News
Local Student Awarded Statewide Scholarship
The Minnesota Telecom Alliance (MTA) is proud to announce that it received 117 scholarship applications from students across Minnesota – and one of the winners is right here in our community. Mr. Logan Larson has been selected as the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship, presented by the MTA Foundation. The award was announced by Dave Bickett, General Manager/CEO of Park Region, and proud supported of the scholarship program. "We're honored to support Mr. Larson's educational journey," said Mr. Bickett.
Hospice of the Red River Valley to Host Free Community Rememberance Service
Hospice of the Red River Valley invites the community to join in a special rememberance service event designed to honor and celebrate the memory of loved ones. The “Heartstrings: A Remembrance Service” event will feature a special hands-on grief workshop where participants can create personalized memory keychains using individually chosen beads to honor their loved ones. This meaningful workshop will be followed by a remembrance service, offering an opportunity to reflect and celebrate those we’ve
M State Basketball Player Foday Sheriff Named NJCAA DIII Player of the Year
Fergus Falls, Minn. – M State Spartans men’s basketball player Foday Sheriff has been named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, the NJCAA announced today. Sheriff, a sophomore forward from Upper Derby, Pennsylvania, is only the second basketball player in M State history to receive the national Player of the Year title. (The first was Jason Retzlaff in the 1997-1998 season; Retzlaff is now an athletic director at M State.) The
2024 Park Region Annual Meeting & Customer Appreciation Event
UNDERWOOD, MN – Park Region hosted nearly 400 members and customers at their 2024 Park Region Annual Meeting and Customer Appreciation Event on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at the Underwood Public School. Doors opened at 5pm with an Underwood Lion’s pork chop dinner served in the commons area. Members and customers then made their way to the gym to register for the meeting, visit with staff and board members, see product demonstrations and more. At 6:30pm Park Region’s Business Operations Manager Dave
Chamber 2025 Priorities Survey Results
Thank you to each of the businesses that participated in our 2025 Chamber Priorities Survey! A summary of the results is below: Business Outlook is positive: 88% of businesses expect 2025 to be as good or better than 2024. Top 5 Business Concerns: Workforce - attracting and retaining employees Volatile costs of goods and services Finding new customers Inflation Workforce - increasing wages Top Desired Focus Areas for City/County Officials: Economic development--growth incentives for
Welcome Aboard: Meet the Fresh Faces of our Chamber Family!
Please help us welcome Dr. Laurie Johnsrud at Touching Lives Chiropractic. Dr. Laurie’s business is located inside the Fergus Falls Spine & Injury Center building (1515 W Lincoln Ave, Fergus Falls) with Dr. Jon McDonald. Dr. Laurie brings 20 years of chiropractic experience to her new location in Fergus Falls. Touching Lives focuses on the health and well-being of all ages, and Dr. Laurie is the only chiropractor in Fergus Falls certified by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association to
Spring into Action: Join Us for the April Chamber Member Mixer and May Chamber Cafe
As the flowers bloom and the community comes alive with energy, it’s the perfect time to connect, collaborate, and celebrate all the great things happening in our local business scene. This spring, we’re inviting you to two exciting events you won’t want to miss–the Chamber Member Mixer on April 28 and the May 8 Chamber Cafe! Member Mixer: Networking Made Easy Whether you’re a long-time Chamber member or new to the community, our Chamber Member Mixer is the perfect opportunity to network, mingle, and
Businesses Can Apply to Receive Summer Internship Wage Reimbursement
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a grant to help cover the wages of youth interns in 2025. The Chamber will receive up to $35,556 from the Future Ready Workforce Grant, a program funded by the Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Minnesota Chamber Foundation. In addition to this grant, the Fergus Falls Chamber will also be working with STEM grant funds through Lakes Country Service Cooperative, which will specifically cover jobs related to science, technology, engineering,
Save the Dates: Two Big Thursday Events are Coming
The Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce has two major events planned for this summer: Shop, Move ‘n Groove on Thursday, July 10 and the Chamber Golf Scramble on Thursday, August 21. Shop, Move ‘n Groove will be held on Thursday, July 10 from 4:00-8:00 pm in Spies Riverfront Park & Pavilion. It is historically the largest downtown event of the summer! Businesses and organizations will have booths displaying what they offer, and many will have fun games and activities for kids. We will have live music
Ignite Community Leadership Classes are Going Strong
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new Leadership Program for the Fergus Falls community in 2024. It’s called Ignite Community Leadership, and the program is designed to bring together emerging and existing leaders to explore leadership within themselves and for their community. Participants in Ignite classes will develop and enhance their leadership skills, grow professional relationships, explore new leadership responsibilities, and foster an understanding of the forces affecting
LRH to Host Open House Pain Management Strategies Workshops
LRH to Host Open House Pain Management Strategies Workshops April 29th at YMCA and June 24th at Fergus Falls Public Library [Fergus Falls, MN] With chronic pain and opioid misuse on the rise, Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) is one of several rural sites awarded a grant to improve provider skills and community access to holistic chronic pain interventions aimed at reducing the risk for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). “Opioids have been used to address chronic pain regardless of underlying cause or severity for
LRH Launches Food Prescription Pilot Program
LRH Launches Food Prescription Pilot Program through support of UCare Foundation [Fergus Falls, MN] The quality and availability of food has a powerful impact on overall health, and a new pilot program at Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) is designed to demonstrate this potential for people with diabetes. The Food RX pilot program will start in May through a partnership with Otter Tail County Public Health and a grant from the UCare Foundation. “We continue to expand our Lifestyle Medicine program to equip
Shopko Optical Completes Acquisition of Fergus Falls Optometric Center
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Shopko Optical, a leader in providing trusted eye care to communities for over 40 years, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Fergus Falls Optometric Center in Fergus Falls, 117 E Lincoln Ave. Dr. Mark Olmsted and Dr. Christine Olmsted will continue optometric care for patients at Shopko Optical Fergus Falls along with Dr. Jay Kisch, located at 3306 State Hwy 210 W, beginning March 17. “We are grateful for the opportunity to welcome Dr. Mark Olmsted and Dr. Christine Olmsted and
West Central Initiative Grant Award
LB Homes is a proud recipient of a $580 grant from the Inga M. Johnson Endowment Fund through West Central Initiative. This fund was established to assist programs benefiting the Fergus Falls area. The money will be used for specific items in our Activities Department which will directly benefit our residents.“West Central Initiative (WCI) is a regional community foundation and an economic development organization serving the nine west central?Minnesota counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail,
Keeping Americans Connected with Broadband Built to Last
The idea that all Americans should have reliable access to communications services at a reasonable cost has been a national objective for over a century. Today, the Federal Universal Service Fund (USF) helps rural Americans connect to high-quality, affordable broadband and supports critical connections for low income families, schools, libraries and healthcare facilities in rural communities. Without USF support, it is difficult to make a business case to invest in many rural areas, to sustain networks
Park Region Announces New Twins Channel
Bringing Live Minnesota Twins Games to prtvnow! Streaming TV Subscribers Park Region, a leading local provider of streaming TV services, is excited to announce fans of the Minnesota Twins can now catch every pitch, hit, and home run live on the brand-new Twins Channel, now available to all prtvnow! streaming TV subscribers. The Twins Channel will provide exclusive coverage of Minnesota Twins games throughout the 2025 MLB season, delivering high-quality broadcasts and expert commentary straight to fans’
51st Invitational Art Show Opens Today at M State
A Lovely Display of Area Talents Fergus Falls, Minn. – The annual Invitational Art Show is back for another season at M State, marking the event’s 51st year of supporting and showcasing local artists. An open-invite representation of the Fergus Falls area’s abundant creative talents and sources of inspiration, the show shines a spotlight on a diverse range of artistic skill sets and mediums. “This year, there are 92 works of art representing 57 artists and many different mediums,” says Lori Charest, M
Fergus Falls Salvation Army Announces Closure of Thrift Store
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. – The Fergus Falls Salvation Army regrettably announces the closure of its longstanding Family Store, marking the end of more than 60 years of service to the community. Despite exhaustive efforts by dedicated staff to increase profitability, the thrift store has faced financial challenges exacerbated by a challenging economy and increased competition. "Our team has worked tirelessly to explore various avenues to sustain the store's operations," said Lieutenant Joshua Bowyer, who
Otter Tail County Community Development & Housing Annual Report
The Community Development and Housing department had a year of growth, connections, and progress in 2024. The Annual Report shares housing, workforce, child care, broadband, business development, and community partnership efforts accomplished last year, and it's available to read on the County's website: ottertailcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CDH-Annual-Report2024.pdf
Otter Tail County sees housing growth in 2024
Otter Tail County’s Big Build initiative saw continued housing growth in 2024. Last year, over $94.2 million in housing investment was added in the county from 443 new and rehabbed housing units, 358 of these being new construction and 85 being rehabbed units. The success in 2024 is great progress for The Big Build housing growth and investment initiative, launched by the Otter Tail County Community Development Agency (CDA) at the end of 2019. Since launching the initiative, nearly 3,000 homes have been
FinCEN's BOI Filing Deadline: 01/01/2025 - Fergus Falls, MN Businesses Must File Now to Avoid Fines!
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires businesses to report Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) to FinCEN to enhance financial transparency and deter illicit activities. As of today, November 27, 2024, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, business owners have 35 calendar days (or 25 business days) left to file their BOI report with FinCEN—act quickly to avoid $500 per day fines! What You Need to Do:1. Determine if Your Business Must File. Most LLCs, corporations, and small businesses qualify as
Pave the Way for Sustainable Growth: Essential Steps for Small Business Expansion
Growing a small business often signals a promising future, but expansion brings challenges that require thoughtful planning. The decision to scale involves more than just increasing output; it touches every aspect of the business. As growth opportunities emerge, business owners must evaluate their readiness to navigate new complexities while ensuring their core values remain intact. Planning for expansion is about laying the groundwork for sustained success rather than short-term gains.Assess Financial
Financial Mastery for Small Business Success
In the dynamic landscape of small business, financial acumen is paramount for sustainable growth. To navigate the complexities of fiscal management effectively, it's imperative to arm yourself with the requisite knowledge and strategies. Here are key steps to gaining financial wisdom and making astute decisions for your small business. Streamline Financial Processes with PDFs Small business owners must prioritize the protection of their financial documents. With PDFs, businesses can
Secret Sauce Strategies for Persuasive Sales Pitches
In business, the ability to sway decisions and win over clients is crucial to your success. Crafting persuasive sales pitches and formulating winning marketing strategies requires a deep understanding of several key elements that resonate well with your target audience. The following guidelines will help you refine your approach, ensuring you communicate value effectively and captivate your prospective customers.Understand Your Target Audience Understanding your target audience’s needs, preferences, and
Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant: All You Have to Do Is Ask Acrobat’s Generative AI Document & PDF Tool
Adobe Acrobat has long been an invaluable tool for business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees all over the world thanks to its wide array of PDF generation and editing tools. Now, Acrobat AI Assistant offers new benefits for businesses of all sizes. Acrobat AI Assistant’s revolutionary software can transform your business with its incredible features: Data Extraction: Extracting data from documents is crucial for tasks like compiling financial reports and analyzing market trends. The AI
Amplify Your Business: Mastering Public Speaking for Small Business Growth
Harnessing the power of public speaking can significantly elevate your small business's profile and reach within the market. This invaluable skill is crucial for entrepreneurs striving to assert their authority, forge meaningful connections with potential clients, and differentiate their enterprises from competitors. By articulately sharing your passion, expertise, and the distinctive benefits your business provides, you can captivate a broader audience, creating a fertile ground for growth and new
Global Freelance Team Success: Key Strategies for Unity and Productivity
In the dynamic world of business, assembling a global team of freelancers is a strategic pivot toward innovation and flexibility. The diverse talents from various corners of the world bring a wealth of perspectives and skills. However, the real challenge lies in smoothly integrating these individuals into a cohesive, productive, and happy team. This article discusses a few best practices for cultivating such a team, highlighting effective strategies for a harmonious, efficient, and successful global