WILLMAR—Housing has long been a priority for the Kandiyohi County Board and at the April 4 meeting the commissioners took a step toward helping to respond to that need.
In a unanimous vote the board approved the ordinance forming a housing trust fund, which can be used to help fund local housing projects.
“The board is wanting to get some movement in this direction,” said Commissioner Corky Berg. “I think it is a start, but it is a great start.”
The process to create
ATWATER—As the tape seal was peeled off the door of the egg incubator, the soft “cheep, cheeps” from dozens, if not hundreds, of newly-hatched chicks started to rise in volume, indicating another successful hatching at Dahline Poultry. These chicks would soon find themselves being shipped across the country, following thousands before them.
“Right now we are shipping anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 a week,” said Hunter Dahline, the 18-year-old owner and founder of Dahline
WILLMAR—With one success under their belt, it might not be a total surprise that the owners of the first USDA-inspected mobile poultry processing facility in the country would also be behind the first halal-certified goat and sheep slaughter facility in the state of Minnesota.
“The closest halal plant is Chicago,” said Greg Wierschke, and there is a growing unmet need in and around Minnesota for a slaughter facility that can process goat
Greg and Becky Wierschke, founders and owners
WILLMAR—During the state of the city address at Tuesday’s Willmar City Council meeting, Mayor Doug Reese touted the recent accomplishments of the city under former Mayor Marv Calvin, the City Council and city staff. He also set his agenda for the upcoming year.
“Tonight’s a night to reflect on our progress and look forward to the future of Willmar,” Reese said. “And, first of all I would like to thank the citizens of Willmar for their overwhelming support in the election. I count it
WILLMAR — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Feb. 1 announced the city of Willmar was awarded a $200,000 grant through Safe Streets and Roads for All , which will allow the city to complete a citywide Safety Action Plan to address safety, accessibility and equity concerns throughout the city’s transportation system.
Willmar received one of 12 grants awarded to communities in Minnesota, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation. There were 510 grant awards
WILLMAR — Kandiyohi County is seeking grants to extend broadband service to three more townships.
The County Board voted Tuesday morning to use nearly $400,000 of federal funds held by the county and to seek other funding to provide high-speed broadband to addresses in Lake Elizabeth, East Lake Lillian and Harrison townships.
Mark Boeschen, broadband chair for the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, described the two projects.
Funding would come from the county’s
WILLMAR — The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission Broadband Committee remains committed to working with internet providers to complete broadband construction projects in Kandiyohi County so that all premises have access to high-speed internet, according to a news release from the EDC.
The state’s Broadband Line Extension Connection Program is a great opportunity for businesses and residents outside of the recent Border-to-Border Broadband Development
KANDIYOHI COUNTY — Frustrations about broadband boiled over recently during a meeting of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission ‘s joint powers board.
Frustrations were also shared during a recent roundtable discussion in Willmar with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon.
The EDC wants to see fiber across the county, providing equal access to all residents, and the EDC’s broadband committee has been working on the issue for a couple of decades,
WILLMAR — Hemponix will open a new hemp retail store and ecommerce/warehouse site Friday at 1425 First St. S. in Willmar, according to Hemponix Facebook page.
Hemponix is a hemp farm located in rural New London that transitioned from an aeroponic lettuce-growing operation to a hemp-growing operation in 2018, according to Hemponix founder and master grower Kevin Ortenblad.
It was one of the first hemp farms in the state, Hemponix chief executive and partner Sam Romain told the Willmar City Council
WILLMAR — Nexyst, in the next 60 days, plans to close on a $1.1 million purchase agreement for at least 137 acres in the Willmar Industrial Park to accommodate a $40 million project — constructing an agricultural distribution complex — according to Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission.
“This is kind of an exciting development,” he said as he shared a site plan with Planning Commission members on Nov. 16.
The project
