U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar made visits to several southwest Minnesota communities this week, to talk topics like infrastructure, supporting small businesses and child care. Klobuchar made stops in Pipestone and Currie on Sunday, area officials said.

“She talked a lot about small businesses, and what we can do locally to help those small businesses,” said Currie Mayor Eugene Short. Short was part of the group that met with Klobuchar as she toured the Painted Prairie Vineyard near Currie.

Stops in a few different area cities were part of Klobuchar’s annual 87-county tour of Minnesota, a news release said. On Sunday and Monday, Klobuchar visited Pipestone, Murray, Rock, Nobles and Cottonwood Counties.

“It is great to be in southwestern Minnesota to meet with leaders and residents to discuss the importance of supporting local economies and businesses in these communities,” Klobuchar said in the release. “Whether it is increasing access to affordable child care, taking steps to strengthen our workforce, or expanding access to broadband, I am working to ensure rural communities across our state are thriving and able to unlock more opportunities for families and businesses.”

In Pipestone, Klobuchar met with city leaders to talk about a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program grant for the Pipestone municipal airport. The grant will be used to replace navigational aids on the airport’s runway.

In the Currie area, Klobuchar met with Painted Prairie Vineyard owners Krista and Andy Kopperud, as well as Short, and Murray County Commissioner Molly Malone. Short and Malone said Klobuchar was interested in learning more about the vineyard, and the Kopperuds talked about some of their ideas to help expand and support the business.

“I think (the winery) has had a good impact on the Currie area,” Short said. The wine tastings, food and events at Painted Prairie attract visitors, he said.

However, Short said there are still concerns facing area businesses, like finding and keeping workers.

“Labor is one of the top things,” he said.

In Murray County, issues like availability of child care also overlap with the need for employees, Malone said. “We’ve had people who have been offered jobs, that have turned it down,” due to a lack of child care options, she said.

Malone and Short said it was good to get a chance to meet and talk with Klobuchar.

“She listened to us, and asked great questions,” Malone said.

Klobuchar’s tour continued in the region on Monday, with stops in Luverne, Worthington and Windom. In Luverne and Worthington, she discussed local child care solutions. Klobuchar secured a federal grant for a community-based child care center currently under construction in Luverne. In Worthington, the discussion included Nobles County and Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) work on child care.

In Windom, Klobuchar visited the Red Rock Rural Water Systems water treatment plant, which has received funding form the USDA Rural Development Program.