WILLMAR—Moving forward with two of the largest Invest in the Willmar Local Option Sales Tax projects, the city of Willmar held its groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, June 30, at the Willmar Civic Center. “When you have events like this, you really need to sit back and reflect on the people that made it happen,” Willmar Mayor Marv Calvin said. The […]
Breaking ground on Willmar’s future Read More »
WILLMAR—Lumber One Development Company will soon be the new owner of half of Block 25 in downtown Willmar. The Willmar City Council on Monday approved selling four city-owned parcels on the west side of the block for $1 per parcel. The developer plans to construct an apartment complex on the block, bringing much needed housing to the
Willmar sells downtown Block 25 parking lot Read More »
WILLMAR — The value of four Willmar-owned lots in downtown was debated Wednesday night by members of the Willmar Planning Commission. The question was whether the lots located on Block 25, currently being used as a public parking lot, were more valuable to the city as a parking lot or as the future home of a new
WILLMAR—While specifics were slim, Aaron Backman, Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission executive director, gave some intriguing hints Thursday about possible major economic development projects that could be headed to Willmar. The biggest is a large distribution center project for an undisclosed end user. Back in 2018-2019, a logistics company came close to building
Major Developments/Distribution center, housing projects possible in Willmar Read More »
WILLMAR—The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission has found its next business development manager and didn’t have to look far to find her. Current Willmar City Planner Sarah Swedburg has accepted the position and plans to start around May 6. She is replacing Connie Schmoll, who is retiring at the end of May. Schmoll
WILLMAR—While specifics were slim, Aaron Backman, Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission executive director, gave some intriguing hints Thursday about possible major economic development projects that could be headed to Willmar. The biggest is a large distribution center project for an undisclosed end user. Back in 2018-2019, a logistics company came close to building
WILLMAR—Expanding high-speed broadband to all corners of Kandiyohi County has been a dream and challenge for many for more than two decades. “This is an ongoing issue. It is a task we are constantly struggling to fix,” said Kandiyohi County Administrator Larry Kleindl, during a work session of the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners. The
County gets up to speed on broadband Read More »
NEW LONDON—The Mill Pond Mercantile building in downtown New London has new owners. The Goose Group, which currently owns three businesses in Perham, will be opening Lucky Duck in New London. Featuring a unique line of toys, games, puzzles and old-fashioned treats, the retail store is tentatively scheduled to open in mid-May. “Our goal is
Mill Pond Mercantile building in New London gets new owner, new purpose and new name Read More »
WILLMAR—The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission has had a front row seat to the challenges and hardship the coronavirus pandemic has brought to businesses and non-profits across the county. And since late March 2020 the EDC has also been in the driver’s seat of several financial relief programs, helping those businesses hang on.
Local EDC aid helps businesses Read More »
WILLMAR—When downtown and a portion of the U.S. Highway 12 commercial corridor were chosen as Willmar’s lone federal Opportunity Zone, David Ramstad and his staff at city Planning and Development definitely saw an opportunity. While the Opportunity Zone as a tool is geared more toward developers with deep pockets and capital gains, Ramstad wanted Willmar’s zone to become
Renaissance Zone could bring about a rebirth of downtown Willmar Read More »
The City of Willmar is interested in creating the conditions for a strong and vibrant downtown area. To that end on May 4, 2020 the Willmar City Council adopted the Renaissance Zone, which is a new zoning overlay district encompassing the Central Business District and adjacent areas. The new Willmar Renaissance Zone is a 5-year
Willmar creates a Renaissance Zone Read More »
WILLMAR—When you add up all the money that has so far been awarded to small businesses and nonprofits through coronavirus relief programs run by the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, the total is more than $2 million. Since March the EDC has established a handful of grant or loan programs focused
