Be wary of popular rankings. Our state is not reaching its economic potential, and policymakers deserve an honest assessment of our strengths and weaknesses. By Doug Loon Our state’s economy matters to each of us, from families grappling with increasing costs to businesses trying to attract workers and grow. While a robust, diverse economy likeRead more
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Last week’s Downtown Thursday event was a treat – an evening featuring live music, delicious food, and a variety of engaging activities. Starting off the event was Atari the Band, whose energetic performance had the crowd dancing and singing along to classic hits from the 80’s. Following Atari, the local favorite Fender Bender took theRead more
OWATONNA, Minn., May 21, 2024 – At its May 21 meeting, the City Council approved an agreement with ICS consultants to develop a scope of work for two projects: 1) constructing a Community Center in Owatonna 2) updating public safety facilities. The agreement also includes supporting staff in providing community engagement opportunities that will helpRead more
As the Farmer’s Market season kicked off, Downtown Owatonna also celebrated its first Cinco de Mayo event on May 4th, offering a day of lively music, delicious food, and traditional piñatas that delighted attendees of all ages. The initial rainy weather gave way to sunshine, drawing a larger crowd and creating a festive atmosphere. LupeRead more
We’ve all heard the term ‘death by a thousand cuts’. A way of explaining how things went wrong and how it was never just one thing that got us to this point in time. The housing challenges facing the upper Midwest seem to be feeling all the cuts. At a recent growth breakfast hosted byRead more
When Matt and Deb Gillard made the decision to open their real estate office, they aligned with RE/MAX – a global real estate leader founded in 1972. They purchased their RE/MAX franchise and opened their doors in October of 2016. They gave careful consideration as to how they would operate their brokerage – developing theirRead more
As city department heads and council members complete their budget study sessions this week, it leads to approval of a preliminary levy for 2024 on Tuesday, September 19th. The proposal is a 9% levy increase. This is on a projected tax base growth of approximately 7%. Some key drivers of the proposal include normal staff wageRead more
Letter Sent to Owatonna City Council and Steele County Commissioners From: Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Board of Directors, Public Policy Committee RE: Budget Season As you prepare your 2024 budgets, we’d like to share some feedback from businesses on what they’re facing looking forward. It’s not all negative! We believe it’s importantRead more
Have you ever been stuck between multiple options and simply unable to make a decision? Of course, you have — you’re a human being. While the human brain is the most complex computing system known to man, people are still prone to finding big life decisions difficult. Nobody likes being paralyzed by a decision, yetRead more
New Restaurant Open at Brooktree Golf Course OWATONNA, July 24, 2023 – The City of Owatonna Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department is announcing a new restaurant is open and ready to serve customers at Brooktree Golf Course. Lacey’s at Brooktree opened over the weekend bringing a fresh menu and high quality of service to golfersRead more
