News

Dial-back restrictions updated/County to receive $830,000 in state aid

December 19, 2020

Following the latest round of “dial-back” restrictions to businesses across the state, Governor Tim Walz Wednesday signed off on a bipartisan relief package that will provide $216.5 million in state aid, as well as a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits. The bill easily passed House and Senate, which voted 117-13 and 62-4, respectively, during the seventh special session of the year Monday. This economic relief package will provide funding for counties to establish grants for eligible businesses

County breaks down how it spent $5.3M in CARES funds

December 19, 2020

County breaks down how it spent $5.3M in CARES funds
Now that spending has expired for the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, county officials have assembled an extensive document detailing how they spent their $5.3 million CARES allocation to submit to state and federal officials for auditing purposes. “The intention was really to put [the information] into a snapshot or overview for somebody who was coming from outside of the organization [so they] would be able to review the information and get some really

County provides funding for local businesses forced into closure

November 28, 2020

County provides funding for local businesses forced into closure
In response [to] the sudden closure of bars, restaurants and other places of public accommodation by Gov. Tim Walz, who was responding to a steep rise of COVID-19 infections across the state, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners will be allocating what COVID-19 relief funding it has remaining to subsidize the financial blow dealt to area businesses. On Saturday, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners called a special meeting in order, and unanimously voted to allocate whatever funds they

Restaurants face uncertain times with recent COVID-19 restrictions

November 20, 2020

Restaurants face uncertain times with recent COVID-19 restrictions
WILLMAR—The lack of a robust government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has often manifested itself in piecemeal restrictions coupled with partial financial help, has left restaurant owners with an uncertain feeling of what the future holds. Gov. Tim Walz this week ordered a four-week restriction, starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, on multiple businesses in the state, which includes closing restaurants and bars for indoor and outdoor services but allowing takeout or delivery. “Of

EDC tallies $3.3M in local business relief grants

November 14, 2020

EDC tallies $3.3M in local business relief grants
The Coronavirus Relief Program [sic], which provided grant funding—and for some, a lifeline—for hundreds of area businesses and nonprofits hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, has come to a close. When everything is finalized at the end of the year, Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission (EDC) Director Aaron Backman estimates the EDC will have doled out about $3.5 million in assistance. “That is a significant sum for us, it’s a significant

Willmar, Kandiyohi County continue to give relief to local businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19

November 9, 2020

Willmar, Kandiyohi County continue to give relief to local businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19
WILLMAR—When Kandiyohi County and the city of Willmar began planning how to spend the stimulus funds each received from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, both the County Board and City Council were clear where they thought the most relief was needed—small businesses and nonprofits negatively impacted by the pandemic and related shutdown. Each initially transferred at least $1 million of its CARES allocation to the county and city Economic Development Commission which

Willmar celebrates five-year effort to build healthy community

October 31, 2020

Willmar celebrates five-year effort to build healthy community
The people of Willmar, Minn., gathered virtually last week to celebrate five years of real togetherness. The online festivities marked the end of Healthy Together Willmar, a program designed to show that the secret to healthy living isn’t only in the doctor’s office — it’s also at the playground, the library and the coffee shop. The five-year effort was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, which invested $2 million in health-and community-building activities in the Kandiyohi

Snow slows downs U.S. Highway 12 completion in Willmar

October 27, 2020

Snow slows downs U.S. Highway 12 completion in Willmar
WILLMAR—The early arrival of winter, or at least a sneak peek of it, has caused a delay in the completion of the realignment of U.S. Highway 12 on the western edge of Willmar, a part of the Willmar Wye railroad bypass project. According to the weekly wye update released Monday by the Minnesota Department of Transportation District 8, the new Highway 12 probably won’t be open for traffic until mid-November. It had been hoped that portion of the project would be complete by the end of October. Read

Jennie-O float planned for Macy’s Thanksgiving parade this year

October 24, 2020

Jennie-O float planned for Macy’s Thanksgiving parade this year
WILLMAR—While people are preparing their Thanksgiving Day turkeys next month they’ll also be able to watch a homegrown turkey business on TV during Macy’s annual holiday parade. As part of its 80th anniversary, the Willmar-based Jennie-O Turkey Store will celebrate in a spectacular way by having a float in the 94th annual event on Nov. 26. It’s the first time a turkey brand will be in the parade, according to a Macy’s parade spokesperson. Read the full article by the West Central Tribune.

Take your internet speed for a test drive

October 22, 2020

Take your internet speed for a test drive
WILLMAR—One of the lessons learned so far during this pandemic is how important internet accessibility is, especially when so much of life is being done from home. Remote work, distance learning and entertainment have all jumped online and those households with slow internet, or in some cases no access at all, have found themselves struggling to keep up and stay connected. “This is important, people need it to work from home, connect with family members, do school work,” said Connie
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