HUTCHINSON—More than two decades of helping entrepreneurs get started in southwest Minnesota has taught Scott Marquardt many lessons, but perhaps none so important as these. This place grows them, and they like it here. How else to explain the Douglass brothers, Carl, Brian and Sean, and their commitment to Douglass Innovations in northern Kandiyohi County? […]
WILLMAR—The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar’s Economic Development Commission began training the second Elevate class of entrepreneurs and local business owners Sept. 16. The 12-week Elevate course offers hands-on training in business planning and management while providing business education and coaching specifically tailored to underserved minority entrepreneurs in the county. The EDC partnered with
Elevate program founded to support diverse businesses, entrepreneurs Read More »
WILLMAR—There has been a local, state and national push to expand broadband access into underserved or unserved areas, especially since the pandemic has shown how instrumental it is to have reliable high-speed internet. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, in a visit to Willmar on Friday, joined a roundtable discussion about broadband to hear and learn about how
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith visits Willmar to talk broadband Read More »
WILLMAR—If you are looking for a job or new career challenge, join EDC staff tomorrow, October 13, 2021 from 12-5 p.m. for the West Central Minnesota Area Job Fair. The EDC and 53 employers will be at Ridgewater College for this job fair. Bring your resume and dress for success! Masks required on campus.
EDC co-sponsors West Central Minnesota Area Job Fair Read More »
NEW LONDON—The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners continues to approve grants to broadband expansion projects, using the county’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation. At Tuesday’s board meeting, the commissioners approved funding up to $185,828 to help pay for broadband upgrades in three neighborhoods located in New London Township and a small piece of Burbank Township. “The (Kandiyohi County and City of
PRINSBURG—As has been the common theme over the past 18 months, residents in Prinsburg have grown to learn just how important high-speed internet can be. And like so many communities, the city has found what the local providers have to offer isn’t enough. “They are just not able to meet our needs,” said Roger Ahrenholz,
High-speed broadband on its way to Prinsburg, with help from Kandiyohi County Read More »
WILLMAR—The number of apartment units continues to increase in Willmar as multi-family housing developments are constructed and opened. Aaron Backman, director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, updated the commission’s joint operations board Sept. 9 about projects at various levels of development. Block 25 Flats, to be constructed in downtown
WILLMAR—The pieces are starting to come together for the large logistics facility to be constructed on the west end of Willmar, in the Willmar Industrial Park. The Willmar Planning Commission at Wednesday’s meeting recommended the approval of the project’s plan, and also approved the vacation of several easements in the property the developer is purchasing from the
Plan for logistics project in Willmar gets green light from Planning Commission Read More »
WILLMAR—The 24/7/365 small package sorting and distribution facility proposed to be built on 32 acres in the Willmar Industrial Park is looking more and more certain as the Willmar City Council began the land sale process and approved the purchase agreement at its Monday meeting. “This really represents the kickoff of the actions you will
Willmar Industrial Park land sale for new logistics facility continues toward approval Read More »
WILLMAR—The possible construction of a massive development project in the Willmar Industrial Park moved closer to fruition on Wednesday, with the Willmar Planning Commission recommending the city sell more than 30 acres of land to RDC National Inc. RDC National is working on behalf of an end user—not yet identified publicly—to construct an over $25 million logistics facility in
Land sale for major logistics project in Willmar moves to City Council Read More »
WILLMAR—While the COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of challenges, it has also made a few opportunities. One of those is the sudden rise in funding available for broadband projects, thanks to the American Rescue Plan. The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners has already decided to focus most of the county’s share of the federal funding
On the hunt for more broadband funding Read More »
WILLMAR—Understanding the ag market after COVID-19 will be a topic for discussion during the third annual Partners in Ag Innovation seminar July 29 in Willmar. The theme for the event, which is scheduled from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday July 29, is “From Survive to Thrive.” The half-day seminar will be offered in a
