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
WILLMAR—The number of apartment units continues to increase in Willmar as multi-family housing developments are constructed and opened.
Aaron Backman, director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, updated the commission’s joint operations board Sept. 9 about projects at various levels of development.
Block 25 Flats, to be constructed in downtown Willmar, is moving along, even though there have been some delays due to site contamination.
“That
WILLMAR—The pieces are starting to come together for the large logistics facility to be constructed on the west end of Willmar, in the Willmar Industrial Park.
The Willmar Planning Commission at Wednesday’s meeting recommended the approval of the project’s plan, and also approved the vacation of several easements in the property the developer is purchasing from the city.
“Packaging coming in, being sorted and going out” is what this logistics project will be about, said
WILLMAR—Sandwich lovers will soon have a new place to get their favorite Subway subs. Construction has begun on the new Willmar restaurant, located at the intersection of First Street South and Minnesota Avenue Southeast, across from Domino’s Pizza.
The building will be 2,200 square feet and will include a drive-thru on the east side of the structure. There will also be plenty of parking, with the city-required maximum of 37 spaces.
According to the building permit issued in July by
WILLMAR—The 24/7/365 small package sorting and distribution facility proposed to be built on 32 acres in the Willmar Industrial Park is looking more and more certain as the Willmar City Council began the land sale process and approved the purchase agreement at its Monday meeting.
“This really represents the kickoff of the actions you will see over the next 45 days,” said Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission.
The
