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Staff Writer
Gary W. Meyer
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Steve Westerberg
It may have seemed 2015 was a quiet year around Big Lake - but it wasn’t.
Plenty of construction took place - several new businesses built or opened new doors - and nearly $17 million in economic value was added to the city.
Most notable for its impact was the opening of the region’s first brewery- Lupulin Brewing - which has proven very popular and has hosted many events, from its location on the south side of Hwy 10.
SSI Digital Print Services took over the former Shadetree building not far away from Lupulin.
The Third Rail Bar and Grill opened on Main Street.
And Kwik Trip, the new convenience store, has applied for permits and will begin construction at its site on Eagle Lake Road at Hwy. 10.
All told, the commerical developments are expected to add 83 jobs and $5.1 million in property valuation.
In the township, on West Hwy. 10, Crop Production Services is in the midst of a major expansion of its fertilizer storage facilities, with a new building, expected to be completed this spring.
Two major multi-family housing projects will add 67 living units and $5.5 million in valuation. They include Northern Star Apts. and Town Square Luxury Apts.
Progressive Builders, with nine homes, and Fedder Homes, with seven, lead the list of single family home builders in 2015. All homes amount to 38, with a $6.293 million valuation.
At The School
Big Lake Schools welcomed its new superintendent, Steve Westerberg of Iowa, to his new position in July.
He arrived just in time to help the district make its run at passage of a major school excess levy referendum, approving an additional $475 per pupil in operations - teacher hirings and curriculum expansions.
Voters also approved a major improvement in technology spending, $400,000 a year.
Both referendums will have a lifetime of 10 years.
New City Faces
The city welcomed two new department heads to its staff in 2015.
Clay Wilfahrts was hired as city administrator in the spring.
And in November, Hanna Klimmek was hired on as community development director, where she will coordinate commercial development, housing programs and varied city projects.
Community Highlights
With the participation of persons from around the community, the city launced its Beyond the Yellow Ribbon City program in 2015. They will become very visible in 2016 as they coordinate the planning and construction of Big Lake’s new veterans memorial, planned near City Hall (See separate sotry in this issue.)
A new trail along Co. Rd. 5 north to River Oaks Park will be constructed in 2016, courtesy of a grant of $372,000 from MnDOT through their transportation alternatives program.
Another successful Farmers Market was held at Lakeside Park this year. Dozens of vendors displayed at the market. It will be held again in 2016.
Music in the Park, sponsored by the Big Lake Legacy Foundation, had another successful run in its third year at Lakeside Park, with live music for the family Thursday nights from June through August. It again will be held in 2016. The Legacy folk were also responsible for holiday concerts at BLHS.
The BLPD moved its operations to their new home at 790 Minnesota Avenue, across from Independence School this fall. They are located adjacent to the Big Lake Library.
Big Lakers finished second in 2015 - but first in 2015 - to claim Anheuser Busch’ $50,000 Celebrate Your Lake Grant to improve shoreland, fund water quality studies, invasive species control and public education in the coming year.
Meanwhile, the city and Big Lake Community Improvement Association are continuing to stock walleye into Big and Lake Mitchell.
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