economic development

Workforce summit held in Willmar to help businesses recruit and retain

January 21, 2022

Workforce summit held in Willmar to help businesses recruit and retain
WILLMAR—The world and its workforce have changed dramatically over the past several years and employers need to change right along with them. That was the overall message at the Workforce Solutions Summit held Thursday in Willmar. Sponsored and produced by a partnership of several regional economic development and community organizations, the summit brought dozens from the surrounding business area to the Willmar Community (sic) Center. There were presentations on labor market trends, diversifying

FedEx behind massive logistics facility being constructed in Willmar Industrial Park

January 13, 2022

FedEx behind massive logistics facility being constructed in Willmar Industrial Park
WILLMAR—The end user for the massive logistics facility being constructed in the Willmar Industrial Park has finally been identified publicly. “It’s official; it is FedEx,” said Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and city of Willmar Economic Development Commission. The project is estimated to be worth more than $30 million, and includes the construction of a 217,000-square-foot distribution center, located between Willmar and Trott Avenues Southwest along

MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar requesting tax abatement for three additional buildings to be renovated

December 14, 2021

MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar requesting tax abatement for three additional buildings to be renovated
WILLMAR—Fifteen years after it was first established, the MinnWest Technology Campus continues to be transformed into one of Kandiyohi County’s economic development stars. Currently, it is home to 27 different companies offering employment to 693 people, with an average salary of $55,000 a year. “It is a real gem for this community,” said James Sieben, president of both the campus and Nova-Tech Engineering, one of the largest employers on the campus located in Willmar. However,

Jennie-O Turkey Store’s Benson Avenue plant in Willmar to close

December 9, 2021

Jennie-O Turkey Store’s Benson Avenue plant in Willmar to close
WILLMAR—The Jennie-O Turkey Store plant located on Benson Avenue just west of downtown Willmar will be closing in the first half of fiscal year 2022, according to a news release from Hormel Foods, which owns Jennie-O. The news comes as Hormel reports double-digit sales growth in every segment of the business in the fourth quarter. The release said that team members at the plant on Benson Avenue will transition to the Willmar Avenue plant, which is both newer and larger than the Benson Avenue location.

Arvig moving forward with broadband project in Prinsburg, Minnesota, funded partially by coronavirus relief funds

December 6, 2021

Arvig moving forward with broadband project in Prinsburg, Minnesota, funded partially by coronavirus relief funds
PRINSBURG—Approximately 500 residents of Prinsburg will soon have the option of purchasing high-speed broadband services. Following the construction of an 8.1-mile fiber network, the city will have access to speeds reaching one gigabit for residents and 10 gigabits for businesses. “Arvig is committed to bringing the highest quality broadband services to rural communities like Prinsburg,” said Mark Birkholz, director of customer operations and southern markets at Arvig, in a news release

City of Prinsburg takes next step for broadband project

November 8, 2021

City of Prinsburg takes next step for broadband project
PRINSBURG, MN, November 8, 2021: On Tuesday, November 2nd, the Prinsburg City Council held a community broadband meeting at the Prinsburg Community Center to complete the next step towards a fiber-to-the home broadband project in partnership with Arvig. Over 40 people were in attendance, including community members and business owners, City representatives, Arvig Enterprises, Inc., and Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission Broadband Committee members. Access to high-speed

Economic developer finds region is fertile grounds for diverse spectrum of entrepreneurs, for lots of good reasons

November 1, 2021

Economic developer finds region is fertile grounds for diverse spectrum of entrepreneurs, for lots of good reasons
HUTCHINSON—More than two decades of helping entrepreneurs get started in southwest Minnesota has taught Scott Marquardt many lessons, but perhaps none so important as these. This place grows them, and they like it here. How else to explain the Douglass brothers, Carl, Brian and Sean, and their commitment to Douglass Innovations in northern Kandiyohi County? They turn dreams into finished products on a 24-hour cycle taking advantage of advanced 3D printer technology. “They could do this anywhere,”

Bethesda opens New London location just in time to celebrate 125 years in operation

October 30, 2021

Bethesda opens New London location just in time to celebrate 125 years in operation
NEW LONDON—Set among rolling hills covered in prairie grass and oak trees, Bethesda North Pointe, in rural New London, is the newest senior living community in Kandiyohi County. Construction of the $21 million project began in the fall of 2019 and the facility is set to begin welcoming new residents this fall—just as Bethesda launches its year-long 125th anniversary celebration. Founded in 1897, Bethesda operates its flagship, multi-faceted senior care facility complex in Willmar, as well as

Willmar Poultry to purchase additional land from city for expansion project

October 29, 2021

Willmar Poultry to purchase additional land from city for expansion project
WILLMAR—Two public hearings will be held at the Nov. 1 Willmar City Council meeting in regard to an expansion project at the Willmar Poultry Innovations facility near the Willmar Wastewater Treatment Plant on the western outskirts of Willmar. The public hearings are mandated before the council can consider selling and rezoning the property Willmar Poultry is interested in buying. The land in question wraps around the current poultry facility located on Kandiyohi County Road 116/75th Street, next

A vision of four lanes from one corner of the state to the other

October 29, 2021

A vision of four lanes from one corner of the state to the other
The Highway 23 Coalition has a vision of a four-lane corridor from the far southwest corner of the state near Luverne all the way up to Hinckley, just before drivers reach the popular North Shore. It is a vision that will require a lot of time, effort and money to make a reality, but it is a job the coalition seems willing to take on. “We want the whole corridor, and we are not going to stop until we get it,” said Donna Boonstra, coalition chair. In Minnesota, there isn’t a complete four-lane
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