Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

Join the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber and neXt for networking, prize drawings, and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. The event will take place at the Robbins Island Four Season Shelter (336 6th St SW, Willmar). Don't forget to bring your business card for a chance at door prizes. $1 will be collected from each attendee to benefit our Nonprofit of the Month: Alzheimer's Association.

Congratulations and thank you to Reading Therapy Center for 20 years of continuous support and involvement with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber!

Reading Therapy Center is a diagnostic educational center offering one-on-one, intensive therapy in reading, writing, comprehension, language, and math for individuals ages six and up. RTC focuses on the root causes of learning challenges to create life-changing results. Many clients travel up to two hours daily, reflecting the impact and effectiveness of the therapies provided.

Representing Reading Therapy students and staff: Ashton, Angelina Trask, Greyson, Mindy Hinrichs, Kaitlyn Swanson, Elsa Dehmlow, Angie Zimmer, Loudena, Beckham, Kaily, Angie Merten, Mira, and Christy Groen.

Representing the Chamber: Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Chamber President James Miller, Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Terri Wood (Woody's Trucking Inc.), Jon Schmidt (DATASuccess, Inc), Jan Ruby (Little Crow Water Ski Team), and Jeff Martinka (United Prairie).

Congratulations to Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Steffanie Smith of Serene Willow Psychiatry on her First Dollar!

Steffanie provides compassionate, individualized mental health care through psychiatric evaluations, medication management, therapy, and follow-up support. She specializes in working with children (ages four and older), adolescents, and young adults, with a focus on ADHD, trauma, autism, depression, anxiety, sleep issues, psychosis, and mood disorders. Appointments are available in person or via telehealth.

Representing the Chamber Ambassadors: Renee Nolting (West Central Industries), Chamber President James Miller, Ken Quist (Quist Wealth Management), Julie Anderson (Nesbit Agencies/Kensington Insurance), Dave Feist (TPI Hospitality), Alana Ziehl (Kandiyohi County Food Shelf), Dawn Lippert (Mainstream Boutique), and Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology).

Southwest Initiative Foundation is bringing the Rural Voice town hall series to Foxhole Brewhouse on September 8, and you’re invited! This free event will dive into how immigration has shaped rural communities, featuring real stories and lived experiences.

Moderated by Kerri Miller, co-founder of Rural Voice and Minnesota Public Radio host, the evening kicks off at 5 p.m. with appetizers, followed by a town hall discussion from 6 to 7:30 p.m.—which will be recorded for Minnesota Public Radio. Stick around afterward for a casual reception.

The Rural Voice series, which has visited more than a dozen of rural communities in Minnesota since 2022, is supported by the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, as well as the Minnesota Initiative Foundations.

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined in studio by Ashley Snell, Vice President of Development for Alzheimer's Association Minnesota - North Dakota.

Hiring? Make sure to log in to ChamberMaster to post your positions on the Chamber Job Board. Job postings are shared in the weekly e-newsletter that reaches over 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website, and occasionally on social media. This is a complimentary service offered exclusively to Chamber members.

• Citizens Alliance Bank - Teller/Personal Banker, VP/Ag Commercial Loan Officer, Loan Officer, Assistant Insurance Customer Service Representative, Business Banking Assistant, Lending Administrative Assistant, Core Application Specialist

• Employment Plus - Lube Technician, Billing Administrator, Logistics Clerk, Outdoor Forklift Operator

• Haug Implement - Ag Equipment Sales, Diesel Technician, Cleaning and Customer Service Assistant, Parts Counter Professional

• North Risk Partners - Personal Lines Associate Account Manager

• Northern Radiator - Willmar Warehouse Associate

• Nova-Tech Engineering - Assembly Technician

• Southwest West Central Service Cooperative - Special Education Paraprofessional

• West Central Sanitation - Diesel Mechanic - All Experience Levels, Cart/Container Delivery - CDL Trainee, Customer Service Representative

Thursday, September 4 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat with Willmar Indoor Golf

Thursday, September 4 at 10:45am - Milestone at Life-Science Innovations

Thursday, September 4 at 11:15am - Milestone at Nova-Tech Engineering LLC

Thursday, September 4 at 3:00pm - Leadership Perspectives at Conference Center

Friday, September 4 at 7:30am - Connection at Robbins Island Four Season Shelter

Friday, September 4 at 12:00pm - Public Policy at Heritage Bank

Tuesday, September 9 at 7:30am - GrowMN! Meeting at the Chamber