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 »
WILLMAR — In Kandiyohi County, the Minnesota Pandemic Relief grant program has successfully assisted 66 county businesses by distributing $843,754 in state-provided funds. The county, along with the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, reviewed dozens of the applicants over the past several weeks, trying to help as many businesses as it could with the
On Tuesday, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the disbursal of $314,000 in the second round of Minnesota Pandemic Relief (MPR) grants to local establishments reeling from the last round of COVID-19 related shutdowns. “The applications are still coming in,” said Jean Spaulding, who is overseeing the MPR grant disbursement. MPR program is
County distributes $314,000, more than half of business relief Read More »
On Tuesday, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the dispersal of $265,000 in the first round of Minneapolis Pandemic Relief (MOR) grants to local establishments reeling from the last round of COVID-19 related shutdowns. “We develop the program with that in mind so that they would get the first priority and work downwards”
County doles out COVID relief Read More »
Kandiyohi County continues to move toward its goal of border-to-border high speed internet access with dial-up speed. On Tuesday, Connie Schmoll, Business Development Manager of the Kandiyohi County & City of Willmar Economic Development Commission (EDC), gave a presentation before the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners – which included newly-elected commissioners Steve Gardner and Duane
County continues to push for border-to-border high speed Internet Read More »
WILLMAR—Kandiyohi County, along with the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, are again coming to the aid of businesses who have suffered over the last several months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The two parties have created what they are calling the Minnesota Pandemic Relief Grant Program, using funds from the state’s
Another opportunity for relief available to Kandiyohi County businesses and nonprofits Read More »
Following the latest round of “dial-back” restrictions to businesses across the state, Governor Tim Walz Wednesday signed off on a bipartisan relief package that will provide $216.5 million in state aid, as well as a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits. The bill easily passed House and Senate, which voted 117-13 and 62-4, respectively, during the
Dial-back restrictions updated/County to receive $830,000 in state aid Read More »
Now that spending has expired for the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, county officials have assembled an extensive document detailing how they spent their $5.3 million CARES allocation to submit to state and federal officials for auditing purposes. “The intention was really to put [the information] into a snapshot
County breaks down how it spent $5.3M in CARES funds Read More »
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 »
WILLMAR—The lack of a robust government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has often manifested itself in piecemeal restrictions coupled with partial financial help, has left restaurant owners with an uncertain feeling of what the future holds. Gov. Tim Walz this week ordered a four-week restriction, starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, on multiple
Restaurants face uncertain times with recent COVID-19 restrictions 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—When Kandiyohi County and the city of Willmar began planning how to spend the stimulus funds each received from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, both the County Board and City Council were clear where they thought the most relief was needed—small businesses and nonprofits negatively impacted by the pandemic and related
