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🌍✨ Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd & Sustainability with Us! ✨🌱 Earth Day is a time for action, learning, and community! Join us at these exciting events throughout West Central Minnesota to explore local solutions, connect with nature, and take steps toward a healthier planet. 🌎💚 📅 April 12 | Earth Day at Prairie Woods *TODAY* | 12 pm - 4 pm 📍 Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, Spicer, MN 🔬 Science Museum of Minnesota presentations, rock climbing, prairie walks, kids’ activities & more! FREE for all ages! https://buff.ly/57ewl5C 📅 April 24 | Earth Day in Action: Local Solutions for a Resilient Future | 2 pm - 5 pm 📍 Long Beach Community Hub, Long Beach, MN 💡 Learn about climate solutions & sustainability efforts. Register now! 🔗https://buff.ly/xxbh8UJ 📅 April 26 | Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids Day | 10 am - 2 pm 📍 Willmar Civic Center, Willmar, MN sponsored by the Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA and League of Women Voters of the Willmar Area 👩👧👦 A family-friendly event connecting kids with nature & healthy living! Sign up today! 🔗https://buff.ly/LFghEgf 🚗⚡ May 17 | Ride and Drive Event – Electric Cars | 11 am - 3 pm 📍 St. James Middle and High School 🔋 See electric vehicles and learn about clean transportation! No registration needed—just show up! 🍓🌿 May 24 | Fruit Production Workshop | 1 pm - 3 pm 📍 Prairie Ally Outdoor Center, Luverne, MN 🌾 Learn hands-on techniques for growing fruit successfully in Minnesota! Register now! 🔗https://buff.ly/yjQOCoi 🌿 Whether you’re exploring nature, learning about sustainability, or taking action for a greener future or looking to learn, there’s an event for everyone! 💚 Mark your calendars 💚 Thank you University of Minnesota Extension Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership for sharing these events 🙌🏽
💰 GET YOUR TAXES DONE FOR FREE! 💰 Last year, United Way of West Central Minnesota and United Community Action Partnership Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helped local individuals and families claim over $6 million in tax refunds with 2,700+ returns filed — and we’re ready to help YOU next! ✅ Certified volunteer preparers ✅ FREE tax filing for eligible individuals ✅ In-person & virtual options available ✅ Year-round service across SW Minnesota 📞 Call to book: 507-476-9283 💻 Or schedule online: https://buff.ly/64rvNRc
🚨 Stay in the Loop with KCED! 🚨 Our KCED Quarterly Newsletter is the best way to stay updated on local projects, business news, and community stories. Sign up today so you never miss an issue! 📰 📢 Correction Notice: We’ve made an update to the Winter 2024 edition regarding the Raymond Area Museum . Get the full corrected story here: https://buff.ly/h7ZRqS8 👉 Sign up now to get the latest KCED news straight to your inbox!
🧵✨ Great Sewing Adventures Across Minnesota! ✨🧵 Join the All Minnesota Shop Hop from April 1 – May 31, 2025! Visit Paisley Threads in New London to grab your Shop Hop Magazine, collect exclusive fabrics, and get your passport stamped for prizes! 🎉 Travel, shop, and sew—don’t miss out! Learn full details Willmar Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau calendar:
⚒️ There's no treasure under that "X"! 💰 🚁 Heads up, Southwest Minnesota! MnDOT is kicking off aerial mapping from late March to early May. Keep an eye out for large white "X" markers—they help with transportation planning and highway design. 📍 Leave them be! More details here:
❄️ ❄️ The KCED office is closing early at 2:00 pm today, Wednesday, April 2nd ❄️ ❄️ If you have to drive today remember you can visit Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 511 site: https://511mn.org You can even see where snow plows are in the road! 🛻 ⛄️
📣This week's business highlight is 🌷 Mill Pond Salon✨, located in New London! This downtown staple is now open again 🚪 with new owners, Brittany Johnson and Jean Klose. Jean has been in the hair styling business for 31 years, and Brittany for 15. Together, these masterminds have created a fresh new salon and store 🏪. Now offering not only👩🏽❤️👨🏽 hair styling but also manicures💅🏽, pedicures, facials 🤩, skincare 🧴, spray tans🤳🏽, massage therapy ☮️, and more! You can visit and spoil yourself even further with a continuously growing boutique that will eventually include hair accessories and jewelry (stop in today for a super cute and cozy sweatshirt!). When asked what they enjoy most about the business, they both agree that "it's the relationships we build. We see people through their ups and downs, we celebrate and support them!" 💖 🔎 Mill Pond Salon is seeking two additional stylists to join their team! Contact them (see below) to learn more today. ▶️ The Mill Pond Salon is located at 50 S Main St, New London. You can reach them by phone at 320-347-1074 or email at millpond2025@gmail.com. Online scheduling makes busy lives more manageable - download the Vagaro App today. ◀️
🧐 Did you know? Starting in 2026, Minnesota workers will have access to Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)—providing paid time off for medical needs, family care, or bonding with a new child! This program helps employees maintain financial stability while supporting businesses in retaining a strong workforce. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has resources to help both employers and workers prepare, including: 📌 Program details & key dates 📌 Employer responsibilities & compliance info 📌 How employees can access benefits 🔗 Learn more:
