Welcome to
IMPACT
2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS BUSINESS, INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY
16 HEALTH CARE 26 AGRICULTURE 38 EDUCATION
K
andiyohi County is an amazing place to live, work and play. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful with its many lakes, streams, serene countryside and quaint towns, but it is home to many innovative, cutting-edge businesses, industries and services. Within the county’s 862 square miles one can find organizations that are leaders in the areas of manufacturing, health care, education, arts and agriculture. The local unemployment rate is consistently below the national average, our health care system is on the cutting edge and has a regional draw, and our focus on arts, entertainment, shopping and food/ drink establishments are a draw for visitors and residents alike. This publication tells you about some of the important sectors that are a driving force in our Lakes Area economy and way of life here in Kandiyohi County. Individually, these entities are strong, but together, they create an “impact” that affects lives far beyond Kandiyohi County. PAGE 4 IMPACT
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FOOD & SHOPPING TOURISM
56
LIVING IN KANDIYOHI COUNTY
70
STAFF WRITERS / PHOTOGRAPHY CAROLYN LANGE
SHELBY LINDRUD
LINDA VANDERWERF
BRIAN EDWARDS
ANNE POLTA
GRETCHEN BROWN
TOM CHERVENY
BRIANA SANCHEZ
DAN BURDETT
SHARON BOMSTAD
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AARON BACKMAN
WES NELSON
SAM BOWEN
JANET OLNEY
JEFF HOLM
JENNIFER MENDOZA
PAUL CARLSON
BETH FISCHER
MICHAEL SCHRAMM
LINDA HARRIS
MICHELLE HAEFNER
KEN WARNER
A PUBLICATION OF WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE 2208 W. TROTT AVE, WILLMAR MN | WWW.WCTRIB.COM
OCTOBER 2016 PUBLISHER: STEVE AMMERMANN
MAGAZINE EDITOR: SHARON BOMSTAD
EDITOR: KELLY BOLDAN
AD DIRECTOR: KEVIN SMITH