economic development

Why so many Twin Cities immigrant organizations are branching out to Greater Minnesota

In 1998, when John Keller joined the St. Paul-based Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) as an immigration attorney, he would often drive to Worthington, where hundreds of low-income immigrants and refugees depended on the organization’s free legal services. “We would do workshops, answer a bunch of questions, do in-takes and represent whoever we could […]

Why so many Twin Cities immigrant organizations are branching out to Greater Minnesota Read More »

Reel-Lux is looking forward to bringing a luxury movie experience to Willmar

News

WILLMAR—Reel-Lux Cinemas, once it reopens and renovates the Kandi Mall movie theater, will offer movie goers a luxury theater experience while keeping prices at their current levels. “We will not raise them,” said Reel-Lux Chief Information Officer Joseph Morelli told the West Central Tribune Wednesday. Reel-Lux Cinemas, a new venture in the growing luxury movie

Reel-Lux is looking forward to bringing a luxury movie experience to Willmar Read More »

Aeroponics farm near New London will produce leafy greens year-round

News

NEW LONDON—What had been a large, empty pole barn on a farm in rural New London last year is now becoming a climate-controlled maze of computer-operated, high-powered lights and a water misting system housed on a dozen massive stainless steel frames. By early spring, the building will be filled with lush, fresh lettuce and other

Aeroponics farm near New London will produce leafy greens year-round Read More »

Shopping center fills old Willmar furniture store

News

WILLMAR—The vision Sahra Gure and Abdirizak “Zack” Mahboub had for a former furniture store is taking shape as the newly opened Midtown Plaza in downtown Willmar. The first two businesses have moved into the building at 313 Litchfield Ave. S.W. Several others have signed leases and are preparing to move. The developer of the small

Shopping center fills old Willmar furniture store Read More »

Creating a Model Citizen: New London brewery expansion includes farm-to-table restaurant

News

NEW LONDON—There’s more than just beer brewing at the Goat Ridge Brewing Co. in New London. After 2½ years in business—and following an expansion last year—Goat Ridge is adding another 1,600 square feet onto the business. The addition will create space for an expanded taproom, a bigger brewhouse and a bigger dance floor for their

Creating a Model Citizen: New London brewery expansion includes farm-to-table restaurant Read More »

Magnum grows as economy does

News

WILLMAR—Over the past several years Fargo, North Dakota-based Magnum, which has had a trucking terminal in Willmar for 15 years, has seen a steady uptick in its local business. As the economy has improved, the number of companies needing shipping assistance has grown. Magnum’s business has increased so much that its building needed to grow

Magnum grows as economy does Read More »

Willmar council begins discussion on new city hall

News

WILLMAR—One of the major projects in the 2018 capital budget for the city of Willmar is a new city hall to replace the current building on Sixth Street Southwest. The 2018 capital plan has $8.5 million for a new city hall, though no actual money has been set aside. There has been discussion about bonding

Willmar council begins discussion on new city hall Read More »

Bonding committee hears ‘the ask’: Willmar area officials request funds for roads, college maintenance projects

News

WILLMAR—With millions of state bonding money on the line when the Legislature reconvenes next month, local officials made the case Monday that several area projects should be funded. Members of the Senate Capital Investment Committee began a 12-day tour of the state Monday to hear pitches for projects seeking state funding. During an hour-long stop

Bonding committee hears ‘the ask’: Willmar area officials request funds for roads, college maintenance projects Read More »

Diversity in Willmar, MN- Photo Credit: Star Tribune

Highlighting Diversity in Kandiyohi County

News

Willmar is a diverse community with a large Latino and Somali/East African population that is increasingly represented in the business world. Members of these communities own and operate approximately 12% of businesses in Willmar, as evidenced by a recent Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Survey of diverse businesses undertaken by the EDC. Last fall, the

Highlighting Diversity in Kandiyohi County Read More »

15th Street Affordable Flats Approved by MN Housing Finance Agency

News

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

15th Street Affordable Flats Approved by MN Housing Finance Agency Read More »

West Central Steel’s growth continues: Latest expansion to house parts production

News

WILLMAR—West Central Steel of Willmar is expanding for the ninth time in its nearly 40-year history, bringing more services to its customers and more jobs to the region. “It has been quite a project,” said Jeff Pattison, president of West Central Steel. The latest project has been in planning for several years, but officially kicked

West Central Steel’s growth continues: Latest expansion to house parts production Read More »

First Street TIF district approved by Willmar City Council

News

WILLMAR—The Willmar City Council on Monday night approved a new redevelopment tax increment financing district along First Street South that will assist a developer in completing a retail construction project on vacant land on one of Willmar’s main thoroughfares. This was after lengthy discussion at several meetings, along with tabling the decision at the Oct.

First Street TIF district approved by Willmar City Council Read More »

Connect With Us!