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WILLMAR—While taking tours across Minnesota, Steve Grove has heard about the economic success stories as well as the economic challenges communities are experiencing. On Thursday, Grove—the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development—was in Willmar touring local businesses and hearing from community leaders about those challenges and opportunities. Grove had high praise for […]
WILLMAR — On Sept. 1, as a construction crew led by Project One Construction moves out, dozens of families will start the process of moving into their new homes in 15th Street Flats, the first multi-family housing project to be completed in Willmar in several years. Construction on the building, located at 1601 15th St. […]
WILLMAR — While an official grand opening date has yet to be announced to the public, the Kohl’s at Willmar’s Kandi Mall is starting to take shape. Weston Banker, senior coordinator for Kohl’s corporate public relations, said in an email to the West Central Tribune that the store will open this fall. Located on the […]
A wall-breaking ceremony takes place Tuesday at the Green Lake Mall in Spicer, launching a project to turn an unused portion of the mall into a YMCA daycare center that will provide spots for 90 children in northern Kandiyohi County. The center could be open as early as Dec. 1. Wielding sledgehammers and taking a […]
WILLMAR—Two local entities that have worked independently to provide information and opportunities for the agriculture industry are teaming up for a one-day conference Thursday in Willmar. Topics for the first-ever Partners in Ag Innovation Conference include new opportunities for industrial hemp, ag technology, marketing trends, government regulations and the art of cooking—and eating—locally-grown foods. The […]
WILLMAR — The Kandiyohi County Commissioners turned down a request Tuesday for a developer’s tax abatement to build a 24-unit apartment building in Willmar, saying they were concerned about the cost to taxpayers and citing worries about setting an unwelcome precedent. The board’s vote, which was unanimous, came after public testimony that was overwhelmingly in […]
WILLMAR — At the end of the old Willmar Municipal Airport runway Tuesday afternoon, golden shovels manned by federal, state and local dignitaries dug out the first few piles of dirt in the Willmar Wye railroad project. “It has been a long journey for many of us and we have accomplished a lot of things […]
Willmar – Exercise undoubtedly contributes to a healthier lifestyle, so why is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota putting $20,000 into a project here called “Sit With Me”? The answer can be found on the more than 600 ceramic tiles that people of all ages, races and ethnicities have painted this year as part […]
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 […]
