Concealed Carry Training Business Grows Rapidly in Southern Minnesota

Issue #259

08 May

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

☀️ Marshall, MN Weather - Sunny with a high of 74

🗞️ Concealed Carry Training Business Grows Rapidly in Southern Minnesota

🗞️ Former Nursing Home in Balaton to Become Apartments in Phases

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Concealed Carry Training Business Grows Rapidly in Southern Minnesota

In his first year as a business owner, John Davey of Davey Defense is seeing rapid growth and strong demand for his Permit to Carry classes in Fairmont and surrounding communities.

Davey’s journey into firearms instruction began in 2021 when he sought a class for his son. That search led to Davey becoming certified as an instructor himself, which soon evolved into a personal passion for teaching firearm safety and legal responsibility.

After gaining experience volunteering at shooting ranges and working with a training company, Davey faced a turning point in January 2025 when the company he worked for shut down. Rather than leave the field, he launched his own business. Since then, Davey reports that he’s trained more people in 2025 than he had in the previous four years combined.

Davey Defense offers Minnesota Permit to Carry training, which follows standards set by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Courses are delivered in two parts: an online portion that covers essential legal, ethical, and safety concepts, and an in-person session for live-fire instruction and firearms handling.

The course addresses topics such as concealed carry mindset, use of force, legal boundaries, and post-incident considerations. Once students demonstrate understanding and complete live-fire requirements, they receive a certificate of completion.

Demand for classes has been consistently high. Davey attributes this interest to a range of factors, including concerns about personal safety and broader societal trends. He noted that more women are enrolling, often citing a desire for increased confidence and self-protection.

Davey Defense currently has eight instructors, with coverage extending beyond Fairmont to cities including New Ulm, Redwood Falls, and Northfield. Several of the instructors joined after the closure of Davey’s previous employer.

Looking ahead, Davey plans to expand his reach statewide, aiming to make permit-to-carry training accessible across Minnesota. Classes are available year-round by request. Individuals who are legally prohibited from firearm ownership, such as felons or drug users, are advised not to enroll.

For more information or to schedule a class, visit daveydefense.com or call 507-276-8484.

Former Nursing Home in Balaton to Become Apartments in Phases

A plan to convert the former Colonial Manor nursing home in Balaton into apartments will proceed in smaller phases after developers were unable to secure expected state funding, Lyon County Commissioners learned this week.

Although the project did not receive a $250,000 award from Minnesota Housing, developers plan to begin with the first three of nine proposed apartment units. The phased approach will allow revenue from initial rentals to support continued construction of the remaining units.

Lyon County Commissioners voted to move ahead with allocating $100,000 in Statewide Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA) to support the effort. The funding will be structured as a 0% deferred loan over 10 years. If developers retain ownership and complete all nine units during that time, the loan will be forgiven. Otherwise, it must be repaid.

Colonial Manor, which closed in 2019 and was once city-owned, was purchased by KEH, Inc., with the goal of transforming the facility into market-rate housing. The developers initially presented their proposal in 2024 and included the county’s $100,000 commitment in their state grant application.

Despite receiving a competitive score, the state did not award the additional funds, possibly due to geographic distribution criteria. In response, developers revised their budget and project timeline.

The first three units may be completed by the end of 2025, with construction of another three units starting the following year. A portion of the building has already been converted into rental storage to supplement income.

Lyon County's available SAHA funding has declined in recent years, from over $100,000 in both 2023 and 2024 to around $44,000 in 2025. Commissioners expressed support for the project but also raised questions about its financial sustainability. Based on projections, the first phase is expected to generate around $8,000 in annual net operating income, with profitability increasing as more units are completed and rented.

Upcoming Area Events

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

Thursday, May 8th - Saturday, May 10th

  • Spring 2025 Rummage Sale in Cottonwood

Thursday, May 8th

  • Spring Salad Luncheon at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church Carlin Hall in Marshall from 11 AM - 1 PM

    • Tickets available at the door and in advance at HyVee for $12. All are welcome and invited!

Saturday, May 10th
Friday, May 16th

  • Boulder Estates Community Health & Wellness Fair at Boulder Estates in Marshall, 601 Village Drive from 2:00 - 4:00 PM

    • Free event

    • Over 20 vendors, free resources and information

Saturday, May 17th

  • Made in Minnesota Craft Beer & Wine Festival at the Red Baron Arena in Marshall from 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Tuesday, May 20th

  • Needle Felt class in Granite Falls

    • Register for this fun class and take home a needle felted frog. $40 includes all materials. Register here: www.granitefallsarts.org

Sunday, June 1 - Wednesday, June 4

  • 2025 First Lutheran VBS in Marshall from 4:00-7:15pm (Snack and Supper Included)

Wednesday, June 4th (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

Thursday, June 5th

  • Makers Market in Granite Falls from 5-8 PM, with live music by Clark Machtemes

Saturday, June 14th

  • Ribfest in Echo, MN at Echo Community Park

    • Rib meal will be ready ay 4:00 PM

Special Community Events

  • SAIL: Stay Active & Independent For Life brought to you by A.C.E. of SW MN

    • a total of 24 classes every Tuesday and Thursday

    • from April 29 - July 17 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at the YMCA in Marshall

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