The director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce flew to Washington on Tuesday to speak U.S. senators about job creation and economic development.

Randy Kehr told them that Albert Lea was built on businesses that started small and grew, citing the examples of Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen, Minnesota Corrugated Box, Alliance Benefit Group and Albert Lea Select Foods.

“We talked about the federal funds available and about how regulations can make them uncomfortable to access,” Kehr said.

Kehr was hosted by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, DFL-Minneapolis. Kehr and Klobuchar called the Tribune from the nation’s capital Wednesday morning.

He said what gets in the way of accessing federal loans and grants varies: lack of understanding, paperwork, unavailable assistance, among others.

“We want to make it easier to get,” he said.

Klobuchar said senators also want to emphasize the need for more young people to enter vocational fields such as machinist, plumber and nursing.

“They can come out of a community college and have a good placement rate,” she said.

She noted people graduating with four-year degrees have low easier to get,” he said.

Klobuchar said senators also want to emphasize the need for more young people to enter vocational fields such as machinery, plumbing and nursing.

“They can come out of a community college and have a good placement rate,” she said.

She noted people graduating with four-year degrees have low placement rates, presently. However, many schools continue to push kids toward a four-year college education.

Kehr received a letter March 8 signed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Steering and Outreach Committee Chairman Mark Begich. Kehr joined local and state chamber directors from across the country.

Klobuchar, who in February toured Minnesota Corrugated Box as part of her Made in America tour, serves as chairwoman of the Senate Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation and Export Promotion. She has also introduced the “Innovate America Act” to cut red tape so businesses can access research and development funds. It also provides incentives for colleges and universities and establishes a manufacturing assistance program.