Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission

Willmar City Council to consider approval of sale of park land for senior housing

February 17, 2024

Willmar City Council to consider approval of sale of park land for senior housing
WILLMAR — The Willmar City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 20, will consider the approval of a purchase agreement with Cura for the sale of park land for a senior housing development. The meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services. The Council will also consider the introduction of an ordinance authorizing the land sale and set a public hearing for the ordinance to take place at its Monday, March 18 Council meeting. The proposed location of the

Housing shortage continues to be a problem in Kandiyohi County

February 2, 2024

Housing shortage continues to be a problem in Kandiyohi County
Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar EDC, received a housing report Jan. 11 and shared some of his thoughts about it at a meeting that day. A December 2023 housing report showed the city of Willmar had only 23 single-family homes for sale — in a city of 21,000 people. Lack of housing can hinder the recruitment of the workforce needed to fill job openings, according to Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic

Expansion of Elevate entrepreneurship course in Kandiyohi County supported by $200,000 grant

January 3, 2024

Expansion of Elevate entrepreneurship course in Kandiyohi County supported by $200,000 grant
The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission received a grant for more than $200,000 from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. —————————————————————- WILLMAR — The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission received a grant of more than $200,000 to put toward expansion of the Elevate Community

Coalition of Greater MN Cities holds fall conference in Willmar

November 28, 2023

Coalition of Greater MN Cities holds fall conference in Willmar
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 listed as a 2022 top micropolitan community by Site Selection magazine

April 3, 2023

Willmar listed as a 2022 top micropolitan community by Site Selection magazine
Willmar was one of two Minnesota cities to be included on the listing. The city will also be featured in an upcoming edition of Business View magazine focused on American Economic Resiliency. WILLMAR — The city of Willmar has been listed in the March 2023 edition of Site Selection magazine as one of the top 2022 micropolitan communities in the United States, according to Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Executive Director Aaron Backman. “(The

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

April 3, 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

Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce announces Community Leadership Award recipients

March 8, 2023

Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce announces Community Leadership Award recipients
Recipients will be recognized at the Chamber Community Leadership Celebration breakfast at 7 a.m. Friday, March 31, at the Sibley Auditorium on the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar. WILLMAR — Three Kandiyohi County leaders will be recognized for contributions to their communities at the end of the month. The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its Community Leadership Award recipients — Hallie Johnson of CentraCare — Rice Memorial Hospital, Aaron Backman of the Kandiyohi

Housing study shows need for various types of properties across Kandiyohi County

February 28, 2023

Housing study shows need for various types of properties across Kandiyohi County
A housing study created for the county and city Economic Development Commission showed a need for nearly 1,000 housing units to be constructed across Kandiyohi County by 2030. WILLMAR — The 2023 Housing Market Analysis for Kandiyohi County identified a significant need for additional housing options across the county. While 48% of the county’s population lives within Willmar, the surrounding rural areas and 11 cities are home to thousands of people and they all need places to live. Read

A new housing report predicts the need for an additional 1,580 housing units in Willmar by 2030

February 28, 2023

A new housing report predicts the need for an additional 1,580 housing units in Willmar by 2030
It is predicted that seniors will see the most population growth and make up a large portion of the additional housing needed in Willmar and Kandiyohi County by 2030. WILLMAR — There is an estimated demand for an additional 1,580 housing units in the city of Willmar between 2022 and 2030, according to an updated housing report completed by Viewpoint Consulting . Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, presented the report

Willmar mayor gives state of the city address

February 25, 2023

Willmar mayor gives state of the city address
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
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