Senator Klobuchar Addresses Need for Better Broadband in Rural Manufacturing
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| Senator Amy Klobuchar's visit to Ada, MN on February 24 |
The worlds of politics and manufacturing collided last week, when Senator Amy Klobuchar visited chainmaille company Weave Got Maille in Ada Minnesota. The visit, part of Klobuchar’s 10-County-Rural Economy Tour, focused on discussing the need for better broadband, access to health care, and support for rural companies.
“Broadband is definitely a huge need,” said Weave Got Maille founder Edie Ramstad. “We have international retail and wholesale orders being made on our website every day. As a rapidly growing company, we need better broadband to support our work.”
Klobuchar said she is pushing for change by working with the agriculture and commerce committees as two sources of funding. The upcoming reauthorization of The Farm Bill, for instance, is intended to help push broadband access in rural areas.
She also led 48 other Senators to join in a letter stating that broadband must be included in all new infrastructure packages.“We need to get her [Ramstad] the kind of internet she deserves,” Klobuchar said. “We want her to stay in Ada.”
Ramstad, a goldsmith by trade, founded Weave Got Maille in 2012. They specialize in producing chainmaille jump rings and findings, and currently ship to over 76 different countries. Since its first beginnings in Ramstad’s living room, the company has seen rapid growth; they will be featured on a national TV show this summer, and recently secured a spot in 44 JoAnn’s stores across the nation.
Weave Got Maille’s sister company, Premier Anodizing, is expanding as well. Premier Anodizing uses an environmentally friendly process with organic dyes to color and coat various metals. In her visit, Klobuchar agreed to work with Ramstad and Premier Anodizing on their efforts to form government contracts.
Throughout the tour, Klobuchar got a first hand look at the entire process; from cutting the jump rings to anodizing them to get the perfect hue. Ramstad demonstrated with precious metals such as niobium and titanium for the full effect.
“To think that they just started at at kitchen table, to now the incredible work that she [Ramstad] has done...It’s a great thing for Ada to have a manufacturing company like this.” Klobuchar said. Her visit had an encouraging impact on the Weage Got Maille team.
“We’re a very small company in a very small town,” Ramstad said. “For her [Klobuchar] to take the time to come all the way here, definitely shows she is concerned about the small businesses and dedicated to creating jobs in this area. She truly has a solid interest in broadband and manufacturing in rural America.”
Press Release submitted by Sen. Amy Klobuchar's staff. Photo Credit: Tonia McRunnel
Ramstad, a goldsmith by trade, founded Weave Got Maille in 2012. They specialize in producing chainmaille jump rings and findings, and currently ship to over 76 different countries. Since its first beginnings in Ramstad’s living room, the company has seen rapid growth; they will be featured on a national TV show this summer, and recently secured a spot in 44 JoAnn’s stores across the nation.
Weave Got Maille’s sister company, Premier Anodizing, is expanding as well. Premier Anodizing uses an environmentally friendly process with organic dyes to color and coat various metals. In her visit, Klobuchar agreed to work with Ramstad and Premier Anodizing on their efforts to form government contracts.
Throughout the tour, Klobuchar got a first hand look at the entire process; from cutting the jump rings to anodizing them to get the perfect hue. Ramstad demonstrated with precious metals such as niobium and titanium for the full effect.
“To think that they just started at at kitchen table, to now the incredible work that she [Ramstad] has done...It’s a great thing for Ada to have a manufacturing company like this.” Klobuchar said. Her visit had an encouraging impact on the Weage Got Maille team.
“We’re a very small company in a very small town,” Ramstad said. “For her [Klobuchar] to take the time to come all the way here, definitely shows she is concerned about the small businesses and dedicated to creating jobs in this area. She truly has a solid interest in broadband and manufacturing in rural America.”
Press Release submitted by Sen. Amy Klobuchar's staff. Photo Credit: Tonia McRunnel
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