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They
abound for local angel investors in the life sciences
West
Central Tribune by Anne Polta
June
12, 2010
WILLMAR—A
California company has developed a patented stem-cell technology
for treating arthritis in dogs and horses, using stem cells
derived from the animal’s own fat tissue. Now Vet-Stem
Inc. is looking to open a new laboratory and start marketing
itself directly to American pet owners. “We just need
money and gas in the tank,” Dr. Robert Harman, the company’s
chief executive, explained Friday to a local group at the
MinnWest Technology Campus. Investing in biotechnology companies
such as Vet-Stem, especially in the early stages, and helping
them become successful and profitable is one of the roles
an angel network could play in Kandiyohi County. The opportunities
for so-called angel investors were explored during a morning-long
meeting Friday at the technology campus, hosted by the Kandiyohi
County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission.
The EDC has been trying for several months to help form an
angel network of local private investors. County economic
development officials see an angel investors’ group
as a critical source of seed money for new and emerging companies
in the life sciences industry. The initial goal is to invest
$500,000 to $1 million in angel funds to selected companies
within the network’s first year. To sweeten the deal,
the state of Minnesota also is now offering tax credits to
angel investors for qualified technology businesses. About
40 people attended Friday’s meeting, which was held
to gauge local interest in an angel network and to show potential
investors the possibilities in biotechnology development.
Vet-Stem, for instance, is poised to break into the lucrative
multibillion-dollar market for companion animal care. The
young company owns a portfolio of stem-cell patents and has
amassed a track record of treating more than 6,000 dogs and
horses with stem-cell therapy for arthritis. To venture capitalist
Steve Burrill, it’s innovations in the life sciences
that hold some of the greatest promise for future growth of
the global economy. Burrill’s international company,
with more than $900 million in venture capital funds under
management, is one of the world’s largest. All of the
greatest challenges facing the world — food production,
energy security, health care, climate change — have
biotechnology development as part of their solution, Burrill
told the audience that was gathered Friday in the life sciences
center at the technology campus. It’s a time of extraordinary
change, he said. “There’s this whole world of
new technology and new players coming in and transforming
the world around us.” Those who adapt will be the most
likely to survive and thrive, Burrill said. “Our job
is to be responsive to those changes.” Because not every
new piece of science can, or should, be translated into an
enterprise, the challenge for angel investors is the ability
to sort out the most worthwhile ideas, he said. At his own
firm, which is in the process of building a $100 million Midwest
capital fund, “99 times out of 100 we say no”
to requests for venture capital, he said. Burrill said Minnesota’s
capacity for early seed money and capital is under built,
suggesting there’s room for expansion. Rural angel investors
also need to step outside regional boundaries and think globally,
he said. “The question is, are you networked? Geography
becomes less important.”
EDC
looks to attract angel investors for biotech plans for the
county
West
Central Tribune by Anne Polta
June
11, 2010
WILLMAR—Local
economic development officials are hoping for a critical boost
today to their efforts to launch an angel investors network
in Kandiyohi County. The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar
Economic Development Commission is hosting a meeting this
morning at the MinnWest Technology Campus to explain the concept
and present information on the emerging possibilities in the
biotechnology industry. Among the guest speakers is Steve
Burrill, president and chief executive of Burrill and Co.
and a leading venture capitalist in the U.S. life sciences
industry. About 45 people are expected to attend the invitation-only
event, said Jean Spaulding, assistant director of the Economic
Development Commission. “We really see our role as bringing
people to the table,” she said. The EDC has been working
for the past several months to develop a local network of
private investors who could be tapped to help fund the early
development of promising new businesses, especially in the
biotech field. Steve Renquist, executive director of the EDC,
said it would be one more tool that could be offered to support
start-up businesses, as well as increase Kandiyohi County’s
competitiveness in the market. “I think there will be
an angel investment group happening out of Kandiyohi County,”
he said. “We’ll try and keep it in front of people
because it really needs to happen.” An angel investor
tax credit, approved by the Minnesota Legislature during its
recently concluded session, may help make the prospect of
high-tech investing more appealing. Details about the tax
credit will be presented by one of the speakers at today’s
meeting at the technology campus. Burrill, the main speaker,
will be discussing venture capital opportunities in biotechnology.
His global company focuses on venture capital, merchant banking
and a life sciences media group. Burrill is a writer and leading
international spokesman for the life sciences and biotechnology
industries. He serves on numerous boards, including the Foundation
for the National Medals of Science and Technology, the California
Healthcare Institute and the Genetics Policy Institute, and
is an adviser on the MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation.
Family
farm to family practice, Dr. Wehseler named MAFP physician
of year
Lakes
Area Review by Dori Moudry
April
26, 2010
Family
physician at ACMC-New London for 12 years, Dr. Richard Wehseler
estimates he has delivered between 500 and 600 babies, about
half while he was training to become a doctor.
"At
the Academy meeting last week, there were doctors who had
delivered between 3,000 and 4,000 babies," he said during
an April 21 interview.
Wehseler
received the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP)
2010 Family Physician of the Year award at the MAFP All-Member
Celebration April 15 at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel
in downtown St. Paul. Click
here to read the full article.
EDC
sees development opportunities with new angel investor tax
West
Central Tribune by Anne Polta
April
13, 2010
WILLMAR—Not
long ago, the chance to bring in a new business slipped through
the fingers of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic
Development Commission.
The
reason? The county didn't have any "angel"
investors—private individuals with the wherewithal to
bankroll a promising start-up business that doesn't qualify
for more convenient financing. Click
here to read the full article.
Peterson
optimistic about economic development
West
Central Tribune by David Little
April
21, 2009
Bruce
Peterson says he and his staff will in the city's Department
of Planning and Development Services do not buy into a doom
and gloom philosophy regarding the current economic downturn.
Peterson says many good things are happening.
"There's
a lot of local employment that remains strong. We're
seeing a strong local economy. Builders are building
and we're seeing interest by contractors and developers in
new projects," says Peterson, director of planning and
development services.
"Willmar
and Kandiyohi County have always survived. We will survive
and we'll emerge from this economic situation stronger than
we were before," he said.
Peterson's
remarks prefaced his recent report to the Willmar City Council
on local economic and community development activities overseen
by his department in 2008.
Total
construction valuation last year exceeded $70 million—the
largest figure in the city's history—due mainly to the
construction permit for the new wastewater treatment plant
project.
The
department issued 780 building permits, the most during the
past 10 years. Commercial and industrial values at $60,879,956
were up over 2007 numbers and the highest during the 10-year
period.
However,
residential construction at 24 units, of which 19 were single-family
residences, was the lowest during the past 10 years and declined
20 percent in 2008 compared with 27 total units in 2007.
The decline mainly affected new construction.
"It's
still not bad given the national averages that are compiled
and reported to us from McGraw Hill Construction Surveys,"
Peterson said. "Our additions and alterations permits
remained high at 326 though even this was a decrease of 25
percent from 2007."
He
said the housing market is feeling the effects of the economy,
job losses and foreclosures. A significant number of
residential lots are available for construction, but many
are platted for twin-home construction and are not suitable
for single-family housing. But demand is good for affordable
and moderately priced homes, he said.
Westwind
Estates Third Addition, a housing project for low and moderate
income residents, was approved in 2008 and will consist of
28 units. Construction is slated to begin this spring.
Peterson
said maintenance issues continue to be addressed in the residential
neighborhoods. He said the city will need to take a
harder line, which could include orders for removal or demolition.
Significant
2008 projects were the wastewater treatment project, Rice
Memorial Hospital data center, Vinje Lutheran Church addition,
new Walgreens and Slumberland buildings, Central MN Fabrication
expansion, MinnWest Technology Campus projects, Kandi Mall
remodeling, Pan-O-Gold distribution center and the Donnerite
Trucking expansion.
Peterson
said updating continued on the comprehensive land use plan.
The Planning Commission invested significant time in reviewing
the document. He said preparation of a final draft is
nearing completion. The process has taken longer than
anticipated because a deliberate process is required to ensure
the needs of the community are met, Peterson explained.
Also,
he said Mid-Minnesota Development Commission, which the city
engaged to package the plan, has encountered some delays by
their staff in providing assistance anticipated by the city.
He hopes the plan will be completed soon for required public
review and adoption.
"Even
though the process has been lengthy, the plan should prove
to be a functional guide for future city growth and development
for years to come," he said.
Peterson
said the MinnWest Technology Campus continues to be a bright
spot in the local economy. At the end of 2008, the campus
had at least 17 companies with over 280 employees. He
said the city, the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic
Development Commission and MinnWest continue to market the
campus.
In
2008, the city received a $1 million state grant to create
the MidCentral Bio-Sciences Center at the campus.
"We're
excited about the bio-sciences center. It's a great
opportunity for University of Minnesota staff and graduate
students to partner with local businesses to bring bio-technology
and bio-science to the marketplace," said Peterson.
"It has the potential to establish Willmar as a major
bio-technology hub in the upper Midwest."
Peterson
said employment in Willmar and Kandiyohi County remained positive
in 2008 and major layoffs have been avoided. Many businesses
are weathering the economic slowdown by maintaining—
and in some cases—adding employees.
In
Willmar's role as a regional center, it's expected to pick
up the employment and economic "slack" for a large
geographic area, he said.
United
Way of Kandiyohi County expands, changes name
The
Raymond-Prinsburg News
February
4, 2009
In
order to better reflect the area served by United Way of Kandiyohi
County, the Board of Directors has changed the group's name
to United Way of West Central Minnesota.
In
addition to the name change, United Way of West Central Minnesota
will continue to service Kandiyohi County and expand its territory
to include Belgrade, Benson, Bird Island, Brooten, Clara City,
Cosmos, Danube, DeGraff, Elrosa, Gluek, Grove City, Lake Henry,
Litchfield, Maynard, Olivia, Renville, Rosendale, Swift Falls
and Terrace. All of these new communities are not currently
affiliated with a United Way.
United
Way began to research and study information about its geographical
service area two years ago. This information indicated
that partner agencies are serving an area greater than Kandiyohi
County.
In
addition, many United Way volunteers and donors drive across
county lines for employment. "The name change to
United Way of West Central Minnesota better reflects the reality
of the area that is positively affected by this organization,"
said Nathan Streed, president of the Board of Directors.
Stacey
Roberts, executive director of the United Way of West Central
Minnesota commented that, "We look forward to partnering
with an extended area to help all of our communities create
positive lasting change. United Way of West Central
Minnesota invites our current and new communities to give,
advocate and volunteer where we live and work. United
Way's mission is to mobilize the caring power of our area.
We understand that when we reach out a hand to one we influence
the condition of all."
United
Way of West Central Minnesota works to provide funding for
nonprofit organizations and agencies, operates United Way
programs, and brings together community leaders to tackle
key issues.
Beginning
this spring, United Way of West Central Minnesota will be
offering the following programs to Kandiyohi County and our
expanded areas:
Imagination Library: free
monthly book program for children ages birth to five.
2-1-1: easy
to u se free phone number for information on health and human
service needs.
Gift in Kind: warehouse that distributes
donated home merchandise to individuals and families in need.
Volunteer Center: matches volunteers
with opportunities that fit their schedule and interests.
For
more information about United Way of West Central Minnesota
or the programs listed, contact Gina Lieser, Resource Development
Director at 320-235-1050 or email gina@liveunitedwcm.org
or visit the United
Way's website.
2008
Bioenergy Days Conference held in area
The
EDC and MinnWest Technology Campus successfully host day tours
for The International 2008 Bioenergy Days conference and its
Swedish attendees. Read
the Star Tribune article.
U
to operate new center in Willmar, Minn.
mndaily.com
By James Anderson
Published 10/20/2008
The University of Minnesota will operate a new $2.5 million
biotechnology research and business development center at
the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar, Minn.
Plans for the Mid-Central Biosciences Center were announced
Monday by the University and its partners on the project,
MinnWest Technology Campus, the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities system and the city of Willmar.
The $2.5 million will cover the development and renovation
of the center as well as laboratory and research equipment.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
provided a $1.25 million grant which was matched by funds
from MinnWest.
The renovation is set to begin immediately and is expected
to be completed by next fall.
St. Cloud State University will be the lead for the MNSCU,
but other schools like Ridgewater College , which is located
in Willmar, will also be involved.
Bruce Jacobson , the director for bioscience outreach at St.
Cloud State University, has been in contact with MinnWest
Technology Campus for two years.
Jacobson said he realized there was an overlap in missions
between St. Cloud State and the campus. He said MinnWest’s
goal is to provide high-tech jobs to people in Willmar, and
St. Cloud State’s goal was to educate and prepare people
for these high-tech jobs.
Jacobson said the University will handle the discovery aspect
of the research, while St. Cloud State will focus on the applied
aspect.
Tim Miller, the project coordinator contracted by MinnWest,
said this is the first time the campus has worked with a university
on a project.
He said the focus of the collaboration is to take products
and ideas from concepts to commercialization. He said in the
current biotechnology landscape it has been difficult to keep
jobs in state.
“One of the problems that’s happening right now
in the bio-business, especially in the state of Minnesota,
is there just aren’t the facilities or the capabilities
to keep the business in-state,” Miller said.
He said one of the goals of this research center is to be
able to keep biotechnology jobs in state and to attract new
or existing companies to MinnWest.
Miller said the research center will provide internship opportunities
for students, which could lead to full-time jobs.
Kathy Yaeger , a University spokeswoman, said the University’s
expertise in areas relating to the poultry industry is the
reason the University was chosen to operate the center.
“The University is one of the very few universities
in the country that does research in veterinary medicine,
agriculture, biology, biotechnology, bio-business, all of
which are combined in this area,” Yaeger said.
The University will be charged with operating the facility
once it opens, but when companies come to the campus to use
the resources, they will compensate the University. Compensation
details are not yet known.
CNN
to air piece about MACCRAY four day week
The
Raymond-Prinsburg News
Published
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
"Sometime
later this week" is the date for the airing of the CNN
piece on MACCRAY's four day school week.
Reporter
and producer of the piece Poppy Harlow notified Supt. Greg
Schmidt Monday that CNN would be running her story, but she
did not have a solid date or time.
Harlow
and her crew filmed at the high school last Monday, where
they interviewed Schmidt. They also visited the Matt
Rosen home and talked with him and his daughter, Natalie.
The Rick and Katy Mersbergen family was also featured in the
two minutes, 18 second piece.
If
you miss it on television, you can see and hear the piece
on the internet at CNNMoney.com and click on "Cutting
class: A school story."
No
date has been given for the ABC piece that was filmed earlier.
'It's
just almost unheard of'
Willmar
equipment dealer celebrates 90 years in business
By David Little, West Central Tribune
Published Tuesday, August 19, 2008
WILLMAR—Butch Haug never had a doubt about the longevity
of the farm equipment dealership started in 1918 by his grandfather,
Gunder Haug.
"I
always have felt that this was what I have always wanted to
do," says Haug, CEO of Haug Implement Co. of Willmar.
"Those are the kind of things that you've got to like
what you do. And if you don't like what you do, you
better find a different job." Click
here to read the entire story.
National
quality award goes to GlenOaks
Lakes
Area Review
Published
Monday, August 11, 2008
NEW
LONDON—GlenOaks in New London is one of 312 long-term
care facilities across the nation that has earned the American
Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted
Living's (AHCA/NCAL) Quality Award for demonstrating a strong
commitment to continuous quality improvement.
"The
AHCA/NCAL Quality Award—comprised of three levels, a
Step I Award; a more rigorous Step II Award; and a comprehensive
Step III Award—is the most prestigious recognition of
quality within the long term care profession," Bruce
Yarwood, AHCA/NCAL president and CEO, said. "GlenOaks'
Step I award shows their dedicated front-line caregivers,
administrators, nurses and physicians are demonstrating their
commitment to quality of care and meeting the needs of our
most vulnerable population."
GlenOaks
Senior Living Campus Administrator Paul Gaebe said, "Credit
for this award goes to everyone at GlenOaks, Lake Region Home
Health and our medical professionals who truly put their hearts
into providing and excellent quality of life to everyone we
serve. The genuine warmth and compassion present on
this campus is a quality of which everyone can be proud."
As
a Step I recipient, GlenOaks demonstrated its organization-wide
commitment to a customer-focused facility mission, defined
its principal customers and their expectations, and indicated
ways that it is striving to meet their needs.
"The
Quality Award program is an independently judged, criteria-based
award program relying extensively on approximately 100 trained
volunteer examiners," Bernie Dana, chair of the Quality
Award Board of Overseers, said. "This quality award
program continues to be a valuable framework and tool for
facilities that are developing a systems-based perspective
to achieve performance excellence."
AHCA/NCAL's
Quality Award is modeled after the criteria of the Malcom
Baldrige National Quality Award. AHCA/NCAL's award is
designed to support continuous quality improvement efforts
in long term care by promoting quality awareness and education.
GlenOaks
will be honored for its achievement and presented with its
award during the AHCA/NCAL's 59th annual convention and exposition,
Oct. 5-8, 2008 in Nashville.
Rice
Hospice presented with Circle of Life Citation of Honor
Sunfish
Gazette
Published
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
WILLMAR—Rice
Hospice, part of Rice Memorial Hospital, iso ne of nine organizations
honored this year by the Circle of Life Award Program.
Rice Hospice was named a 2008 Circle of Life Award® honoree
July 21 in recognition of its innovative program which improves
the care of patients near the end of life or with life threatening
conditions.
The
Circle of Life Award celebrates programs across the nation
that have made great strides in palliative and end-of-life
care.
Rice
Hospice brings care to the patient's home using a successful
outreach program based on partnerships with area communities
and their critical access hospitals. They've been providing
hospice services throughout the region—which encompasses
14 counties—for more than 25 years. They've brought
comfort to more than 6,000 patients through a dedicated staff
and network of more than 600 volunteers.
In
addition, Rice Hospice offers bereavement services to patients'
families. They have satellite offices in Appleton, Benson,
Dawson, Granite Falls, Montevideo, Ortonville/Graceville and
Paynesville.
Mary
Beth Potter, Director of Hospice, accepted the award on behalf
of Rice Hospice along with Lawrence Massa, Rice Hospital CEO,
Les Erickson, retired Director of Hospice, Evy Hatjistilianos,
Volunteer Coordinator, and Brenda Wiese, Grief Center Coordinator.
"This
honor confirms for the patients we serve that they are receiving
the highest level of hospice care available in their own community,"
said Potter. "Care provided by Rice Hospice allows
patients to retain their personal physicians and be hospitalized
in their home community if needed. Comprehensive bereavement
support is available as well in each community through the
services of Rice Grief Center."
A selection
committee made up of leaders from medicine, nursing, social
work and health administration chose Rice Hospice for the
Citation of Honor. The committee focused on innovative
programs that respect patient goals and preferences, provide
comprehensive care, acknowledge and address the family or
caregivers' concerns and needs and build systems and mechanisms
of support to continue the program for future patients and
caregivers.
This
is the ninth year for the Circle of Life Award. For
more information on the Circle of Life Award visit www.aha.org/circleoflife.
Ski
team takes first at regions
Lakes Area Review
Published Monday, August 4, 2008
NEW LONDON—The Little Crow Water Ski Team from New London
returned from the 2008 Midwest Regional Show Ski Tournament
in Waterloo, Iowa with the championship trophy.
Little
Crow scored 1,636 points to capture first place. The
second place award went to the Midwest Ski Otters from White
Bear Lake with 1,508 points, and third place went to Five
Seasons from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with 1,446 points.
A total
of ten teams competed in the tournament. Little Crow
has won first place 15 out of the 16 Midwest/MN Tournaments.
The
Little Crow Ski Team performed the tournament show to the
theme of "LCST State Fair" and started the performance
with four barefoot pyramids, which earned two awards.
The
show also included ballet, pyramids, doubles, trios, swivel,
many barefoot and jump acts and two around-the-boat acts.
Announcers for the 2008 show are Lee Gauer and Dean Hanson
as "Mick and Mike." Greg Hedman is this year's
show director.
In
addition to the championship team trophy, the Little Crow
Ski Team earned several top awards, including best barefoot
act and the highest individual act with the opening barefoot
pyramids. Little Crow also took the best dock and equipment
award.
Little
Crow also had individual members competing in swivel, doubles
and jump competition. In swivel competition, Joquel
Molenaar earned first place. In doubles competition,
Greg Hedman and Stacy Boesch also placed first. In team
jump, Little Crow captured first place.
The
Little Crow Ski Team placed fifth at this year's nationals.
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