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—The Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission on Nov. 13 approved continuing a $760,000 agreement with DGR Engineering to create additional generation capacity in Willmar with the installation of four more diesel generators and also took action to invest in additional transmission projects.
The separate actions were each recommended by the Municipal Utilities’ planning committee.
Generation
According to the minutes from the Oct. 30 planning committee meeting, the Municipal Utilities
WILLMAR—A man who grew up in Willmar has acquired three Burger King restaurants, including Willmar’s Burger King on First Street South.
Mike Knoop, the owner and operator of Crown King Properties LLC, previously worked at a Willmar location in 1992 as an assistant manager, according to a news release announcing his acquisition of BK restaurants in Willmar and Hutchinson, as well as Hillsboro, North Dakota.
Knoop has operated five restaurants in his time as a franchise owner beginning in
Willmar — Downtown Willmar has even more flavor these days.
Agg Thaw, who more often goes by “Pen,” noticed the rising popularity of bubble tea — and the lack of a tea shop in Willmar — when she was making plans last year to open her own business.
Read the full story at the West Central Tribune
The Willmar City Council on Monday approved an updated memorandum of understanding with the Minnesota Army National Guard for a potential trade of 80 acres in the Willmar Industrial Park for the Guard facilities on North Business 71.
WILLMAR — The Willmar City Council on Monday approved an updated memorandum of understanding with the Minnesota Army National Guard for a potential swap of Guard facilities on North Business 71 for city-owned land in the Willmar Industrial
WILLMAR — Homelessness and poverty can look different in rural areas.
It is less about people sleeping on the streets or in tent camps, and more about sleeping in cars or with multiple families in one small residence, always with the threat of eviction hanging over their heads.
Read the full story at the West Central Tribune
WILLMAR—With one success under their belt, it might not be a total surprise that the owners of the first USDA-inspected mobile poultry processing facility in the country would also be behind the first halal-certified goat and sheep slaughter facility in the state of Minnesota.
“The closest halal plant is Chicago,” said Greg Wierschke, and there is a growing unmet need in and around Minnesota for a slaughter facility that can process goat
Greg and Becky Wierschke, founders and owners
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
WILLMAR — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Feb. 1 announced the city of Willmar was awarded a $200,000 grant through Safe Streets and Roads for All , which will allow the city to complete a citywide Safety Action Plan to address safety, accessibility and equity concerns throughout the city’s transportation system.
Willmar received one of 12 grants awarded to communities in Minnesota, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation. There were 510 grant awards
WILLMAR — Hemponix will open a new hemp retail store and ecommerce/warehouse site Friday at 1425 First St. S. in Willmar, according to Hemponix Facebook page.
Hemponix is a hemp farm located in rural New London that transitioned from an aeroponic lettuce-growing operation to a hemp-growing operation in 2018, according to Hemponix founder and master grower Kevin Ortenblad.
It was one of the first hemp farms in the state, Hemponix chief executive and partner Sam Romain told the Willmar City Council
