Clara City approves natural gas franchise for Dooley's; company to develop system also serving large area south and west of Willmar

CLARA CITY -- City council members in Clara City unanimously approved a franchise agreement that will bring natural gas service to the community by the end of the year.

Council members met in a special meeting Friday afternoon to approve the franchise for Dooley's Petroleum of Murdock, according to Wendy Block, city administrator.

The franchise agreement with Dooley's opens the way for the company to develop a distribution system that will also serve the communities of Raymond, Maynard, Prinsburg, Roseland, Svea, Blomkest and a large rural area along U.S. Highway 71 south of Willmar.

The system should be installed and fully charged by Oct. 1, according to Randy Dooley, company president. It represents an estimated $8.5 million to $10 million investment.

The company intends to break ground April 1. It will connect to a Northern Natural Gas line north of Renville.