News

Willmar listed as a 2022 top micropolitan community by Site Selection magazine

March 17, 2023

Willmar listed as a 2022 top micropolitan community by Site Selection magazine
Willmar was one of two Minnesota cities to be included on the listing. The city will also be featured in an upcoming edition of Business View magazine focused on American Economic Resiliency. WILLMAR — The city of Willmar has been listed in the March 2023 edition of Site Selection magazine as one of the top 2022 micropolitan communities in the United States, according to Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Executive Director Aaron Backman. “(The magazine) goes out

Construction likely to begin this summer on apartment complex along Lakeland Drive Northeast in Willmar

March 8, 2023

Construction likely to begin this summer on apartment complex along Lakeland Drive Northeast in Willmar
A traffic study completed for the 216-unit Unique Opportunities apartment complex along Lakeland Drive Northeast in Willmar shows no roadway changes are needed to accommodate the increased traffic volume. WILLMAR — A completed traffic study for Lakeland Drive Northeast shows that the roadway is capable of handling the predicted increased traffic volumes that a proposed 216-unit apartment complex will create and no roadway changes are needed, which means the Unique Opportunities development

Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce announces Community Leadership Award recipients

March 8, 2023

Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce announces Community Leadership Award recipients
Recipients will be recognized at the Chamber Community Leadership Celebration breakfast at 7 a.m. Friday, March 31, at the Sibley Auditorium on the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar. WILLMAR — Three Kandiyohi County leaders will be recognized for contributions to their communities at the end of the month. The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its Community Leadership Award recipients — Hallie Johnson of CentraCare — Rice Memorial Hospital, Aaron Backman of the Kandiyohi

Housing study shows need for various types of properties across Kandiyohi County

February 28, 2023

Housing study shows need for various types of properties across Kandiyohi County
A housing study created for the county and city Economic Development Commission showed a need for nearly 1,000 housing units to be constructed across Kandiyohi County by 2030. WILLMAR — The 2023 Housing Market Analysis for Kandiyohi County identified a significant need for additional housing options across the county. While 48% of the county’s population lives within Willmar, the surrounding rural areas and 11 cities are home to thousands of people and they all need places to live. Read

A new housing report predicts the need for an additional 1,580 housing units in Willmar by 2030

February 28, 2023

A new housing report predicts the need for an additional 1,580 housing units in Willmar by 2030
It is predicted that seniors will see the most population growth and make up a large portion of the additional housing needed in Willmar and Kandiyohi County by 2030. WILLMAR — There is an estimated demand for an additional 1,580 housing units in the city of Willmar between 2022 and 2030, according to an updated housing report completed by Viewpoint Consulting . Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, presented the report

City of Willmar awarded $200,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant

February 7, 2023

City of Willmar awarded $200,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant
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

Kandiyohi County planning to extend broadband to three more townships

February 7, 2023

Kandiyohi County planning to extend broadband to three more townships
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

Kandiyohi County encourages residents with inadequate broadband to apply for Minnesota line extension program

February 3, 2023

Kandiyohi County encourages residents with inadequate broadband to apply for Minnesota line extension program
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

Sarah Swedburg of Kandiyohi County and Willmar EDC earns title of Emerging Young Professional of the Year

January 30, 2023

Sarah Swedburg, the business development manager for the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, was recognized Thursday night as Emerging Young Professional of the Year by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota for her achievements in economic and community development in Kandiyohi County. Read the full story at the WC Tribune

Announcing DEED’s One Minnesota Budget Priorities

January 30, 2023

By Commissioner Steve Grove Budget items focus on decreasing disparities, paid family and medical leave, supporting small businesses, and more. On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the totality of their One Minnesota Budget, which includes Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) budget proposals that I’m excited to share with you in more detail today.   Read the full story at the DEED Developments Blog
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