The City of Willmar is interested in creating the conditions for a strong and vibrant downtown area. To that end on May 4, 2020 the Willmar City Council adopted the Renaissance Zone, which is a new zoning overlay district encompassing the Central Business District and adjacent areas. The new Willmar Renaissance Zone is a 5-year pilot program intended to encourage investment, job creation, development, creativity and vibrancy in the designated area. This district will offer greater flexibility relative
The EDC conducts strategic planning each year to set priority issues and focus the work of its committees and staff. The information we get from local businesses is imperative in our planning process. For the last three years we have had as one of our priorities, efforts to recruit, retain and train workforce for the area. We have worked on that goal in many ways, including the creation of a video to show the fun, food and other amenities available in our area. The video is available to businesses
Many rural Kandiyohi County residents still remain without access to high-speed broadband and the many benefits that come from having such access. The situation has never been more apparent than in the past months of social distancing, working from home and distance learning.
The Broadband and Advanced Technology Committee of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission (EDC) is a committee focused on securing high-speed broadband for all people in our county. The
The EDC has been actively assisting businesses throughout Kandiyohi County since the pandemic emergency was declared in mid-March of this year.
First, it created the COVID-19 Business Assistance Loan (COBAL) Program that provided up to $5,000 in zero percent loans to affected businesses. Second, in May, the EDC provided small grants of $325 to all 88 home childcare providers in the County. Third, with the help of funding from the Southwest Initiative Foundation, it created the Immigrant Business
WILLMAR—When you add up all the money that has so far been awarded to small businesses and nonprofits through coronavirus relief programs run by the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, the total is more than $2 million.
Since March the EDC has established a handful of grant or loan programs focused on providing financial relief to businesses in the county hit hard by economic impacts tied to the virus outbreak. The programs include the CARES Pandemic Relief Program,
WILLMAR—Willmar Poultry Group is celebrating 75 years in business, according to a news release from the company.
Originally started as the Willmar Poultry & Egg Company by Albert Huisinga, Herman Nelson and Albin Norling on July 25, 1945, with the purchase of an old livestock pavilion, the business, most well-known as Willmar Poultry Company, has grown from one local company with three employees to a group of eight affiliated companies with 1,600 employees spanning multiple states and countries.
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WILLMAR—Thanks to perfect weather last week, the concrete pour for the deck of the new Highway 12 bridge in Willmar was completed last week, according to the weekly Willmar Wye construction update from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Progress also continues on the Minnesota Highway 40 bridge, with pier construction concluding. Next up will be construction of the Highway 40 bridge abutments.
Read the full article at the West Central Tribune.
WILLMAR—Willmar’s Bright Light Head Start program opened its doors Wednesday at its new facility located along Highway 71 thanks to the efforts of United Community Action Partnership and the Kandiyohi Power Cooperative. The organizations worked together to create a larger and much needed space for Head Start, which is an early childhood education program.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held along with tours of the new building. The space, which underwent many renovations to turn it into an
WILLMAR—Kandiyohi County businesses and nonprofits are benefiting from the CARES Pandemic Relief Grant Program administered by the Kandiyohi County and city of Willmar Economic Development Commission.
According to a news release from the EDC, a variety of businesses and nonprofits have applied and received more than $700,000 in grants. The businesses that have received the funds average 7.5 years in business with 167 full-time equivalent jobs.
Read the full article at the West Central Tribune.
WILLMAR—Grabbing onto business opportunities that blend innovative engineering skills and rapidly advancing 3D printing technology, three brothers are expanding their role in digital manufacturing that could be a game-changer for all manufacturers—and a benefit to consumers.
During a media tour Tuesday that included a live, virtual broadcast, Carl, Brian and Sean Douglass talked about their expanding business, DI Labs, at their new location in Willmar.
DI Labs was started in 2013 in Spicer. As
