WILLMAR — The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission heard good news last week, but also expressed concerns that the loss of the top two staffers in the city of Willmar’s planning department may delay some projects on which the EDC is currently working.

 

Aaron Backman, Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission executive director

The good news is that Midwest and Bluegrass Rail closed on its purchase of 144 acres in the Willmar Industrial Park on Sept. 6, according to Aaron Backman, executive director of the EDC.

MB Rail purchased the land for nearly $1.2 million, and will develop and manage the Willmar Rail Park , which takes advantage of the Willmar Wye with a rail loop and four spurs going into the park to accommodate different businesses. The development will take advantage of the decommissioned airport runway for staging purposes in loading and unloading rail cars.