Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

This is a sponsored ad. Click here to learn about email marketing with the Chamber.

Join the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber for networking, prize drawings, and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. The event will take place on Friday, October 31st 7:30-8:30am at AIM of West Central Minnesota (311 4th St SW, Willmar). Halloween costumes are encouraged! 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: United Way of West Central Minnesota.

Congratulations and thank you to Ryan Buer, Brayden Hedtke, and Chris St. Aubin of Ryan Buer Electric for 10 years of membership and support of your Chamber!

For 16 years, Ryan Buer Electric has been a trusted name in residential, commercial, and agricultural electrical work, earning a reputation for quality service and reliability. Ryan takes pride in serving the local community and believes strongly in the power of supporting local business — one of the many reasons he’s proud to be a member of the Chamber.

Representing the Chamber: Lindsey Peters (MinnWest Technology Campus), Jan Ruby (Little Crow Ski Team), Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), Jayme Sczublewski (New London Real Estate), Christina Williams (R&J Tours), Carla Kahle-Miller (Design West Ltd), Jon Schmidt (DATASuccess), Amy Evink (Mick Quinn - State Farm), Chamber President/CEO James Miller, and Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank).

United Community Action Partnership, along with Marcus Construction, Northstar Systembuilt, and city and county officials, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lofts on 7th on October 24. The new emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness was made possible through a $4.4 million grant from the State of Minnesota’s Emergency Shelter Facilities Capital Funding program, which supported the construction of a four-plex and an eight-plex. The event took place one year and one day after the project’s groundbreaking in 2024.

Kris Gulbrandsen marks two milestones this year—five years of retirement and five years of dedicated involvement with the Chamber. Following her retirement as Occupational Medicine Manager at Affiliated Community Medical Centers (ACMC), Kris has continues to invest her time and energy into the community. Through her involvement as a Chamber Ambassador (well beyond five years), member of the Special Events / Rock the Dock Committee, and many other community organizations, Kris exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and passion. Thank you for all you do, Kris!

We are excited to share the latest issue of The Spark! This edition features stories on Pro Color Graphics, Mainstream Boutique, and Nova-Tech Engineering — three shining examples of of local businesses that are igniting innovation in business and community!

Special thanks to the West Central Tribune for their partnership, and to our members for investing in advertising. The next edition will be published this spring. If you are interested in advertising, please contact sales@wctrib.com.

The Business Education Network and the Willmar High School welcomed Central MN Jobs & Training Services and the Jennie-O to Zero Hour on October 1st. Students had the chance to win fantastic prizes with a QR code, allowing them learn more even after their visit. What a creative and interactive idea!

Zero Hour takes place during the first hour on Wednesdays at the Willmar Senior High. It’s a designated time for students to catch up on tests or missing work. Students who are all caught up gather in the commons until classes begin which provides a great opportunity to showcase the amazing businesses in the Willmar Lakes Area.

If you’d like to engage with Willmar High School students and share what your organization offers, please contact Jennifer Lindquist, BEN Program Coordinator, at BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com to reserve your spot for upcoming openings in January and February with a few additional dates. Let’s inspire the next generation—one Zero Hour at a time!

On October 20th, the Business Education Network program presented Classroom to Career to the 8th graders at New London-Spicer Middle School. Classroom to Career allows business professionals the opportunity to speak with students about their career choices here in the Willmar Lakes Area and discuss how the decisions in high school will open future opportunities. The program is designed to show students that they are in control of their future educational goals through personal choice and educational decisions. Special thanks to to Brian Heinen with Terwisscha Construction and Karly Seely with Central MN Jobs and Training Services for taking time out of your day to present.

neXt hosted a full-house at Life-Science Innovations for the Power of Personal Branding Lunch + Learn last week. Marketing expert panelists Grace Adams and MaryElin Macht of Lakeland Media, Jayme Sczublewski of New London Real Estate, and Julia Contreras of JR Business Solutions inspired young professionals to take charge of their personal brands, grow their networks, and elevate their careers.

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined in studio by Nancy Miller and Stacey Neuhaus from Vinna Human Resources.

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 1,600 people as well as on the Chamber website, and occasionally on social media. This is a complimentary service offered exclusively to Chamber members.

• Cash Wise - Meat Clerk

• Dooley's Petroleum - Bulk Fuel & Propane Driver, Field Service Technician, Fuel Transport Driver

• Employment Plus - Electrician/Sales, HVAC Technician, Part Time Delivery Driver, Building Maintenance Tech/Carpenter, Electrical Assembler, Electrical Engineer

• Haug Implement - Ag Equipment Sales, Parts Counter Professional, Service Technician, Professional Truck Driver

• Headstart Hatching - Assistant Hatchery Manager, Hatchery Manager, Industrial Maintenance Supervisor

• Intentional Action - Fractional Executive Assistant

• Lake Region Bank - Full-Time Teller

• Mainstream Boutique - Part-Time Boutique Stylist

• Northern Radiator - Chief Financial Officer, Human Resources Manager

• Southwest West Central Service Cooperative - Physical Therapist or Physical Assistant Long-Term Substitute

• West Central Roofing - Foreman/Lead, Commercial Flat Roofing Estimator

• West Central Sanitation - Driver Trainer/Operations Supervisor, Transfer Station Yard Attendant - Payloader Operators Encouraged to Apply!

• Willmar Bus Service - School Bus Driver

Thursday, October 30 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat with KCEO

Thursday, October 30 at 3:00pm - Membership Milestone at Foxhole Brewhouse

Friday, October 31 at 7:30am - Chamber Connection at AIM of West Central MN

Monday, November 3 at 8:30am - neXt Leadership Meeting via Zoom

Monday, November 3 at 4:00pm - Ribbon Cutting for Mike Henke Inc at the Chamber

Tuesday, November 4 at 12:30pm - Membership Milestone at Janning ENT Center