Join Kandiyohi County's Growth with Our Economic Team!

We Are Your Neighbors

The important work you ask us to help with is conducted under the guidance of the Joint Operations, Joint Powers and numerous committees that help direct our work.

Staff

Our Committees

Joint Powers Board

Joint Operations Board

Meeting Agendas & Minutes

Kandiyohi County Economic Development Staff

Patrick O'Rourke

Executive Director

patrick@kandiyohi.com 320-894-5284

858531a4f73492996cf51a0b63dd5e31 edit (1)

Michelle Marotzke

Business Development Manager

michelle@kandiyohi.com 320-905-0069

Kelsey Olson

Marketing and Communications Specialist

kelsey@kandiyohi.com 320-979-5815

Tanna Stucky

Child Care Community Connector in partnership with United Community Action Partnership (UCAP)

tanna.stucky@unitedcapmn.org 320-894-9085

82be505acda4d7a36ceecc43edf66964 edit edit (1)

Nancy Birkeland

Owner of Legal & Administrative Assistances, Inc. | *Contracted* Office Administrator

Cathy Skindelien

Employee of Legal & Administrative Assistances, Inc. | *Contracted* Assistant Office Administrator

Our Committees

KCED’s work in focus areas is influenced by committees.
Meet our committees!

Meet Our Committees

Agriculture and Renewable Energy Development

Broadband and Advanced Technology

Business Retention and Expansion / Recruitment (BRE/R)

Finance

Marketing and Public Relations

Meet the KCED Joint Powers Board

The City of Willmar and Kandiyohi County make up the joint powers agreement that created Kandiyohi County Economic Development through an act of legislation. The City of Willmar and Kandiyohi County are integral to our development work.

In 2003, the City of Willmar and Kandiyohi County formed a joint powers agreement to create the Kandiyohi County Economic Development (KCED) through an act of legislation. The unified vision and goals created by the City of Willmar and Kandiyohi County reflect community service, engagement, and celebration with the support of business, childcare, broadband accessibility, ag innovation, and housing development.

Our mission, to be the catalyst of economic growth for all of Kandiyohi County, ultimately defines the scope of our work.

Kandiyohi County

Steve Gardner

2024 Chairperson
2021-Present

Corky Berg

2021-Present

Roger Imdieke

2023-Present

City of Willmar

Julie Asmus

Secretary
2019-Present

Vicki Davis

Vice Chairperson
2021-Present

Doug Reese

Treasurer
2023-Present

Meet the Joint Operations Board

KCED’s Joint Operations Board of Directors consists of seven members appointed by the Joint Powers Board of Commissioners and includes representatives from communities throughout the county, education providers, business and consumer groups. Board member terms are for three years and are limited to three full three-year terms. The Joint Operations Board meets at 11:00 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month, at the Community Room of Heritage Bank, Willmar.