News

Tidal Wave Auto Spa to be constructed in Willmar

October 4, 2021

Tidal Wave Auto Spa to be constructed in Willmar
WILLMAR—The vehicles that drive along Willmar’s streets will soon have a spa for their very own. The Willmar City Council at the Sept. 20 meeting approved the minor subdivision of what is known as the Patterson Parcel, the site of the closed Kandi Entertainment Center at the intersection of 19th Avenue and Fifth Street Southeast. The parcel is being split in two. To be constructed on the parcel nearest to 19th Avenue will be Tidal Wave Auto Spa, a national chain of express conveyor

High-speed broadband on its way to Prinsburg, with help from Kandiyohi County

September 24, 2021

High-speed broadband on its way to Prinsburg, with help from Kandiyohi County
PRINSBURG—As has been the common theme over the past 18 months, residents in Prinsburg have grown to learn just how important high-speed internet can be. And like so many communities, the city has found what the local providers have to offer isn’t enough. “They are just not able to meet our needs,” said Roger Ahrenholz, Prinsburg mayor, at Tuesday’s Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners meeting. Prinsburg is considered underserved by the Minnesota Department of Employment

Willmar apartment projects move forward while concerns rise regarding single-family home options

September 15, 2021

Willmar apartment projects move forward while concerns rise regarding single-family home options
WILLMAR—The number of apartment units continues to increase in Willmar as multi-family housing developments are constructed and opened. Aaron Backman, director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, updated the commission’s joint operations board Sept. 9 about projects at various levels of development. Block 25 Flats, to be constructed in downtown Willmar, is moving along, even though there have been some delays due to site contamination. “That

Plan for logistics project in Willmar gets green light from Planning Commission

September 3, 2021

Plan for logistics project in Willmar gets green light from Planning Commission
WILLMAR—The pieces are starting to come together for the large logistics facility to be constructed on the west end of Willmar, in the Willmar Industrial Park. The Willmar Planning Commission at Wednesday’s meeting recommended the approval of the project’s plan, and also approved the vacation of several easements in the property the developer is purchasing from the city. “Packaging coming in, being sorted and going out” is what this logistics project will be about, said

New Subway restaurant to replace 1st Street location

September 1, 2021

New Subway restaurant to replace 1st Street location
WILLMAR—Sandwich lovers will soon have a new place to get their favorite Subway subs. Construction has begun on the new Willmar restaurant, located at the intersection of First Street South and Minnesota Avenue Southeast, across from Domino’s Pizza. The building will be 2,200 square feet and will include a drive-thru on the east side of the structure. There will also be plenty of parking, with the city-required maximum of 37 spaces. According to the building permit issued in July by

Willmar Industrial Park land sale for new logistics facility continues toward approval

August 16, 2021

Willmar Industrial Park land sale for new logistics facility continues toward approval
WILLMAR—The 24/7/365 small package sorting and distribution facility proposed to be built on 32 acres in the Willmar Industrial Park is looking more and more certain as the Willmar City Council began the land sale process and approved the purchase agreement at its Monday meeting. “This really represents the kickoff of the actions you will see over the next 45 days,” said Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission. The

Land sale for major logistics project in Willmar moves to City Council

August 6, 2021

Land sale for major logistics project in Willmar moves to City Council
WILLMAR—The possible construction of a massive development project in the Willmar Industrial Park moved closer to fruition on Wednesday, with the Willmar Planning Commission recommending the city sell more than 30 acres of land to RDC National Inc. RDC National is working on behalf of an end user—not yet identified publicly—to construct an over $25 million logistics facility in the Industrial Park’s Fourth Addition, located between Willmar Avenue and Trott Avenue Southwest on the

On the hunt for more broadband funding

July 27, 2021

On the hunt for more broadband funding
WILLMAR—While the COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of challenges, it has also made a few opportunities. One of those is the sudden rise in funding available for broadband projects, thanks to the American Rescue Plan. The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners has already decided to focus most of the county’s share of the federal funding to broadband, bringing a big lift to the work being done by the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission broadband committee. “They

Understanding the future of farming after COVID is theme of Partners in Ag Innovation conference July 29 in Willmar

July 26, 2021

Understanding the future of farming after COVID is theme of Partners in Ag Innovation conference July 29 in Willmar
WILLMAR—Understanding the ag market after COVID-19 will be a topic for discussion during the third annual Partners in Ag Innovation seminar July 29 in Willmar. The theme for the event, which is scheduled from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday July 29, is “From Survive to Thrive.” The half-day seminar will be offered in a hybrid format that includes in-person attendance at the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar or an online option. The free event is sponsored by MinnWest and the Kandiyohi

Willmar Wye road construction is done, next step is rail

July 21, 2021

Willmar Wye road construction is done, next step is rail
WILLMAR—Two years after the first shovels full of dirt were moved in July 2019, the road construction portion of the Willmar Rail Connector and Industrial Access Project has been completed, minus a few little things that still need to be wrapped up. “For a project of this size and complexity, it went really well,” said Paul Rasmussen, project manager from the Minnesota Department of Transportation District 8. Work began on the project, better known as the Willmar Wye, on July 9,
Translate »