Klobuchar’s visit to Kittson County focused on ag, housing, postal service

By Jack Waters
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited Hallock last week as part of her annual initiative to visit all 87 Minnesota counties. She met with local business owners, leaders, farmers and community members to hear directly about the needs, difficulties and positive developments in Kittson County.
The discussion centered on local and federal issues, ranging from rising agricultural costs and international trade barriers and tariffs, to rural housing shortages, protecting mail-in voting and the vital role of the U.S. Postal Service and local newspapers like the Enterprise in keeping rural communities connected.
The casual gathering was held at the Bully Brew coffeeshop in downtown Hallock, and Klobuchar started by praising the transformation, energy and liveliness of downtown and throughout the county.
“I know that I just have seen it grow over the years. So many of these cool shops opening up are being expanded or improved,” said Klobuchar.
Far North Spirits was mentioned as part of the revitalization, and its co-owner Michael Swanson was there to mention some hurdles businesses like his are facing. He shared that even just talks about tariffs are enough to cause foreign importers to pull American products from shelves out of economic uncertainty. Far North Spirits had been exporting whiskey to Canada.
“We were selling it in Toronto, and that was going well, but then as soon as the tariff talk started, everything was pulled off the shelf. We also had an importer in Denmark who wanted to bring us in, but said they can’t sell anything American. So that shut down. It tends to hit our business even if a law doesn’t even go into effect,” said Swanson.

To read the whole story, see the July 8, 2026, edition of the Kittson County Enterprise