November 4th | 2022

In a continued effort to lower the amount of chloride being discharged into the Redwood River, the city is offering free water softener optimizations as part of the Water Softener Optimization and Rebate Program funded through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Businesses and facilities with softeners 15 years or older or inefficient softeners are eligible for replacement rebates up to $4,000. An efficient and optimized (adjusted to correct settings and lower salt dose) water softener will use less salt and save you money in reduced salt use. Residential participants are seeing an average of a 91% reduction in their monthly salt use and costs for purchasing salt.

For more information or to sign up, contact a city-approved water softening contractor to inspect your softener. The contractor will determine if the water softener can be optimized to reduce salt use or if it is eligible for replacement. The contractor will ask for water use records for the most recent year. This is needed to calculate efficiency and determine rebate amount. If the water softener can be optimized, have the contractor complete the adjustment! If it is eligible for replacement, you may have that contractor complete the installation or get additional bids from the approved contractor list. More information and approved contractors can be found at http://ci.marshall.mn.us/rebate.  If your softener is replaced, receiving your rebate is as simple as filling out the application on the website and submitting the required documents.

This program is also available to residents, with rebates of up to $700! The City of Marshall encourages your participation in this program. Help the city meet MPCA wastewater permit discharge requirements, save money, and protect the Redwood River.

Article courtesy of Star Tribune

The holidays are a special time of year, but with higher prices for most everyday items, many people are trying to find ways to spread holiday cheer more cheaply this season.

Retail analysts say that consumers are stretching out their holiday shopping and hunting for deals to counter inflation. Shoppers are being helped by the over-ordering of some retailers earlier this year, a misstep that led them to cut prices early to move bloated inventory.

"Consumers should expect big discounts as retailers continue to work through inventory and try to differentiate themselves amongst all the inflationary pressures on discretionary spending," said Chris Walton, co-founder of the Third Haus retail lab in Minneapolis and a retail trade blog called Omni Talk.

Here's a rundown on how you can get the most for your money this holiday season: