Randy Kehr, executive director of the Albert Lea Freeborn County Chamber, was recognized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Aug. 4 at the Coalition’s three-day summer conference in Grand Rapids for being a vocal advocate for greater Minnesota’s economic health.

The award was given to Kehr for being instrumental in organizing and leading a group of local chambers of commerce from across state in supporting Local Government Aid, a program that is critical in holding down business and residential property taxes and funding local services such as police, fire and economic development initiatives.

“Without a doubt Greater Minnesota would be weaker today without Randy’s leadership over the last six months,” said Tim Flaherty, Executive Director of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. “In response to calls from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to significantly ‘reduce and restructure LGA,’ Randy and the other local chambers stood with their communities in defense of the program. He, along with the other chambers he worked with, held press conferences, met with the governor and legislators and sent resolutions of support on behalf of the program. He is a strong, articulate, courageous man who deserves a huge amount of thanks from Greater Minnesota communities. Simply put, Randy’s leadership is one of the key reasons the LGA program survives in its current form.”