NEWS & EVENTS | CONTACT KANDIYOHI COUNTY | LINKS | AREA MAPS | SEARCH
 


 
ABOUT THE EDC

The mission of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission is to be a catalyst for the economic growth of the greater Kandiyohi County area.

 

Economic Development Boards and Committees

Learn more about what is happening at the EDC by reading about the activities of our boards and committees.

Boards                                   Committees


2010-2011 Goals

  1. Short-term Project:  Encourage government efficiency
    a.  Host/convene a meeting with units of government to challenge efficiency with            perspectives from school districts that merged.
    b.  Timing to maximize window of opportunity (January 2010)
  2. Business, Retention and Expansion/Recruitment
    a.  Becker Avenue project
          (1) Hold a community meeting on the Becker Avenue final redesign and obtain                consultant's final report
          (2)  Assist Willmar Design Center with obtaining a consultant to do a pedestrian               study (estimated cost $500); Dougherty will contact consultant 1/15/09 to ask                   about recommended time and cost
    b.  Industrial development
         (1) Get local sites listed on the Minnesota Shovel Ready Certification Program
    c.  Airport development
         (1) Attempt to assist city [of Willmar] to release federal hold on land
    d.  Local business outreach/marketing (How can the EDC help?)
         (1) Letter to business community with acknowledgement of difficulties and offer to             help
    e.  Networking—acquiring leads
         (1) Include in above letter (e1)
    f .  Approach city of Willmar to implement Revolving Loan Fund from MIF
  3. Collaborate/Support Healthcare
    a.  Orthopaedic Surgery contract with Rice Memorial Hospital
          (1) Work with new administrator and ask him what the EDC can do to help
          (2) Explore financial options (speak with Dale Husted)
          (3) What does Alexandria have to offer?
  4. Willmar Airport/Aviation
    a.  Complete tours of other airports
    b.  Do an analysis of what is learned from the tours
    c.  Creation of a marketing plan
    d.  Verify if there is an active Willmar Airport Commission—yes, there is
  5. MinnWest Technology Campus/Biosciences Recruitment
    a.  Reinforce with the University of Minnesota that we remain interested in pursuing            the turkey research facility
    b.  Develop a recruitment list of profiled businesses
    c.  Assist with marketing plan to attract profile businesses
    d.  Assist with recruitment
  6. Renewable Energy/Value-Added Agriculture
    a.  Becker Avenue project
    b.  Biosciences
    c.  Pursue ÄFAB
    d.  Satellite facility
          (1) Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center
          (2) IREE (Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment)
    e.  Promote small wind, including new technologies and policies
    f.  Geothermal
  7. Develop a 5-Year Plan
  8. Accurate Census
    a.  Determine cause of 2000 short count
    b.  Determine timeline, process and contact person
    c.  Create marketing campaign on the importance of being counted
          (1) business community
          (2) minority community
          (3) quantify impact of accurate numbers
          (4) possibly market importance of accurate count to the public
    d.  Determine if federal funds are available
  9. Veterans Home Facility
    a.  Prepare aggressive plan with incentives for presentation to Legislature
    b.  Make a presentation to Willmar City Council, Kandiyohi County Commissioners             and Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce with benefits and costs analysis

Plain and simple, we will work with you to make your business a success in Kandiyohi County. To receive information or assistance from our Economic Development staff, please send us an email with your request details. We will respond to you within 2 business days.

 

Economic Development Staff

Steve Renquist
Economic Development Director
steve@kandiyohi.com

Jean Spaulding

Assistant Director

jean@kandiyohi.com

 

Cathy Keuseman

Agribusiness & Renewable Energy Specialist

cathy@kandiyohi.com

 

 

Mailing Address, Phone Numbers and E-mail Address

Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission

Centre Place, Suite 100
333 Litchfield Avenue SW
P.O. Box 1783
Willmar MN 56201

Tel: (320) 235-7370

Toll Free:  888-815-7370
Fax: (320) 231-2320

Please send general information requests to: edc@kandiyohi.com

 

 

 
   
 



Copyright 2004 Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission

Visit Kandiyohi | Stay for a Lifetime | Build a Business | Contact Information | Home