Public Policy Forums in October

Innovative Impact Award from the Willmar Area Community Foundation

Commitment to Community

Ken Warner has spent the better part of 40 years working for businesses and the people in his community. Lucky for us, 32 of those years have been here in Kandiyohi County. “My family made Willmar home not once but twice. It’s been wonderful to us,” notes Ken.

Most folks know Ken as the president of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber but they do not realize how many community building efforts he has been part of: The creation of the Willmar Area Community Foundation, the Economic Development Commission (formerly the KCEDPI), Vision 2020 and 2040, and (his personal favorite) the Destination Playground to name just a few. Ken shares, “I have been fortunate to have great boards, volunteers and staff to be able to help support the community. We need everyone to help row the boat. I look forward to whatever is next!”

In 2005 Willmar received the All-American City designation, which recognizes communities using inclusive civic engagement to address critical issues and create stronger connections among its residents, businesses, and nonprofit and government leaders. Willmar’s presentation centered on successes in overcoming local diversity challenges. Ken regularly receives calls from around the nation as communities start to see diversity and when they look for role model sites, Willmar comes up. Ken shares how Willmar has succeeded when so many others struggle. “The secret sauce is the people,” says Ken. “We have a ‘Can-do’ attitude. We have our challenges, but those challenges are really opportunities in disguise. People are not afraid to get involved. We invite everyone to pitch in and make our community the best it can be!”

Innovative Impact: recognizes an individual, couple/family, organization, group or professional advisor that is innovatively engaging the broader community as volunteers, creatively encouraging charitable giving and using those resources to meet unmet needs for Kandiyohi County residents.

WACF has been pleased to honor:

2018 Celebrate the Light of the World

2017 Willmar Area Women’s Fund

Also Congratulate Ken on 33 YEARS with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce!!!

October is Manufacturing Month

We would like to say thank you to all of our manufacturing members! Happy Manufacturing Month! We appreciate you. #MNManufacturingMonth

Welcome new members!

Pictured with General Manager Godon Einck are; from the left: Senator Andrew Lang, (CVB Executive Director) Beth Fischer, Ken Quist (Quist Wealth Management), Jim Rudnick (CDS), Spicer Mayor- Denny Baker, Lisa Groff (Lake Region Bank), Michelle Marotzke (Mid-Minnesota Dev Comm), Dawn Lippert (United Prairie Bank), Dave Feist (TPI Hospitality), Doug Kuehnast (United Prairie Bank), Kelly Schley, Arica Clancy, Jacob Kolander (City of Spicer), Sara DeRoo (Christianson PLLP), Mary Hagen (West Central Technology), Justin Paffrath (Paffrath & Sons Jewelry), Lilly Martinez (Marketing at SureStay Hotel)

Lunch with Leaders

Chamber Connection - October 14th

Join us Friday morning at 7:30am at Engan Associates 311 4th St., SW, Willmar, Don't forget to bring $1 and your business card for a chance at door prizes!

Chamber Community Job Board

Are you hiring? Don't forget to login to ChamberMaster to post your openings on the Chamber Job Board! Job postings will be shared weekly in the e-newsletter that reaches over 1,500 people. Please contact the Chamber if you have any questions at chamber@willmarareachamber.com or (320) 235-0300.