The Community

 

The City of Marshall, selected as one of “The Best Small Towns in America” in 1993, 1995 and 2002, stands out as one of the most vibrant and progressive cities in southwestern Minnesota.  As a leader in industry, education, and technology, Marshall enjoys a regional reputation for economic vitality.  The population of 13,000 residents grows daily to 24,000 people as a result of a multitude of opportunities for employment, education, and retail shopping in the City of Marshall. 

 

Marshall is home to The Schwan Food Company, one of Minnesota’s largest private companies and the City’s most prominent employer.  The major impact of Schwan’s on the City of Marshall comes not only from employment opportunities for 2,500 but from the organization’s commitment to benefit the entire community.  Other prominent food processing industries are Turkey Valley Farms, a turkey processor employing 300, and the Archer Daniels Midland Company, a corn wet milling facility with 250 employees.  The presence of Southwest Minnesota State University, which employs 375, has also contributed to the City’s growth and distinction.  Other major employers include Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center, with 385 employees; US Bank Corporation, with 450 employees; Wal-Mart Supercenter, with 400 employees; Independent School District #413, with 320 employees; and Hy-Vee Foods, with 400 employees.  The business community and the City of Marshall are committed to leadership in technology.  The City has been wired with cable, Internet, local ISP’s, high-speed data lines, and broadband lines with multiple providers. 

 

Marshall is located 143 miles southwest of the Twin Cities and 90 miles northeast of Sioux Falls, SD.  US Highway 59 and State Highways 68, 23, and 19 intersect the City.  The Southwest Minnesota Regional Airport-Marshall/Ryan Field serves the area and features a 5,010-foot primary runway and a 4,000-foot crosswind runway.  The primary runway is in the process of being extended to 7,220 feet in length to handle corporate/commercial aircraft and possible future scheduled air service.

 

History

 

The area along the Redwood River, where Marshall is presently situated, was first settled in 1870. Within two years, the Winona & St. Peter Railroad was built and Marshall became the Lyon County Seat. The prairie community grew rapidly into a thriving town of 1,000 with a newspaper and a variety of shops. In 1950, the Weiner Memorial Hospital was built as a memorial gift from the Weiner family. About that time, Paul Schwan built a dairy plant and four years later founded the Schwan’s Ice Cream Company. In 1963, the Minnesota University System created Southwest Minnesota State University, providing a great impact on the social environment and development of the City of Marshall.

 

Recent Development

 

Commercial  projects include the opening of a new 184,000 square foot Super Wal-Mart Center, a 72,000 square foot corporate office/warehouse distribution center for Runnings Supply, Inc., a 21,000 square foot addition to the U.S. Bank Corporation building, construction of a new Starbucks outlet, and a Kentucky Fried Chicken/A&W Restaurant. 

 

In 2004, the City approved new residential subdivision plats and construction is in progress to add 300 new residential lots to the City. The Marshall Economic Development Authority and the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership cooperated in the construction of nine single family residential spec houses in the city-owned Parkway Addition II Subdivision which is opening in 2006.

 

Construction was initiated in 2005 on four special assessment improvement projects totaling over $5 million.  These projects will provide for the replacement and installation of new water mains, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, streets, curbs and gutters, and sidewalks in three residential neighborhoods and a commercial district. 

 

The Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Foundation has initiated construction on a $7 million 140-bed apartment-style residence hall which will open in the Fall of 2006.  The City served as the conduit issuer of $5.6 million in tax exempt bonds for the project.

 

Recreation and Education

 

The City has an extensive park system comprised of six parks on 110 acres.  Camden State Park, located 10 miles southwest of Marshall, offers areas for picnics, hiking, fishing, camping, horseback riding, swimming and cross country skiing.  Recreational facilities in Marshall include an aquatic center highlighted by a 190’ Aqua trail water slide, a baseball stadium and a Tier II skate park.  The Schwan Ice Arena is a quality multipurpose arena with seating up to 850. 

 

Marshall has just completed the renovation of its original park, Liberty Park, for the local Rotary Club’s Centennial Project.  The band shell has been updated, new playground equipment purchased and all new landscaping added to enhance the Victorian style amenities.

 

Community events include an annual classic and collector car show in June.  Annual 4^th of July events are held in Independence Park and include the Festival of Kites and fireworks.  The Lyon County Fairgrounds is the setting for the annual fair and the International Rolle Bolle tournament in August.  The Sounds of Summer celebration, including a parade, live entertainment and family activities, takes place annually in August.  The Pursuit of Excellence, southwest Minnesota’s premiere marching band competition, is held in September.  Homecoming weekend events at Southwest Minnesota State University are well attended by residents, students and alumni. 

 

After passing a $42 million building referendum in 2003, Marshall’s new 219,000 sq. ft. Jeffersonian style high school is a work of art.  Its large windows allow for improved learning environments in the two-story structure, while state-of-the-art wireless and media support infrastructure allows students learning opportunities throughout the 60 acre campus.  The 800-seat Performing Arts Theater is a sight to behold with sound and light systems typically only found in large metropolitan facilities.  Marshall takes pride in the fact that over 50% of its teaching staff have advanced degrees.  The Marshall Middle School, after its recent $5 million renovation of the 230,000 sq. ft. facility, will set a trend in middle school development statewide.  Marshall continues to expand its award winning “After School” Program in academics and extra-curricular activities. 

 

Independent School District #413 serves the City and 161 square miles of surrounding area.  The District employs 160 teachers within two elementary schools (K-2 and 3-4), a middle school (5-8), and a senior high school (9-12). Total enrollment for 2006 is approximately 2,350.  Private schools offering education for students from grades K-12 include Holy Redeemer (K-8), Samuel Lutheran (Pre-K to 8) and Marshall Area Christian Schools (K-12.)

 

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), recognized as the #1 regional public liberal arts college in the Midwest by US News and World Report nine straight years, is a four-year university offering a high quality of education in undergraduate and master’s programs to 3,600 students. SMSU specializes in liberal arts education with strong career planning. New programs have been added in high demand fields. SMSU serves as a valuable resource for the Marshall community. The Natural Science Museum, Planetarium, Museum of Anthropology, William Whipple Art Gallery, and the Southwest Minnesota State Historical Center are located on the SMSU campus and are open to the public. A variety of organizations at SMSU sponsor events, activities, athletic competition, lecture series, workshops, entertainment, and music performances which are open to the residents of Marshall. A new student/conference center opened in 2005 that serves the meeting space needs for the Southwest Region of the state.

 

Health Services

 

Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center combines a 49-bed full service municipal hospital (currently a 25-bed Critical Access Facility) with a 76-bed skilled nursing long-term care facility, a 24-hour emergency care center, home and community based services agency and an outpatient services center.

 

Affiliated Community Medical Center Marshall has two clinics which staff over 20 multi-specialty physicians and mid-level practitioners including family practice, internal medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, orthopedics, and surgery.

 

Economic Development

 

Historically, economic development in Marshall has occurred through the leadership of multiple parties, including the City Administrator (EDA/HRA Director), City Council, Chamber of Commerce, Marshall Industrial Development Corporation, Marshall Economic Development Authority (EDA), Southwest Regional Development Commission, Prairieland Economic Development Corporation, and the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership.

 

In June 2002, the Mayor of Marshall formed Marshall Amenities Task Force (MATF) to address specific economic development performance necessary for the continued growth and development of the City of Marshall.  MATF recommended the creation of an organization, headed by a Director of Economic Development, dedicated to economic growth centered in the City of Marshall that would specifically address the following:

 

·         Retention and/or expansion of existing businesses in the greater-Marshall area

·         Recruitment of new businesses from outside the area

·         Providing incentives for local investors to start new businesses

 

Funding to support the Director of Economic Development position is provided by the City of Marshall and Marshall Municipal Utilities. 

 

Recently the Marshall Municipal Utilities passed a resolution to assist in the development of land capable of supporting new industrial growth in the form of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT).  The amount of PILOT funds to be paid in any one year cannot exceed $500,000, provided there is a 50% match from the city.

 

Sources of funding for economic development projects and activities are provided by the Minnesota JOBZ program, Marshall Community Reinvestment Fund and Minnesota Investment Fund, as well as through Tax Increment Financing methods.

 

The EDA is composed of seven members with the City Administrator serving as Director.  The EDA annually develops and presents an economic development strategy to the City Council for consideration and approval, and may employ staff as deemed appropriate by the City Council. The EDA manages the Marshall Community Reinvestment Fund for economic development purposes such as acquisition of property, equity investments, working capital loans, equipment and tool loans, and inventory loans. The EDA also issues general obligation bonds and revenue bonds upon approval of the City Council.

 

The Organization

 

The City of Marshall was incorporated in 1872 and the city charter was adopted in 1969. Marshall has a Home Rule Charter government structure operated by a Mayor and six Council members and an appointed City Administrator. Fifteen active citizen boards and commissions assist the Council. The City oversees the Marshall Municipal Utilities, Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center (Hospital), the Marshall/Lyon County Library, and the Marshall Public Housing Commission.

 

The City recently received an upgrade to its financial bond rating and now carries an A-2 rating with Moody’s Investors Service. The 2006 general fund budget is $9.6 million and the total operating budget is $24.3 million. The City employs 81 full-time employees and operates four (4) major Divisions including Community Services, General Services, Public Safety and Public Works.