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City of Willmar awarded $200,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant

WILLMAR — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Feb. 1 announced the city of Willmar was awarded a $200,000 grant through Safe Streets and Roads for All , which will allow the city to complete a citywide Safety Action Plan to address safety, accessibility and equity concerns throughout the city’s transportation system. Willmar received one of 12 grants […]

Kandiyohi County planning to extend broadband to three more townships

WILLMAR — Kandiyohi County is seeking grants to extend broadband service to three more townships. The County Board voted Tuesday morning to use nearly $400,000 of federal funds held by the county and to seek other funding to provide high-speed broadband to addresses in Lake Elizabeth, East Lake Lillian and Harrison townships. Mark Boeschen, broadband chair for the Kandiyohi […]

Kandiyohi County encourages residents with inadequate broadband to apply for Minnesota line extension program

WILLMAR — The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission Broadband Committee remains committed to working with internet providers to complete broadband construction projects in Kandiyohi County so that all premises have access to high-speed internet, according to a news release from the EDC. The state’s Broadband Line Extension Connection Program is a great opportunity for businesses […]

Sarah Swedburg of Kandiyohi County and Willmar EDC earns title of Emerging Young Professional of the Year

Sarah Swedburg, the business development manager for the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, was recognized Thursday night as Emerging Young Professional of the Year by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota for her achievements in economic and community development in Kandiyohi County. Read the full story at the WC Tribune

Announcing DEED’s One Minnesota Budget Priorities

By Commissioner Steve Grove Budget items focus on decreasing disparities, paid family and medical leave, supporting small businesses, and more. On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the totality of their One Minnesota Budget, which includes Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) budget proposals that I’m excited to share with […]

Ag Jobs staffing service fills a gap in the workforce while providing jobs for immigrants in the Willmar area

By Jennifer Kotila Solange Cooley started Ag Jobs in 2019 in Willmar and now employs more than 500 people, helping to fill a workforce shortage in the agricultural and manufacturing fields. WILLMAR — An attorney from Ecuador has found a new calling as a coach, mentor and friend for her employees at Ag Jobs. Solange Cooley […]

An Economic Development Year in Review

*second edition with full list of housing study partners 1.4.2023* Financial Wins | Community Projects |Workforce Support | Developments in Development How do we describe 2022 at the EDC? Productive. Progressive. Energetic. Significant. Community-Driven. In this issue, we share the stories of 2022.   Financial Wins $4.9 million Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant – 5 townships […]

Economic development director touts construction growth of $88 million in Willmar so far in 2022

WILLMAR — The year 2022 has turned out to be a strong year for construction for the city of Willmar, with $88 million being invested in the community, according to Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission. Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission Joint […]

Kandiyohi County awarded $4.9M state broadband grant to help fund project in five townships

WILLMAR — Kandiyohi County has finally received the news it has been waiting months to hear. The county was awarded a $4.9 million state Border-to-Border broadband grant to help fund a broadband expansion project in Arctander, Dovre, Lake Andrew, Mamre and St. Johns townships. “We are so excited. This is years in the making,” said […]

Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar EDC awarded $200,000 grant to help ease local child care crisis

WILLMAR — The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission received welcome news Thursday when Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced it was the recipient of a $200,000 child care grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “In every community across the state, we hear from families and small businesses that increasing […]

Kandiyohi County elected officials and leaders air grievances over broadband issues

KANDIYOHI COUNTY — Frustrations about broadband boiled over recently during a meeting of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission ‘s joint powers board. Frustrations were also shared during a recent roundtable discussion in Willmar with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. The EDC wants to see fiber across the county, providing equal access to […]

Hemponix retail store opens Friday in Willmar

WILLMAR — Hemponix will open a new hemp retail store and ecommerce/warehouse site Friday at 1425 First St. S. in Willmar, according to Hemponix Facebook page. Hemponix is a hemp farm located in rural New London that transitioned from an aeroponic lettuce-growing operation to a hemp-growing operation in 2018, according to Hemponix founder and master grower Kevin […]

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