This is exciting - Hoffman (and Barrett) both gain in population under the 2010 census figures

The figures have just been released. Hoffman grew from 672 (2000) to 681 (2010). The city of Hoffman has overcome substantial economic obstacles during the past decade to post this gain.

Barrett grew from 355 (2000) to 415 (2010).

Herman did not fare badly either, though the city did lose population. The 2010 census figure for Herman is 437. In 2000, it was 457.

New broadband grant program going into effect in western Minnesota

Hans Muessig with the University of Minnesota Extension Service talked about the new broadband program going into effect in western Minnesota. This was at today's Hoffman Commerce and Ag meeting at Bullfrog's Bar and Grill.

Below, a short discussion is held on ideas to draw people to town in a way of benefiting the business community. This was during the September 16, 2010 meeting of the Hoffman Commerce and Ag at Bullfrog's Bar and Grill.

Three video clips from Wednesday's governor candidate forum at Farmfest

I'll be adding more on Friday - right now I'm labeling the ones that I've uploaded.

You can view them at the Herman-Hoffman Tribune website's videos page.

http://www.hermanhoffmantribune.com

Hoffman's new water tower is getting its first touches of new paint today

Today the first coat of paint on the exterior of the new water tower started to get added.

A video of the action is being uploaded to the Tribune website's videos page right now.

Check back on Friday to see more video and pictures of the painting.

Hoffman City Council tours new water treatment plant following their monthly meeting

The trusses for the new treatment plant were just added on Tuesday this week.


Other videos from the council meeting have been added to the Tribune website's videos page. They are of the discussion held with Tesch's Grooming, a new business in Hoffman that requested variances on the animal ordinances in Hoffman.

http://www.hermanhoffmantribune.com

Hoffman Commerce and Ag donates $500 towards Hoffman Water Tower logo fund - other funds being raised as you read this!

At today's Hoffman Commerce and Ag meeting, held at Anderson's Dew Drop Inn, the group voted to donate $500 to kickstart the fundraising effort on the new water tower logo. It was also reported that the Hoffman Lions has pledged $500 to the cause.

Other funds have already come in, and many donors wish to remain anonymous. Look for more on the fundraising effort to this cause in future issues of the Herman-Hoffman Tribune!

Here's Muriel Krusemark's presentation on Hoffman at the Symposium on Small Towns in Morris

Here's the first part...


...and here's the second part.


Stay tuned for more from today's events in Morris.

Symposium on Small Towns coming to the University of Minnesota-Morris on Thursday - Editor will be blogging all day from the event

Here's a link to see the full schedule for the Symposium on Small Towns at the University of Minnesota-Morris, to be held tomorrow, Thursday, June 10:

http://www.morris.umn.edu/cst/symposium/2010/agenda_symp.php

The event begins at 9:00am, and at 9:30am Hoffman's Economic Development Authority director Muriel Krusemark will be a keynote speaker on a panel of “real people doing real stuff” emphasizing small communities with big success stories.

How cool is that?!?!

Hoffman City-wide/Country and Rural Block Party set for this Wednesday night, May 19

by HEDA office

The first Summer Block Party in Hoffman is set for Wednesday, May 19, at 6:30pm. The whole town and rural residents will gather at the city park for one combined party.

The offical starting date for the Farmer's Market is Wednesday, June 30.
The Health Care Mall is now open and boasts four providers. They are Dr. Holsinger (podiatrist), Dr. Chamberlin (chiropractor), Jennifer Jopp (massage therapist), and Robert Froke (clinical audiologist). The Health Care Mall has a new telephone number is (320) 986-CARE, or 320-986-2273. It will give you the numbers for each of the providers.

Please consider using our local businesses before going out of town.

Health care reform and small business - myths and realities

by John Crabtree johnc@cfra.org
Center for Rural Affairs

Unfortunately, rural small businesses find it increasingly difficult to provide their employees health insurance. Entrepreneurs' hesitancy to leave employment with insurance for their business start-up creates a barrier for rural America's most effective development tool.

Small business has been used as a foil for opponents of health care reform. Considering the impact of reform and of skyrocketing health insurance costs on small business should be an important consideration in this debate. It's crucial, however, that those who reference small business get the facts straight.

A new Center for Rural Affairs report - Health Care Reform: What's in It for Small Business? - challenges four major myths about the impact of health care reform on small business. The health care reform law will not force small business to provide health insurance for their employees because most small businesses (50 or fewer employees) are exempt from the mandate and freed from any penalties related to the mandate. Moreover, the law establishes a Small Business Tax Credit for providing health insurance for employees. The tax credits, available in tax years 2010 through 2013, provide some immediate relief in making health care more affordable and offer an incentive for small businesses to provide insurance.

As the features of health care reform are implemented, small, rural businesses will reap the benefit of larger group coverage providing comprehensive, affordable and continuous health care coverage for their business and their employees. In the meantime, find out more about health care reform and small business at (http://files.cfra.org/pdf/Small-Business-Health-Care.pdf).

A crowd of over a hundred attends the Hoffman Health Care Mall Grand Opening

What an awesome turnout! More will follow on the event Friday morning.

Here's a link to my Dotphoto online picture album: http://freescout.dotphoto.com/CPViewAlbum.asp?AID=6142949

...and a video clip.

This Thursday night - bring family and friends into Hoffman for the Health Care Mall's Grand Opening celebration! 7-9pm

Click on the ad below to enlarge for more details.













Below is a view of the new lobby area at the Hoffman Health Care Mall.

The Hoffman Health Care Mall Grand Opening is coming on April 29 from 7 to 9pm. Mark your calendars and be sure to bring the family to this event, as we celebrate a wonderful achievement for the Hoffman-Kensington-Herman area.

This is a perfect opportunity for you to meet the new health care professionals at the Hoffman Health Care Mall and learn about the services they can provide for you and your family.

Hoffman Health Care Mall Grand Opening is Thursday night, April 29

Click to enlarge.













The Hoffman Health Care Mall Grand Opening is coming on April 29 from 7 to 9pm. Mark your calendars and be sure to bring the family to this event, as we celebrate a wonderful achievement for the Hoffman-Kensington-Herman area.

This is a perfect opportunity for you to meet the new health care professionals at the Hoffman Health Care Mall and learn about the services they can provide for you and your family.

Two big activities coming on Saturday: See you at either the Grant County FUN Expo in Elbow Lake - or the Quilt Show/Food Bonanza in Hoffman

Saturday, April 17 will be a busy and action-packed day in Grant County, as the FUN Expo will be held in Elbow Lake at the WCA North elementary school, and then the third annual HEDA Quilt Show/Food Bonanza will be held at Hoffman Square and the Hoffman Senior Center.

The Grant County FUN Expo will take place from 9:00am until Noon.

The HEDA (Hoffman Economic Development Authority) Quilt Show and Food Bonanza will take place from 10am to 3pm. The luncheon will be served from 11am to 1pm. This event takes place at Hoffman Square (the old school) in John Kleinsasser Gymnasium.

Here's a glimpse of clothes at the Hoffman Community Center gathered for the Clothes Exchange, which will take place on Saturday morning.

Third annual Quilt Show and Food Bonanza coming to Hoffman this Saturday - sponsored by Hoffman Economic Development Authority

Local quilting enthusiast Donna Emmert gave a short explanation of her quilt that will be raffled off at the April 17 HEDA Quilt Show and Food Bonanza. Raffle tickets are $2 or three for $5.