-cost steel in American markets. (Senate vote 178, 6/22/99) • Grams opposed every effort to provide relief and to help steelworkers keep their jobs. He was also one of only 28 Senators to filibuster a loan program to the steel industry. (Senate vote 157, 6/15/99; 176, 6/18/99; 178, 6/22/99) Grams has also claimed that Oberstar has not done enough to open the Port of Duluth to 12 month a year shipping. Throughout his career in Congress Jim has worked to enhance shipping on the Great Lakes. The biggest barrier to making Duluth a 12-month a year port is the Soo Locks at Sault St. Marie. They are not large enough to accommodate many modern vessels; they do not operate well in freezing winter conditions and need to be shut down for that period of time for maintenance. Oberstar has been working with the Canadian Government on a plan to upgrade the locks. “We were working on all of these issues when Rod was in the Senate,” said Oberstar, “but he was never involved and did not attend any of the meetings. Rod’s new found interest in this issue is the second discovery of the Great Lakes.” ###

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