- All
- Business Development
- Community Chronicles
- Housing Development
- Info
- News
- Newsletter Articles
- Partners
- Stories from Your Neighbors
- Success Stories
- Transportation/Logistics Development
- Value-Added Agriculture
Thomas L. Friedman recently wrote an article about the Willmar Lakes area. The article was published in the New York Times and features interviews from various Willmar Lakes area citizens. Read the full article below or on the New York Times website. President Trump, Come to Willmar This Minnesota town is a modern, successful American […]
During the past quarter, the EDC engaged partners to create an innovative Retail Business Design Workshops, a 10-week program that included five merchandising workshops for small retailers in Kandiyohi County. There were nine partners in this effort—the University of Minnesota Extension, University of Minnesota (U of M) College of Design, EDC, Ridgewater College, Willmar Main Street, Spicer Economic […]
Like many areas of Minnesota, Kandiyohi County is experiencing a lack of quality childcare. A study completed by First Children’s Finance in 2018 revealed a current shortage of childcare access for at least 775 children in Kandiyohi County. The areas with the most need include Spicer, New London and Willmar. The survey identified challenges of […]
A new multi-family housing project is rising in southeast Willmar near the Highway 23/71 bypass–15th Street Flats. This affordable housing project consisting of 47 multi-family rental units is definitely taking shape. Commonwealth Development, the project developer, closed on funding with the State of Minnesota on August 31, 2018. Commonwealth gave the notice to proceed with construction […]
The 2019 Strategic Planning Session for the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission (EDC) took place this past March. EDC Marketing and Public Relations Committee Vice Chair, Melissa Knott, shares her experience with us as a first-time attendee: “On March 14th, I had the pleasure of attending the 2019 Strategic Planning Session for the […]
Late in 2018, Willmar City Planner, Sarah Swedburg, published another episode of “the Buzz”. In this episode, Sarah talks about several projects taking place in our community. Co-Op Credit Union Co-Op Credit Union is located on the corner of 5th street and 19th avenue. Construction of this project is underway and is scheduled to be […]
Popular destination in Kandiyohi County was designated on April 23, 1919 Celebration events are planned throughout the summer to honor 100 years of Sibley State Park, according to the Department of Natural Resources. The park, in west-central Minnesota, is named for the state’s first governor, Henry Hastings Sibley, and was funded by the state Legislature […]
After meeting with representatives of nonprofit senior living organization Bethesda, of Willmar, the City of New London passed a resolution Wednesday evening calling for a public hearing to establish a TIF (tax increment financing) District. This TIF District would allow Bethesda to construct a $16 million senior and assisted living facility in New London near […]
WILLMAR—To help move the construction of new 24-unit apartment building at the Sunwood Apartment Complex near Ridgewater College forward, developer AEHM LLC has requested the Willmar City Council consider approval of a 10-year tax abatement for the project. Gabe Olson, of AEHM, explained that with rising construction costs, the project would probably not be possible […]
WILLMAR — Building on their success last year to lobby the Minnesota Legislature for money to build two four-lane gaps between Willmar and Interstate 94, the Highway 23 Coalition has set new legislative goals for 2019. The board of directors for the coalition, which is a public-private partnership with more than 100 members that promotes […]
WILLMAR—As a requirement of the $606,000 Legacy grant Willmar received for improvements at Robbins Island Regional Park, the city needed to update the land use covenants for the park, to lay out in black and white that someday the park won’t turn into a strip mall or housing development. The park has covenants, but they […]
WILLMAR—The Kandi Mall’s southside anchor location has stood empty since 2012 when Kmart closed. For the past four years, Kohl’s has been eyeing Willmar as a possible location for a new store, according to Andy Weiner, CEO of RockStep Capital, owners of the mall. “We are thrilled to have Kohl’s open up a 40,000-square-foot store […]
