In May of 2017 a group of over 30 interested people, including business and government leaders, met in New London to discuss the need to finish the four-lane gaps on Highway 23, formalize the Highway 23 Coalition and elect officers. Since that time, the Coalition has incorporated, established a budget and the full membership elected a nine-member Board of Directors. Currently, there are more than 60 committed members of the Coalition, including 16 units of government, nearly 40 businesses and
The GrandStay Hotel & Event Center Project at Little Crow Country Club is officially underway!
Plans for the 51-room hotel, 300-seat event center, 75-seat restaurant and new Little Crow Country Club clubhouse finalized in early 2017; however, it took longer than initially envisioned to complete the $2.35 million equity drive for the project. Once the funding came together in July, the project moved ahead quickly.
Architectural plans finalized during the summer, loan closing occurred in early
MHFA Approves $15.8 million in Affordable Housing for Willmar
On October 19, 2017, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency announced it approved funding for two multi-family affordable housing projects in Willmar—15th Street Flats and Hanson Apartments. The former is a $9.3 million project that involves new construction of a building with 47 rental units on the southeast side of Willmar. The latter is a $6.5 million project that includes acquisition and rehabilitation of 56 rental units in two buildings
WILLMAR—In 2016 the city of Willmar approved over $60 million dollars in new construction and development ranging from major school projects to new homes and businesses. These projects popped up all over town from the Industrial Park and along Lakeland Drive to the retail center of First Street.
“2016 was a positive year,” said Bruce Peterson, Willmar Planning and Community Development director.
While Willmar still has a lack of housing in many areas, especially workforce housing, 2016
WILLMAR—The city of Willmar has already issued more new home construction permits in the first seven months of 2016 than it did all of last year.
“I think the demand is there,” said Bruce Peterson, Planning and Development Services director.
There have been 31 single-family dwelling construction permits this year, totaling about $6 million in permit value. Last year there were 12 single-family and 10 twin homes, Peterson said.
Peterson said he believes a majority of the new homes going
