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Expect Detours: Roundabout Construction Set Near National Guard Armory Starting July 8

Issue #301

07 Jul

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

⛈️ Marshall, MN Weather - Scattered thunderstorms with a high of 79

🗞️ Expect Detours: Roundabout Construction Set Near National Guard Armory Starting July 8

🗞️ SMSU and MNWest Tuition Set to Rise in 2025–26 Academic Year

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

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

Expect Detours: Roundabout Construction Set Near National Guard Armory Starting July 8

Construction is set to begin next week on a new roundabout near the National Guard Armory in Marshall, as part of the broader Highway 19 reconstruction project.

Beginning Tuesday, July 8, a section of Country Club Drive—from Southview Drive to Highway 19 (West College Drive)—will be closed to traffic to allow for the project to proceed.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and R & G Construction are managing the work, which is expected to last through the end of September, weather permitting.

During the closure, drivers will be detoured via Southview Drive and U.S. Highway 59.

The roundabout will be constructed at the three-way intersection adjacent to the Armory, one of several major updates included in the multi-phase overhaul of Highway 19 through Marshall.

Other active segments of the project include roadway work between Fairgrounds Road and Main Street, and improvements at the Saratoga Street and College Drive intersection.

Utility work has already been completed between Greeley and Main Street, with installation of traffic signal conduits scheduled next. Once that section is backfilled and graded, the area near Saratoga Street will be reopened just as the roundabout work begins.

Despite the ongoing closures, local businesses along the affected routes remain open, with access provided throughout construction.

Additional closures beginning July 8 will include Timmerman Drive, Artillery Drive, and South Second Street at Highway 19. MnDOT urges motorists to plan alternate routes and follow posted detour signage.

Weekly construction update meetings are held every Thursday at 10 a.m. at Marshall City Hall. These meetings are open to the public and provide detailed progress reports and opportunities to ask questions.

For further updates, MnDOT will post information on its project website and Southwest Minnesota Facebook group.

SMSU and MNWest Tuition Set to Rise in 2025–26 Academic Year

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) and Minnesota West Community and Technical College (MNWest) will see tuition increases for the 2025–26 academic year, following a recent decision by the Minnesota State system to raise tuition across its 33 colleges and universities.

The Minnesota State Board of Trustees approved increases ranging from 4% to 8%, averaging 4.5% for colleges and 6.5% for universities. SMSU will implement a 6% increase for undergraduate tuition, while MNWest will raise tuition by 4%, the lowest rate in the system.

The tuition adjustments are driven by declining state support. The system’s FY2026 operating budget includes a $43 million reduction in state appropriations, marking a 4.8% cut from the previous year.

To help fill the gap, institutions are relying more heavily on tuition revenue.

For SMSU students, the 6% tuition increase equates to approximately $530 more per year. When student fees are included, the overall cost increase amounts to about 5.4%. Graduate tuition at SMSU will also rise by 3.5%, or just over $18 per credit.

Despite the increase, SMSU remains financially stable, thanks in part to recent gains in enrollment. The university saw a nearly 15% year-over-year increase in headcount last fall and an 18% rise in spring semester enrollment.

Another enrollment uptick is projected for this fall.

At MNWest, the 4% tuition hike translates to roughly $234 more annually for a full-time student taking 30 credits. One student fee was also increased slightly.

Like SMSU, MNWest remains in strong financial health and has reported consecutive semesters of approximately 9% enrollment growth.

Both institutions consulted with student groups prior to implementing the changes. Student representatives across SMSU and MNWest campuses were given presentations about financial conditions and were reportedly supportive of the increases.

In addition to tuition revenue, both schools continue to pursue scholarship opportunities. SMSU’s Foundation awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships last year. Both schools also participate in the North Star Promise Scholarship Program, which offers free tuition to eligible Minnesota residents based on income criteria.

Recent local support has further boosted student aid. Marshall Masonic Delta Lodge #119 and Marshall VFW Post #742 have pledged annual scholarships to assist students at both institutions.

SMSU and MNWest were also recognized in the Minnesota State budget report for leveraging funds toward workforce development. SMSU is expanding academic offerings in cybersecurity, data science, and social work, while MNWest is growing its technical training programs in fields like welding and automotive technology to meet regional job demand.

Upcoming Area Events

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

Thursday, July 10th

  • Ivanhoe Community Pork Chop Feed Fundraise at Gilson Field in Ivanhoe

    • Serving from 5 to 7:30 PM or until gone

    • Free Will Donation

    • All proceeds will go to Lincoln County Relay for Life & American Cancer Society

    • Menu: Pork Chops, Baked Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Ice Cream, Pop & Water

Friday, July 11th - Sunday, July 13th
Sunday, July 13th

  • Cow Pie Bingo in Cottonwood

Thursday, July 17th
Friday, July 25th

  • Par 3 Golf Scramble Fundraiser in Cottonwood

Saturday, July 26th - Sunday, July 27th

  • The Society for the Preservation of Minneota's Heritage (SPMH) is sponsoring a special weekend to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Icelandic settlement in our area

Wednesday, August 6th

  • Poetry Bus in the evening in Granite Falls (time to be determined)

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

Tuesday, September 30th and Wednesday, October 1st

  • Tall Cop Says Stop Event - September 30, 2025 from 6:15–7:30 PM at Pipestone Performing Arts Center in Pipestone

  • Tall Cop Says Stop Event - October 1, 2025 from 6:15–7:30 PM at Marshall High School Theater in Marshall

  • RSVP by contacting Jennifer Nelson at [email protected] or 507-532-1243

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

  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group, first Wednesday of every month, 10 - 11:30 AM at the Adult Community Center in Marshall

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