WILLMAR—A unique working relationship between a former dairy farmer from Blomkest, two former poultry farmers from Danube and a high-tech engineering company in Willmar could produce the first commercial-scale saltwater shrimp to be born, raised and processed in Minnesota.
There are some moving pieces to the puzzle to fit together yet, but the picture looks promising.
“Everyone’s watching to see what happens,” said Becky Bruns, who is nearly done upgrading equipment at her farm-raised shrimp
WILLMAR—There has been a local, state and national push to expand broadband access into underserved or unserved areas, especially since the pandemic has shown how instrumental it is to have reliable high-speed internet. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, in a visit to Willmar on Friday, joined a roundtable discussion about broadband to hear and learn about how broadband expansion is going in Kandiyohi County.
“I’ve been coming to Kandiyohi County to talk about broadband for a long time,”
WILLMAR—A large logistics facility to be constructed in the Willmar Industrial Park is still a go, though changes have been made to the land purchase agreement between the city and Ruedebusch Development & Construction National, the project developer.
The Willmar City Council, at its meeting Monday, made amendments to the purchase agreement and major subdivision plat. The council also approved the development agreement with RDC National, which lays out the responsibilities of each party.
RDC
WILLMAR— State representatives serving on the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee stopped briefly in Willmar on Tuesday to learn about three local projects requesting state funding from the upcoming capital budget, or bonding bill.
Cliff Carmody, executive director of the cooperative, spoke on the expansion project for the Willmar center, which is located on the MinnWest campus. The center provides educational services for special education students. Currently, 31 students are enrolled
WILLMAR—In 2017, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners approved a five-year local option sales tax to fund four road improvement projects covering 10 miles of road and one bridge at a cost of $14 million. Revenue collection began in 2018 and is set to expire in 2022.
Mel Odens, Kandiyohi County Public Works director, is hoping the County Board will approve extending the half-cent sales tax for another seven years.
“The request is seven years of a sales tax, 11 projects, 40 miles
NEW LONDON—Despite being one of the oldest cultivated crops in history, the hemp industry—at least in the U.S.—is only just beginning to re-establish its roots, dogged for decades by legal issues and social stigma.
However, in the wake of the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally recognizes hemp as an agricultural crop, and with research confirming the medical efficacy of cannabinoids, enterprising farmers throughout the country are hoping to cash in on the myriad of products derived from the plant.
But
WILLMAR—If you are looking for a job or new career challenge, join EDC staff tomorrow, October 13, 2021 from 12-5 p.m. for the West Central Minnesota Area Job Fair. The EDC and 53 employers will be at Ridgewater College for this job fair. Bring your resume and dress for success!
Masks required on campus.
NEW LONDON—The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners continues to approve grants to broadband expansion projects, using the county’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation.
At Tuesday’s board meeting, the commissioners approved funding up to $185,828 to help pay for broadband upgrades in three neighborhoods located in New London Township and a small piece of Burbank Township.
“The (Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission) broadband committee has
WILLMAR—The vehicles that drive along Willmar’s streets will soon have a spa for their very own.
The Willmar City Council at the Sept. 20 meeting approved the minor subdivision of what is known as the Patterson Parcel, the site of the closed Kandi Entertainment Center at the intersection of 19th Avenue and Fifth Street Southeast. The parcel is being split in two.
To be constructed on the parcel nearest to 19th Avenue will be Tidal Wave Auto Spa, a national chain of express conveyor
PRINSBURG—As has been the common theme over the past 18 months, residents in Prinsburg have grown to learn just how important high-speed internet can be. And like so many communities, the city has found what the local providers have to offer isn’t enough.
“They are just not able to meet our needs,” said Roger Ahrenholz, Prinsburg mayor, at Tuesday’s Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Prinsburg is considered underserved by the Minnesota Department of Employment
