WILLMAR—City officials and business leaders from Greater Minnesota communities gathered November 16-17 at Willmar Conference Center for its annual fall conference.
The conference kicked off with welcome remarks from St. Joseph Mayor and CGMC President Rick Schultz, Willmar Mayor Doug Reese, and CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson, followed by a lunch presentation from Department of Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart. Commissioner Marquart led an engaging discussion on the recent LGA increase
WILLMAR—A man who grew up in Willmar has acquired three Burger King restaurants, including Willmar’s Burger King on First Street South.
Mike Knoop, the owner and operator of Crown King Properties LLC, previously worked at a Willmar location in 1992 as an assistant manager, according to a news release announcing his acquisition of BK restaurants in Willmar and Hutchinson, as well as Hillsboro, North Dakota.
Knoop has operated five restaurants in his time as a franchise owner beginning in
WILLMAR—Housing has long been a priority for the Kandiyohi County Board and at the April 4 meeting the commissioners took a step toward helping to respond to that need.
In a unanimous vote the board approved the ordinance forming a housing trust fund, which can be used to help fund local housing projects.
“The board is wanting to get some movement in this direction,” said Commissioner Corky Berg. “I think it is a start, but it is a great start.”
The process to create
ATWATER—As the tape seal was peeled off the door of the egg incubator, the soft “cheep, cheeps” from dozens, if not hundreds, of newly-hatched chicks started to rise in volume, indicating another successful hatching at Dahline Poultry. These chicks would soon find themselves being shipped across the country, following thousands before them.
“Right now we are shipping anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 a week,” said Hunter Dahline, the 18-year-old owner and founder of Dahline
WILLMAR—With one success under their belt, it might not be a total surprise that the owners of the first USDA-inspected mobile poultry processing facility in the country would also be behind the first halal-certified goat and sheep slaughter facility in the state of Minnesota.
“The closest halal plant is Chicago,” said Greg Wierschke, and there is a growing unmet need in and around Minnesota for a slaughter facility that can process goat
Greg and Becky Wierschke, founders and owners
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
WILLMAR—During the state of the city address at Tuesday’s Willmar City Council meeting, Mayor Doug Reese touted the recent accomplishments of the city under former Mayor Marv Calvin, the City Council and city staff. He also set his agenda for the upcoming year.
“Tonight’s a night to reflect on our progress and look forward to the future of Willmar,” Reese said. “And, first of all I would like to thank the citizens of Willmar for their overwhelming support in the election. I count it
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
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
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
