Little Crow Golf Resort:
The Little Crow Golf Resort off of Highway 23 between New London and Spicer officially opened in July of 2018! The $7.8 million project includes a new 51-room GrandStay hotel, 300-seat event center, 80-seat restaurant, and new clubhouse. The EDC assisted the project partners to obtain nearly $1 million in tax abatement assistance over 10 years from Kandiyohi County. This project transforms the 27-hole golf course from a seasonal recreational facility to a year-round, major destination draw in Kandiyohi County and West Central Minnesota.
Midtown Plaza:
The Midtown Plaza, a business center for diverse business owners in Downtown Willmar, opened in February of 2018. The building owners, Zack Mahboub and Sahra Gure, acquired the former Erickson Furniture Building and renovated the first floor into space for various retail businesses. The EDC assisted in putting together a $400,000 financial package for the new business from four different funding sources, including a $30,000 direct loan from the EDC’s Revolving Loan Fund. The anchor tenant at Midtown Plaza is Ain-U-Shams, a grocery store, and deli. Other businesses include Badane (a men’s & women’s tailor), Zahrina Beauty Supply (a fragrance, perfume, clothing and purse shop), Bismilahi Kids Shopping Center, and Baga (a women’s clothing store). The public is welcome to come explore Midtown Plaza and shop at these local businesses.
Goat Ridge Brewing Company:
Goat Ridge Brewing Company in New London opened in April of 2015. The building owners Joshua Reed and Kelly Asche, had a long-term vision of what they wanted to do but needed help. The EDC assisted Goat Ridge in creating business planning documents and securing funding. Out of the initial $112,000 needed, the EDC provided a $45,000 loan guarantee in conjunction with a local lender. Subsequently, the owners expanded the building in 2017 to provide more seating and events, and in July of 2018 an attached farm-to-table restaurant Model Citizen was constructed and opened!