WILLMAR—While specifics were slim, Aaron Backman, Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission executive director, gave some intriguing hints Thursday about possible major economic development projects that could be headed to Willmar.
The biggest is a large distribution center project for an undisclosed end user. Back in 2018-2019, a logistics company came close to building a project in Willmar, but it was canceled in early 2019.
“This one is bigger and better,”
The EDC was recently presented a plaque by the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce in celebration of 30 years of continuous membership. We are glad to support and work in partnership with our local Chamber.
WILLMAR—Expanding high-speed broadband to all corners of Kandiyohi County has been a dream and challenge for many for more than two decades.
“This is an ongoing issue. It is a task we are constantly struggling to fix,” said Kandiyohi County Administrator Larry Kleindl, during a work session of the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners. The meeting Tuesday was specifically about broadband issues in the county.
With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus
NEW LONDON—The Mill Pond Mercantile building in downtown New London has new owners.
The Goose Group, which currently owns three businesses in Perham, will be opening Lucky Duck in New London.
Featuring a unique line of toys, games, puzzles and old-fashioned treats, the retail store is tentatively scheduled to open in mid-May.
“Our goal is to make people happy,” said Doug Huebsch, owner and CEO. “We want everyone to leave the store with a big smile on their face.”
Laura Bjerke, vice president
WILLMAR — If one is looking for a home to buy or an apartment to rent around Willmar, they might have some difficulty. Housing availability continues to be an issue in and around the Willmar area.
According to the Minnesota Realtors Association, there were only 97 homes for sale in February in the southwest central region, which includes Kandiyohi, Renville, Meeker and McLeod counties, only 1.1 months of supply and a 60 percent drop from the same period one year ago.
“It has gotten really
WILLMAR — In Kandiyohi County, the Minnesota Pandemic Relief grant program has successfully assisted 66 county businesses by distributing $843,754 in state-provided funds.
The county, along with the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, reviewed dozens of the applicants over the past several weeks, trying to help as many businesses as it could with the money provided.
“This was not taken lightly. We worked very hard to try to make it fair,” said Larry
WILLMAR — Any township in Kandiyohi County that decides to bring high-speed fiber broadband to its residents, or expand a system already in place, is eligible to receive $25,000 from the county to assist with the project.
The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners, at its meeting Tuesday, approved a resolution approving the $25,000 investment for each township that is part of a broadband deployment project. If every township took the county up on its offer, it would cost $600,000.
The board’s
On Tuesday, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the disbursal of $314,000 in the second round of Minnesota Pandemic Relief (MPR) grants to local establishments reeling from the last round of COVID-19 related shutdowns.
“The applications are still coming in,” said Jean Spaulding, who is overseeing the MPR grant disbursement.
MPR program is a joint effort between the county and the Kandiyohi County and city of Wilmer Economic Development Commission (EDC) to funnel the
WILLMAR—The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission has had a front row seat to the challenges and hardship the coronavirus pandemic has brought to businesses and non-profits across the county. And since late March 2020 the EDC has also been in the driver’s seat of several financial relief programs, helping those businesses hang on.
“I am proud of the organization in terms of what we are trying to do to help businesses survive this rough patch,”
On Tuesday, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the dispersal of $265,000 in the first round of Minneapolis Pandemic Relief (MOR) grants to local establishments reeling from the last round of COVID-19 related shutdowns.
“We develop the program with that in mind so that they would get the first priority and work downwards” said Jean Spaulding, who is overseeing the MPR grant disbursement.
The MPR program is a joint effort between the county and the Kandiyohi county
