economic development

Construction likely to begin this summer on apartment complex along Lakeland Drive Northeast in Willmar

March 8, 2023

Construction likely to begin this summer on apartment complex along Lakeland Drive Northeast in Willmar
A traffic study completed for the 216-unit Unique Opportunities apartment complex along Lakeland Drive Northeast in Willmar shows no roadway changes are needed to accommodate the increased traffic volume. WILLMAR — A completed traffic study for Lakeland Drive Northeast shows that the roadway is capable of handling the predicted increased traffic volumes that a proposed 216-unit apartment complex will create and no roadway changes are needed, which means the Unique Opportunities development

Kandiyohi County planning to extend broadband to three more townships

February 7, 2023

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 County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, described the two projects. Funding would come from the county’s

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

February 3, 2023

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 and residents outside of the recent Border-to-Border Broadband Development

Hemponix retail store opens Friday in Willmar

November 25, 2022

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 Ortenblad. It was one of the first hemp farms in the state, Hemponix chief executive and partner Sam Romain told the Willmar City Council

Nexyst moving forward on $40 million agricultural distribution project in Willmar Industrial Park

November 22, 2022

Nexyst moving forward on $40 million agricultural distribution project in Willmar Industrial Park
WILLMAR — Nexyst, in the next 60 days, plans to close on a $1.1 million purchase agreement for at least 137 acres in the Willmar Industrial Park to accommodate a $40 million project — constructing an agricultural distribution complex — according to Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission. “This is kind of an exciting development,” he said as he shared a site plan with Planning Commission members on Nov. 16. The project

Crews demolish former Pizza Hut building in Willmar to make way for Slim Chickens restaurant coming in 2023

November 16, 2022

Crews demolish former Pizza Hut building in Willmar to make way for Slim Chickens restaurant coming in 2023
WILLMAR — The old Pizza Hut building is being torn down to make way for a new drive-thru restaurant — Slim Chickens — set to open about mid-2023. Slim Chickens, which will be located at 1605 First St. S. in Willmar, will have seating for up to 70 people, but 60 to 65% of its business is typically drive-thru, according to owner Steve Letnes. The Willmar Planning Commission approved site plans for the new restaurant at its Oct. 5 meeting. Read the full article by the West Central Tribune.

‘Big ideas’ come from Willmar Mayor’s Housing Task Force

November 1, 2022

‘Big ideas’ come from Willmar Mayor’s Housing Task Force
WILLMAR — “Big ideas” for how to solve Willmar’s single-family housing issue were shared with the Willmar City Council during the Oct. 24 meeting. Paul Borene, the chair of the Willmar Mayor’s Housing Task Force, said the task force effort was long overdue. “This should have been done, maybe, years ago; years and years ago,” he said. The bottom line of the 10-page report is that the city of Willmar, along with support from Kandiyohi County, should create a public-private program

TDS begins broadband expansion project in New London, several other central Minnesota cities

October 24, 2022

TDS begins broadband expansion project in New London, several other central Minnesota cities
NEW LONDON—Residents and businesses in Brooten, Danube, Kerkhoven, New London, Pennock and Spicer will soon be gaining access to 1-gigabit broadband connections, thanks to a project by TDS Telecommunications. The telecommunications service provider broke ground on a fiber network expansion project this month. According to a news release, it will connect more than 3,700 properties to fiber broadband service, with the first people being able to connect by next summer. The launches will continue

Planning of southeast Willmar tiny home development moves forward with project out for bids

October 5, 2022

Planning of southeast Willmar tiny home development moves forward with project out for bids
Willmar—The developer of what is thought to be the first tiny home development in the region has the southeast Willmar project out for bids. Justin Paffrath, also a real estate agent, spoke last week to the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission to share the inspiration behind his development, as well as concept plans of how the development will be laid out. Paffrath agreed with EDC Executive Director Aaron Backman that this would likely be the first tiny home development

To plug worker shortage, Willmar hires teachers from abroad

October 5, 2022

To plug worker shortage, Willmar hires teachers from abroad
Photo from left to right: Katherine Giliz Cusa, Almera Jane Amindato, Missi May Flores and Shelamie Santillan are several of the new teachers who are starting the new school year with Willmar Public Schools after being hired through an international teaching program. This is Willmar’s first year hiring teachers abroad to help address its staffing shortage. The teachers have the opportunity to stay teaching in Minnesota for up to five years before being required to return to their home countries
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