WILLMAR—The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission has had a front row seat to the challenges and hardship the coronavirus pandemic has brought to businesses and non-profits across the county. And since late March 2020 the EDC has also been in the driver’s seat of several financial relief programs, helping those businesses hang on.

“I am proud of the organization in terms of what we are trying to do to help businesses survive this rough patch,” said Aaron Backman, EDC executive director.

Backman and Connie Schmoll, EDC business development manager, gave an update on the EDC’s COVID response to the Joint Powers Board on Thursday.

“It has been a year like no other,” Backman said.

Read the full article by the West Central Tribune.