Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

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 16th 7:30-8:30am at Engan Associates (311 4th St SW, Willmar). $1 will be collected from each attendee to benefit our Nonprofit of the Month: Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA. Click here to view the Connection Calendar.

We are exploring opportunities to host a Workplace Wellness Summit to connect local employers with resources, organizations, and practical strategies that support employee health and well-being.



Your feedback will help us shape the summit around the interests and needs of our local business community. Whether your organization has an established wellness program or is just getting started, we want to hear from you!

Congratulations to Kelsey Ruter and her team at Shear nV Salon on their First Dollar with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber Ambassadors!

Located at 1210 Lakeland Drive SE in Willmar, Shear nV is a full-service salon offering hair, nail, and massage services. With an experienced, talented team and a passion for what they do, Shear nV offers a fun, welcoming space where clients can relax, refresh, and feel their best.

Representing the Chamber: President/CEO James Miller, Junior Ambassador Myles Kuehnast, Doug Kuehnast, Amanda Erickson (Lake Region Bank), Dawn Lippert (Mainstream Boutique), Keri Ohren (CentraCare), Lindsey Fischer (Christianson CPAs and Consultants), Julie Anderson (North American Insurance Agency/ Nesbit Agencies), and Kris Gulbrandsen.

Congratulations to the recent graduates of the Willmar Lakes Area Dale Carnegie Confident Communication & Relationships course: Mel Schroeder (Nova-Tech), Allison Deal and Christel Roelofs (Kandiyohi County Community Corrections), Sara Chapin (Willmar Electric), Muzzamil Wani (Jennie-O), Ellary Lang (JD Kreps Financial Group), Jami Tanner (Willmar Lakes Area Chamber, Nathan Davis (JD Kreps), Eric Shaw (Nova-Tech), and Luis Fuentes (JD Kreps).

Over three weeks, participants strengthened their communication skills, developed meaningful connections, and built confidence in their ability to lead and work with others. Their growth reflects a willingness to learn, practice new skills, and step outside their comfort zones. Thank you to the local leaders and organizations who made this experience possible by investing in their teams’ professional development!

Interested in bringing these skills to your team? Another session is anticipated for late January or February 2027. Companies interested in reserving seats are encouraged to contact Jennifer at Jennifer.Libertyclark@dalecarnegie.com for additional information.

Congratulations to Samuel Valdez, owner of Willmar Window Cleaning LLC on his First Dollar with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber Ambassadors!

Willmar Window Cleaning provides professional residential and commercial window cleaning, screen repair, gutter cleaning, pressure and soft washing, solar panel cleaning, trash bin cleaning, hard water stain removal, leaf removal, and snow removal. Give Sam a call for quality service, sparkling results, and brighter spaces! 

Representing the Chamber: Renee Nolting (West Central Industries), Doug Kuehnast, President/CEO James Miller, Ken Quist (Quist Wealth Management), Jeff Newberg (Duininck), Jean Geselius (CDS), Dawn Lippert (Mainstream Boutique), Julie Anderson (North American Insurance Agency/ Nesbit Agencies), Jim Rudnick (CDS), and Kim Richardson (Cornerstone Insurance).

A comprehensive effort to modernize the City’s zoning regulations and align them with the vision established in the WITH Willmar Comprehensive Plan began on February 12, 2026.

A zoning code update is a full review and rewrite of the rules that guide how land can be used and developed within the city. Willmar’s current zoning code was adopted in 1994, and since then, development patterns, community needs, and best practices in planning have evolved significantly.

Updating the zoning code will:

• Support high-quality, well-planned development

• Encourage housing options that meet community needs

• Strengthen local business and economic development opportunities

• Improve clarity and usability for residents, developers, and staff

• Ensure regulations reflect Willmar’s long-term vision for growth

Willmar Planning & Development would love to share what the Zoning Code is, an overview of how the Zoning Code is changing and how it will affect the City of Willmar. 

For more details or assistance, email planning@willmarmn.gov or call 320-235-4913.

The Kandiyohi County Breastfeeding Coalition is inviting businesses to participate in the Anytime, Anywhere Breastfeeding Initiative. The goal is to ensure breastfeeding families feel welcome and supported in public spaces. Businesses are encouraged to sign the Breastfeeding Welcome Here pledge, which is a simple commitment to providing a respectful and inclusive environment for breastfeeding parents.

Over the past month, BEN and the Willmar High School welcomed the following businesses to the Willmar Senior High: CLUES, Haug Implement, Healthy Fusion, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Ridgewater College, US Bank, and Woodland Centers.Students had the opportunity to learn about these businesses while engaging in fun games to earn free swag!

What is Zero Hour?



Zero Hour takes place during the first hour every Wednesday at Willmar Senior High. It is a dedicated time for students to make up tests or complete missing work. Students who are caught up gather in the commons until classes begin at 9:00 AM. This open time also provides a valuable opportunity to highlight the outstanding businesses and organizations that serve the Willmar Lakes Area.

If your business would like a chance to engage with the student population during Zero Hour, please email the BEN coordinator to sign up today: BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined by Gregg and Cathy Helin - owners of Northern Services Inc.



Chamber Chats are a complimentary membership benefit. If you are interested in being a guest, contact James at jmiller@willmarareachamber.com.

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 1,700 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 - Deli Clerk, Part-Time Meat Clerk, Part-Time Pharmacy Clerk

CDS - Senior Accountant - Willmar or Benson

CentraCare - Surgical Technician | RWF, Paramedic, Licensed Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist

Citizen's Alliance Bank - Teller/Personal Banker, VP Commercial Loan Officer, VP - Ag Loan Officer, Loan Officer, Loan Administration Clerk, Cash Management Specialist, Insurance Agent

ESS - Substitute Teacher, Substitute SpEd Paraprofessional, Food and Nutrition Service

Goodwill Easter-Seals - General Manager, Assistant Store Manager

Haug Implement - Precision Ag Specialist, Equipment Detailer, Assistant Service Manager

Heritage Bank - Teller

Jennie-O - Plant Production Worker

Nova-Tech Engineering - CNC Machinist

Water's Edge Ministries - Director of Development

West Central Technology - Procurement Admin, Account Specialist

Tuesday, October 13 at 11:30am - Marketing Meet-Up at the Chamber

Thursday, October 15 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat with Serene Willow Psychiatry

Thursday, October 15 at 11:00am - First Dollar at EQ Pottery

Thursday, October 15 at 12:00pm - Ambassador Meeting at the Chamber

Friday, October 16 at 7:30am - Chamber Connection at Engan Associates

Monday, October 19 at 11:00am - Milestone at TrueJourney

Monday, October 19 at 11:30am - Milestone at Hanson Fonkert Dental Clinic

Monday, October 19 at 12:00pm - Diplomats Meeting at the Chamber