The West Central Tribune reports on  Willmar Mayor Doug Reese delivered his State of the City address at Tuesday’s Willmar City Council meeting…

Reese also acknowledged the Connect Willmar Initiative, noting that the Willmar Industrial Park has long been a focus for growth in the city.

After receiving three proposals to extend fiber-optic broadband services to the industrial park, a broadband committee was formed to provide guidance and has spent two years researching and developing a planned open-access network throughout the city.

“The system will provide the fiber backbone for private companies to deliver fast and more reliable broadband service to residences and businesses,” Reese said. “If approved, this project will be the first of its kind in Minnesota. ”

After launching a new logo in February of 2024, one of the city’s goals this year is to amplify messaging on social media to engage, communicate and promote Willmar, for which staff took an eight-day social media training session, Reese said.