Sarah Swedburg, the business development manager for the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, was recognized Thursday night as Emerging Young Professional of the Year by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota for her achievements in economic and community development in Kandiyohi County. Read the full story at the WC Tribune
In response [to] the sudden closure of bars, restaurants and other places of public accommodation by Gov. Tim Walz, who was responding to a steep rise of COVID-19 infections across the state, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners will be allocating what COVID-19 relief funding it has remaining to subsidize the financial blow dealt to
County provides funding for local businesses forced into closure Read More »
The Coronavirus Relief Program [sic], which provided grant funding—and for some, a lifeline—for hundreds of area businesses and nonprofits hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, has come to a close. When everything is finalized at the end of the year, Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission (EDC) Director Aaron Backman
EDC tallies $3.3M in local business relief grants Read More »
WILLMAR—Nearly half of respondents to a broadband survey taken in Dovre, Mamre and St. Johns townships in Kandiyohi County said they would be willing to spend on average $61.47 a month for high-speed broadband service. “There is a demand for high-speed broadband and people are willing to pay,” said Connie Schmoll, business development manager with
Survey shows high-speed broadband still a priority in Kandiyohi County Read More »
WILLMAR—If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a four-minute video should say quite a lot. That is what the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission is hoping as it releases a new video that focuses on the quality of life within the county. “We wanted something fun,” said Connie Schmoll,
Kandiyohi County is the star of a new video produced by EDC Read More »
WILLMAR—While it is not exactly the dark ages in downtown Willmar, home to many successful businesses and low vacancy rates, there is also plenty of opportunity for development, whether it is upgrading an older building or constructing a project from the ground up. The area is already part of Willmar’s only Opportunity Zone, which provides
City planning for a revival of downtown Willmar with a proposed Renaissance Zone Read More »
WILLMAR—For a few days last week a large crane towered over state Highway 40, near County State Aid Highway 55, as a new box culvert was installed at the Hawk Creek crossing. The installation is part of the Willmar Wye Rail Connector and Industrial Access project. Despite the rains, the Hoffman Team, the contractor for
Wet weather slows weekly Willmar Wye progress Read More »
After meeting with representatives of nonprofit senior living organization Bethesda, of Willmar, the City of New London passed a resolution Wednesday evening calling for a public hearing to establish a TIF (tax increment financing) District. This TIF District would allow Bethesda to construct a $16 million senior and assisted living facility in New London near
Bethesda proposes $16 million facility in New London Read More »
WILLMAR—The master agreement among the Willmar Wye project partners is nearing completion and MnDOT has sent the three shortlisted design and build firms requests for proposal to lead the multi-million dollar project through its years-long construction schedule. Paul Rasmussen, project manager for the Minnesota Department of Transportation District 8, said it is just the final
Willmar Wye agreement nears finish line Read More »
WILLMAR—Even though funding has been secured to complete the final two legs of the Highway 23 four-lane between Willmar and Interstate 94, the coalition of regional businesses and government entities that fought to obtain that funding has no intention of going away. On the contrary, organizers say it’s hoped the 91-member coalition will expand to
Highway 23 Coalition seeks broader focus Read More »
WILLMAR—A resolution of support from the Willmar City Council will be added to the tax credit application being submitted to the state by the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership. The group hopes to construct a 72-unit multi-family housing project on the north side of Willmar, near the MinnWest Technology Campus. The council passed the resolution at
Council supports new workforce housing project in Willmar Read More »
WILLMAR—With the approval Tuesday night of a tax increment financing district, the 15th Street Flats apartment project in Willmar has cleared one of its last hurdles and is now on schedule to begin construction in June. “The city and the EDC have been working with Commonwealth Development for approximately a year to bring this project
Willmar housing project clears a final hurdle Read More »
