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FedEx behind massive logistics facility being constructed in Willmar Industrial Park

WILLMAR—The end user for the massive logistics facility being constructed in the Willmar Industrial Park has finally been identified publicly. “It’s official; it is FedEx,” said Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and city of Willmar Economic Development Commission. The project is estimated to be worth more than $30 million, and includes the […]

Kandiyohi County Commissioners and state legislators agree on importance of broadband

WILLMAR—At their annual visit to the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners, District 17 Senator Andrew Lang, R-Olivia, and District 17B Representative Dave Baker, R-Willmar, were on hand to not only give an update on what is happening in St. Paul, but to also take in the concerns and priorities of the board. “We’re here today to […]

Kandiyohi County continues to wage war against aquatic invasive species

WILLMAR— Despite a shortage of trained inspectors, Kandiyohi County was able to stop 230 violations of the state’s aquatic invasive species rules at boat launches of several county lakes this year. Any one of those violations, if the boats had reached the water, could have led to increased spread of aquatic invasive species, which are known to have a […]

Ridgewater offering no-cost nursing classes to address shortage

As a means of alleviating nursing home staffing shortages, Ridgewater College announced this week that it will be offering nursing assistant classes—at no cost—to participating students. These classes will be offered on both the Willmar and Hutchinson campuses starting Jan. 3 with the 32 students already enrolled, scheduled to complete their courses by Jan. 31. […]

Kandiyohi County gives money for broadband

WILLMAR—Twenty-three homes along 30th Avenue Northwest in Dovre Township of Kandiyohi County might soon have access to high-speed broadband. A proposed Charter project would bring speeds up to 100 megabits download and 20 megabits upload to the area, which is currently considered unserved by the state. “It is kind of isolated,” said Kandiyohi County Administrator […]

A new class of future Kandiyohi County business leaders graduates from Elevate Business Academy

WILLMAR—Their business dreams include a barbecue restaurant, a fashion line, a shoe store, a family entertainment destination and the continued success of a community coffee house. The seven men and women—Candace Aaker, Nick Aaker, Mohammed Abdi, Daniel Carranza, Fatouma Hachim, Hans Hibma and Victoria Hibma—who participated in the second class of the Elevate Business Academy […]

Downtown Willmar streetscape project to be redesigned to meet grant fund parameters

WILLMAR—The streetscape project being proposed for the intersection of Litchfield Avenue and Fourth Street Southwest in downtown Willmar has hit a rather large snag. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, which administers the Small Cities grant program from which most of the funding is coming, has raised serious concerns about the plan and […]

Willmar School Board adopts tax levy and passes, for now, on proposal to develop turf field near Willmar Civic Center

WILLMAR—The property tax levy that funds Willmar Public Schools will decrease 1% in the next year. The Willmar School Board voted at its meeting Monday to adopt the levy, following its Truth-in-Taxation public hearing. The board also heard a presentation about possibly developing a full football stadium at the new turf football field between the […]

MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar requesting tax abatement for three additional buildings to be renovated

WILLMAR—Fifteen years after it was first established, the MinnWest Technology Campus continues to be transformed into one of Kandiyohi County’s economic development stars. Currently, it is home to 27 different companies offering employment to 693 people, with an average salary of $55,000 a year. “It is a real gem for this community,” said James Sieben, […]

Jennie-O Turkey Store’s Benson Avenue plant in Willmar to close

WILLMAR—The Jennie-O Turkey Store plant located on Benson Avenue just west of downtown Willmar will be closing in the first half of fiscal year 2022, according to a news release from Hormel Foods, which owns Jennie-O. The news comes as Hormel reports double-digit sales growth in every segment of the business in the fourth quarter. […]

MnDOT pauses safety project on Highways 23 and 9 in New London after public concerns

NEW LONDON—A safety improvement project at state Highways 23 and 9 by New London has been paused as the Minnesota Department of Transportation District 8 re-evaluates the plans following ongoing concerns from the New London City Council and others in the public. “We’ve made the decision to step back to have more discussion with the […]

Arvig moving forward with broadband project in Prinsburg, Minnesota, funded partially by coronavirus relief funds

PRINSBURG—Approximately 500 residents of Prinsburg will soon have the option of purchasing high-speed broadband services. Following the construction of an 8.1-mile fiber network, the city will have access to speeds reaching one gigabit for residents and 10 gigabits for businesses. “Arvig is committed to bringing the highest quality broadband services to rural communities like Prinsburg,” […]

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