To development in Wells. 

It has been an exciting couple of weeks in Wells with two major announcements. 

A little over a week ago, Wisconsin-based Brakebush Brothers Inc. purchased the Wells Food Processing plant. The processing plant had been a co-packer for Brakebush prior to the sale.

With the purchase, the company plans to add a second production shift in Wells by the middle of July with an additional 25 jobs.

It is exciting to see the plant bring growth to the city.

The second positive thing that happened in Wells this week was the groundbreaking for a new business park north of town.

This park is coming to fruition after Wells earlier this year received a $550,000 grant from Minnesota’s Transportation Economic Development program. Ron’s Heating and Plumbing in Wells has expressed interest in building at the site, along with a few other retail businesses.

We wish Wells officials the best of luck in this endeavor.

To a dog park in Albert Lea. 

We are pleased the Albert Lea City Council last
Monday approved Brookside Park as the location for the city’s first dog park. 

The 1 1/2-acre site could be open to the public in June.

According to organizers, the park will have separate spaces planned for large and small dogs. It is expected to promote responsible dog ownership and reduce the likelihood that dogs will be let loose in neighborhoods, on streets or in parks.

It will be nice to have a place that people can take their dogs — not only for dog socialization, but for the socialization of the owners as well.

Thanks to the Rotary Club that spearheaded the project.

 

To efforts to bring more broadband funding to Greater Minnesota.

Though it’s still unclear how much funding for broadband will be included by the end of the session, it is promising to see that both the House and Senate have appropriated funding for it in their bills. 

We support a Senate bill that includes $85 million in broadband investment over the House version for $25 million because of how vital it is for economic development.

Local leaders have lobbied for this funding, stressing its importance for local business. We hope in the end, legislators will see the value in these dollars for Greater Minnesota.