Minnesota Sen. Miller introduces bills to help Spring Grove recover from fire

(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) has introduced two bills aimed at providing needed assistance to the community of Spring Grove, which was ravaged by a devastating fire last December.

The fire, which burned for more than 7 hours, caused extensive damage destroying six apartments and a local True Value hardware store. Eleven people were displaced from their homes because of the fire.

RELATED: UPDATE: American Red Cross assisting 9 people fire in Spring Grove

“The December fire that occurred in Spring Grove was devastating for the community,” Miller said. “It is especially heart-wrenching to think about the families who lost everything that night. The community has been through a lot, but I am committed to doing everything I can to help Spring Grove recover and rebuild. While these bills won’t bring back lost livelihoods, if passed, they should make the rebuilding process at least a little bit easier.”

The two bill details are below:

• Senate File 2856 provides $250,000 in remediation for Spring Grove, including disaster recovery, infrastructure, reimbursement for emergency personnel costs, reimbursement for equipment costs, and reimbursement for property tax abatements incurred by public or private entities.
• Senate File 2857 provides Spring Grove with a sales and use tax exemption for construction materials and capital equipment used to repair, replace, or otherwise recover from real and personal property damage that occurred during the fire. This includes building materials and supplies used or consumed in, and equipment incorporated into, the construction, replacement, or repair of real property; and capital equipment to replace equipment destroyed in the fire.

Both bills have been referred to the Committee on Taxes.