From Kwik Trip to Apartments: Inside Marshall’s $36.9M in 2024 Construction

Issue #226

25 Mar

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

⛅ Marshall, MN Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 52

🗞️ From Kwik Trip to Apartments: Inside Marshall’s $36.9M in 2024 Construction

🗞️ Hard-Hit by Bird Flu, Minnesota Farmer Works to Restore Poultry Business

📣 Want to get your business in the Marshall Area Insider? Let’s talk!

📌 Know of other local events not listed? Send us the details!

From Kwik Trip to Apartments: Inside Marshall’s $36.9M in 2024 Construction

Marshall experienced a surge in construction activity in 2024, with the total value of building permits reaching $36.9 million—the highest in a decade. The bulk of this growth came from commercial developments, which accounted for $32 million of the total.

Several large projects played a significant role in the increase, including a new apartment complex, a Kwik Trip, renovations at Ag Plus Cooperative, and the construction of a Les Schwab Tire location. These four projects alone contributed $20.7 million in permit value.

The city issued a total of 284 building permits in 2024, reflecting a decline from the 326 permits issued in 2023. However, part of this drop was due to changes in how HVAC permits were counted separately from other permits starting in 2024.

Residential construction remained steady but modest. Only five permits were issued for new single-family or duplex homes, marking the lowest number in a decade. In contrast, 2021 saw a peak with 20 permits for new homes. Over the past 10 years, residential permits have generally accounted for around 80% of the total number of permits issued each year.

Despite fluctuations in permit numbers, the total value of permits has varied significantly over the years. The previous high was in 2015, when the city recorded $35.6 million in permits, driven by major projects like the Red Baron Arena and Expo and a Lyon County courthouse expansion. In contrast, the lowest total value in the past decade was in 2017, at just $8.7 million.

While commercial projects have driven much of the permit value, residential construction has remained relatively stable, ranging between $3.6 million and $5.7 million annually. Notable exceptions occurred in 2019, when a hailstorm led to a spike in roofing projects, and in 2021, when an increase in home construction pushed residential permit values to $8.8 million.

The city recently updated its website to provide more resources on building codes and permits. A new “Buildings/Permits” section on the city’s website offers details on building permits, zoning regulations, and rental property registration, along with an online application system for permits.

Hard-Hit by Bird Flu, Minnesota Farmer Works to Restore Poultry Business

A Martin County poultry farmer has been fighting to contain the spread of avian flu since November, facing significant losses and challenges in restoring his operation.

As one of the largest poultry producers in the area and Minnesota’s only state-certified emu producer, Andrew Moeller built his business on shipping eggs and chicks across the country. However, when Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) struck his farm, everything came to a halt.

Avian flu has been a recurring issue in Martin County, previously forcing cancellations of state and county poultry events in 2015 due to a mutation that allowed the virus to survive colder temperatures. The virus primarily spreads through wild waterfowl, which deposit the pathogen in fields through bodily fluids. Once frozen into the soil, the virus can resurface with seasonal migration patterns, increasing infection risks each year.

Moeller first noticed signs of infection while tending to his birds one evening. By the following afternoon, half of his chickens exhibited severe symptoms. The disease progresses rapidly, attacking internal organs and leading to organ failure in infected birds.

State and federal agencies responded quickly, with the Minnesota Department of Health initially investigating before the USDA took over due to the involvement of emus. Moeller’s farm became the first known case of HPAI affecting emus that the USDA had the opportunity to study, making it a key point of research.

In chickens, the virus has a 100% mortality rate. Although Moeller and his family were tested for the disease, all results came back negative, as did tests on the farm’s dogs and barn cats.

Because Moeller’s emu operation was classified as a hobby farm at the time, he was able to prevent the USDA from ordering the birds to be euthanized. Instead, officials monitored them to see if any survived the outbreak. Unfortunately, of the 13 emus, only five made it through, with only one male left—an issue since emus have highly selective breeding habits.

While his emus were spared, his chickens, ducks, and other poultry were not as fortunate. Due to concerns about the virus mutating and spreading to hogs, the USDA required all poultry on the farm to be euthanized. The beef cattle and sheep were given an exception.

After months of setbacks, Moeller recently secured a small group of replacement laying hens, which are now housed in an isolated facility on the farm. With a four-month shutdown behind him, he was able to reopen his farm just days ago.

For consumers, the impact on egg and poultry prices is expected to persist. Rebuilding flocks takes time, as new hens must be hatched and raised before they can contribute to supply chains.

Given current market conditions, many producers are prioritizing flock restoration over sending eggs to market, further delaying price relief.

Upcoming Area Events

 🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!

Tuesday, March 25th
Wednesday, March 26th

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

  • Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

    • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Saturday, March 29th
Saturday and Sunday, March 29th and 30th

  • 2025 Culligan Water Marshall Home Show at the Red Baron Arena and Expo Center in Marshall

    • Saturday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    • Sunday from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday, March 30th
Wednesday, April 2nd (first Wednesday of every month)

  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Adult Community Center in Marshall

    • Open to everyone, come when you can, no cost or obligation to attend, refreshments available

    • For questions contact Jane Nelson Como (507) 829-1143

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

  • Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

    • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Friday - Sunday, April 4, 5 and 6th
Friday, April 4th

  • KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

    • Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll

    • Adults $13, Children (age 10 & under) $9

Saturday, April 5th
Monday, April 7th

  • Marshall Area Cancer Support Group Meetings at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall at 6:00 PM

    • For patients, survivors, and caregivers looking for support

Wednesday, April 9th

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

  • Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

    • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Saturday, April 12th

  • Eggstravaganza at Lakeview Schools in Cottonwood from 9:00 - 10:30 AM

  • Granite Area Arts Council classes: Adult Carving from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ($55)

  • Eggstravaganza at Boulder Estates in Marshall from 1:00 - 3:00 PM

    • Fun games, face painting, snacks, get your photo taken with the Eater Bunny

    • Recommended for kis 8 and under

Wednesday, April 16th

  • Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

    • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Thursday, April 17th

  • Easter Egg & Bunny Scavenger Hunt at the Marshall Lyon County Museum from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday, April 18th

  • Glo-Wild Egg Hunt at location TBD from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

  • Easter Egg & Bunny Scavenger Hunt at the Marshall Lyon County Museum from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday, April 19th

  • Easter Egg Swim at the YMCA in Marshall at 9:30 AM

    • Sign up for just $5

  • Wood Lake Easter Egg Hunt at Freedom Park (weather permitting) starting at 10:00 AM for children 2-7

    • Bring your basket to collect eggs

  • Easter Egg & Bunny Scavenger Hunt at the Marshall Lyon County Museum from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

We want to take a moment to express our gratitude to you for being such a fantastic part of our newsletter community.

Your support, feedback, and engagement mean the world and it's what keeps us motivated to bring you valuable content every time.

But guess what? We're on a mission to make an even bigger impact on our community, and we need your help!

You can share our newsletter with your friends & family. Together, we can grow our community and reach even more people!

As a token of our appreciation for your support, you'll have the chance to receive a birthday shout out, a $10 gift card from Kwik Trip, or a $25 gift card from Rolling Hills Pizza! 🎉

So help us spread the word!

Marshall’s & Southwest MN’s Best Kept Secret:
Is Your Business One of Them?

We ❤️ local businesses!

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts.

If you're a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you!

Marshall Area Insider is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our town. Send us a message and let's collaborate to let the community know what makes your business special!

👇 Select an option below:

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.