WILLMAR -- A recommendation on a new office site likely will be made in February to the operations board of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission.
A subcommittee has been working for the past couple of months to identify and evaluate potential sites.
Meanwhile, the EDC has given notice to its landlord, Van Heuveln Properties, that it plans to vacate its current office when the lease expires April 1.
"We've started looking at spaces. We've looked at a number of different options," said Steve Renquist, executive director of the Economic Development Commission.
Oliver Hagen, vice president of the operations board and a member of the subcommittee researching new locations, said the move is prompted by issues with moisture, mold and mildew in the building.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Economic Development Commission rents office space in downtown Willmar on the ground floor of Heritage Square, a former movie theater that has been renovated into offices.
Besides the moisture, there have been issues as well with the EDC office's electrical wiring.
Hagen said the goal is to keep the office in or near Willmar, but it might not remain downtown if more suitable space can be found somewhere else.
Renquist warned the board that the EDC can expect to pay a considerably higher monthly lease once it moves. "There will be sticker shock," he said.
