Patrick O'Rourke Named Top Pick for Kandiyohi EDC Role

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Kandiyohi fire engine No. 2 donated to start-up fire department in Mexico

With the coordination of area fire departments and some old connections, a fire truck previously slated to be retired will continue responding to fire and medical calls more than 3,000 miles away in Mexico. Read the full story from the West Central Tribune or view the story from CBS News.

Kandiyohi County Economic Development celebrates new office location

WILLMAR — Kandiyohi County Economic Development on Tuesday celebrated its new office location in AppleTree Square, 1601 U.S. Highway 12 E. in Willmar. The organization also celebrated its new name and logos at the ribbon-cutting event. While the organization’s name for legal purposes remains Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, it has adopted […]

Governor Walz Announces $52 Million to Expand Broadband to nearly 8,000 Minnesota Homes and Businesses

October 9, 2024 [ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced $52 million in grants to expand broadband access to an estimated 7,700 homes and businesses throughout Minnesota. “Investing in broadband infrastructure benefits businesses and communities across the state,” said Governor Walz. “By connecting thousands of Minnesotans to businesses, education, and health care through broadband, we’re […]

Introducing Patrick O’Rourke

This letter originally appeared in the KCED Fall 2024 Newsletter I am excited to have been given this opportunity to serve Kandiyohi County as Executive Director of Kandiyohi County Economic Development (KCED). Since joining KCED as of August 1st, my wife, Terry, and I have moved into our home on Foot Lake in Willmar, attended […]

The Making of a Manufacturer: The MAP Program of Willmar High School

This article was first published in the KCED Fall 2024 Newsletter Jason Duininck, Business Developer for Duininck Inc., is quoted on the business’ website as saying, “I have always had an interest in helping people reach their potential and improving my community.” It is easy to see how the idea of building a partnership that […]

A Manufacturing Marvel: Minnesota Shrimp & Simply Shrimp

This article was originally published in the Fall 2024 KCED Newsletter. Driving South on Highway 71, right before you get to the turn-off for Blomkest, you may have passed the sign, “Simply Shrimp,” and below it, a picture of the state of Minnesota, with a red shrimp curling into it and the words “Minnesota Shrimp, […]

New News at KCED

KCED announces new staff, a new location, and a refreshed website. Read the full newsletter by clicking here.

Willmar company gets million dollar grant to build goat processing plant

(Willmar, MN) — A meat processing company in Kandiyohi County is getting some help from the USDA. The agency has given Clean Chickens and Company a grant of just over a million dollars to open a goat and lamb processing facility in Willmar. Michelle Marotzke of Kandiyohi County Economic Development says the grant is part […]

KCED approves hiring of new Executive Director

At its meeting today, Thursday, July 25, 2024, the KCED Joint Powers Board approved entering into an Employment Agreement with Patrick O’Rourke. O’Rourke holds a bachelor’s degree in communications electronic media management from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University – Bloomington School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Since […]

KCED Summer 2024 Newsletter: Leading Ladies: Women Shaping Ag-Related Business

This newsletter was published by KCED on June 17, 2024 On a Wing and a PrayerIt is a business success story that owners Becky and Greg Wierschke say started ‘on a wing and a prayer,’ a statement that could be applied to the two-business operation building a processing plant in the Willmar Industrial Park. Their […]

Patrick O’Rourke to be offered Kandiyohi County Economic Development position

WILLMAR – Patrick O’Rourke rose to the top of the executive director candidate list for Kandiyohi County Economic Development and will be offered the position. Four members of the Joint Powers Board for Kandiyohi County Economic Development, in a secret ballot, voted for O’Rourke as their top candidate; two members voted for him as the […]

KCED reveals finalists for executive director position

WILLMAR — Four finalists have been named for the executive director position for the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission — all of whom are local to Minnesota. The finalists chosen by the KCED Joint Powers Board are Paul Borgerding, Jolene Foss, Patrick O’Rourke and Brianna Sanders, according to a news release […]

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