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Willmar, Olivia look to brighten up downtowns with the arts

WILLMAR—The cities of Olivia and Willmar hope the Artists on Main Street program will bring new excitement to their downtowns, which have seen significant changes and challenges in the last several years. “We will be able to use art as a problem solver. We can use art to confront some of those challenges downtown, the […]

Kandiyohi County to start phasing in online-only campsite reservations

WILLMAR—Kandiyohi County will deliver a strong nudge this coming year to get the public to make reservations online for campsites at its county parks. When reservations open Jan. 14 for the 2019 camping season, the first two weeks will be set aside for those who register and pay online. Phone reservations won’t open until Jan. […]

Local interest in growing and processing hemp: EDC committee will conduct feasibility study for market options

WILLMAR— With the potential for high per-acre profits there’s increasing interest in growing industrial hemp on west central Minnesota farms. But with limited processing options available, an untested market chain and federal law that still classifies industrial hemp as a controlled substance, there are a few roadblocks yet to overcome. That’s why a feasibility study […]

Willmar sells land for package sorting, distribution facility

WILLMAR — A purchase agreement for 14.46 acres of land in the Willmar Industrial Park has been signed between the city of Willmar and JDC Property Group LLC. JDC is purchasing the land and constructing a package sorting and distribution facility for logistics company that so far has not been named publicly. The sale price […]

Ridgewater ranked top public auto mechanics program

WILLMAR, MN — Ridgewater College has been ranked the top public college for students pursuing an auto mechanic certificate. The Washington Monthly magazine recently ranked nearly 100 public and private community colleges.   Washington Monthly has rated universities and four- and two-year colleges in the past. However, this is the first time it has ranked […]

Ridgewater brings $170 million to area’s economy, study says

WILLMAR — Ridgewater College contributes more than $170 million to the region’s economy, according to a study by the Minnesota State system of public colleges and universities. The study indicates the college also contributes 1,456 jobs to the area, according to a news release from Ridgewater. “At Ridgewater College, our top priority is the success […]

NLS seeks funds for new school arts endowment, announces $100K matching grant

NEW LONDON—The inaugural theater performance Thursday night in the New London-Spicer School District’s Performing Arts Center concluded with a standing ovation for the cast and crew of “The Wizard of Oz”—and news that a new arts endowment fund was being launched to help student arts programming well into the future. The fund is getting a […]

Willmar sells land for package sorting, distribution facility

WILLMAR—A purchase agreement for 14.46 acres of land in the Willmar Industrial Park has been signed between the city of Willmar and JDC Property Group LLC. JDC is purchasing the land and constructing a package sorting and distribution facility for logistics company that so far has not been named publicly. The sale price for the […]

Ridgewater brings $170 million to area’s economy, study says

WILLMAR—Ridgewater College contributes more than $170 million to the region’s economy, according to a study by the Minnesota State system of public colleges and universities. The study indicates the college also contributes 1,456 jobs to the area, according to a news release from Ridgewater. “At Ridgewater College, our top priority is the success of our […]

Rezoning in Willmar Industrial Park could bring increased day care spots

WILLMAR — The Willmar Planning Commission and Willmar City Council have paved the way for a possible commercial day care center to open in the Willmar Industrial Park. “This has really developed into an issue. Daycare, which is the proposed use of the Peart property, has really grown in interest in this community. Everybody knows […]

RockStep continues to envision a successful future for Kandi Mall

WILLMAR—While he wasn’t able to give any specifics about possible new stores opening up in Willmar’s Kandi Mall, Andy Weiner, president of RockStep Capital, the owner of the shopping center, did say there has been movement. This is especially true for the empty Kmart portion of the mall, which has stood vacant since 2012. “We […]

Honoring the legacy of Bill Graves: Centerpiece wall of unique Domino’s store in Willmar tells his story

WILLMAR — Before his death in a plane crash on Feb. 4, 2015, William “Bill” Graves had recently celebrated the opening of his 100th Domino’s franchise. It was an amazing accomplishment from someone who first started as a Domino’s driver before opening his very first franchise in 1985. That first store was located in Apple […]

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