EDC

Highway 23 four-lane project from Willmar to I-94 needs community push

May 15, 2017

Highway 23 four-lane project from Willmar to I-94 needs community push
WILLMAR—A loose-knit coalition of local transportation advocates may soon be reinvented—and reignited—in its mission to complete a four-lane route between Willmar and St. Cloud. The group has been lobbying for decades to make state Highway 23 a four-lane link to Interstate 94. Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, wants to broaden that coalition to bring in more community partners and give the group more structure that

EDC boards determine 2017 goals

April 28, 2017

EDC boards determine 2017 goals
At their recently held strategic planning session, the EDC’s boards identified four overarching goals on which to focus their efforts: The EDC will strengthen partnerships and connections with existing businesses to be a catalyst and build capacity for organic growth.  The EDC will explore and increase operations to support efforts to improve the tax base by attracting new residents with higher income and educational levels. The EDC will position and market itself as the expert in business

Survey shows power of ag on Kandiyohi County economy

April 10, 2017

Survey shows power of ag on Kandiyohi County economy
WILLMAR—The surprising optimism of farmers in spite of bleak revenues and the powerful punch agriculture has on the local economy were two key points revealed by an in-depth survey of Kandiyohi County ag producers. A report on the survey, which was commissioned by the Ag and Renewable Energy Committee of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, was presented last week at two public forums. The report will help the committee “develop a plan and a vision”

Developing a vision: EDC reviews retail data to help economic strategy for the future

March 25, 2017

Developing a vision: EDC reviews retail data to help economic strategy for the future
WILLMAR—A newly completed report with data that show the strengths and weaknesses in retail trade in the city of Willmar and Kandiyohi County is being used to develop a vision and strategy for continued economic growth in the community. During a day-long planning session Thursday at the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center in rural Spicer, members of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission got a look at the graphs and summaries in the 43-page report that

‘Meet and greets’ scheduled for Kandiyohi County broadband project

March 16, 2017

‘Meet and greets’ scheduled for Kandiyohi County broadband project
SPICER — A series of “meet and greets” will be held over the next three weeks for residents and businesses within the proposed service zone of a broadband project by Consolidated Telecommunications Co. The meetings are scheduled for this coming Monday; Thursday, March 23; and April 4. All three will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Dethlefs Senior Center in Spicer. The sessions will be an opportunity for residents to meet representatives of Consolidated Telecommunications Co.,

EDC to Assist Minority-Owned Businesses

January 31, 2017

EDC to Assist Minority-Owned Businesses
WILLMAR—As Willmar’s population continues to diversify, with people coming to the city from around the world, the business community is also growing and changing, with dozens of businesses owned and operated by minorities. “They increasingly represent a significant portion of our economy,” said Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission. To make sure the EDC can assist those businesses, Backman applied to the Southwest

Broadband grant project area

January 24, 2017

Broadband grant project area
Curious as to whether or not you are within Consolidated Telecommunication Co.’s (CTC) grant area in north central and northwestern Kandiyohi County?  The above map shows the grant area outlined in pink. If you are not sure if you are within this area, contact Connie Schmoll, Business Development Specialist, at the EDC. If you are in this area, expect contact from CTC this year. In order to take advantage of deployment, potential customers will need to sign up with CTC for broadband services,

Kandiyohi County broadband projects receive nearly $6 million

January 11, 2017

Kandiyohi County broadband projects receive nearly $6 million
WILLMAR—Local leaders greeted the announcement of broadband grant funds Wednesday with enthusiasm, calling it good news for rural Kandiyohi County. Two projects in Kandiyohi County made the list of recipients of border-to-border technology infrastructure development grants, announced Wednesday by state officials. Consolidated Telecommunications Co. will receive $4.94 million to improve high-speed internet services in a rural neighborhood that includes the New London, Spicer and Willmar areas. The

Gauging the health of agriculture

November 22, 2016

Gauging the health of agriculture
WILLMAR—A survey that will gauge the current health and provide a glimpse of the future growth of agriculture in Kandiyohi County will be conducted this winter with the goal of finding solutions to issues that farmers identify as problems. Multiple teams of volunteers are being recruited to conduct face-to-face surveys with 65 active farmers who will be asked to respond to questions about their operations and what they see for their farms’ future. The survey may reveal “red flag”

EDC Encourages Expansion

November 21, 2016

EDC Encourages Expansion
During 2016, the EDC has been working to assist several expansions, including the Kandi Mall Rehabilitation Project, Glacial Ridge Hospitality, and the ERC expansion. Each of these projects not only offers significant capital investment, but also involves a lot of planning and interaction with businesses. Through these projects and more, around 350 new jobs will be generated in Kandiyohi County during the next two years. The EDC is committed to working with the business community to create opportunities
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