dgau@marshallindependent.com
MARSHALL The end is in sight for Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions, and how quickly it comes will depend partly on how fast Minnesotans get vaccinated for the virus, Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday.
Walz unveiled a three-step plan for ending limits on outdoor and indoor gatherings, bar and restaurant restrictions, and the state mask mandate. The end of mask requirements will come by July 1, or as soon as 70% of eligible Minnesotans are vaccinated.
“We can make it happen,” Walz said Thursday. He noted that Minnesota is only about 473,000 doses away from having 70% vaccination.
Most of the restrictions affecting local businesses like bars and restaurants will be gone by the end of the month. But while it’s a positive thing, some local businesspeople said it’s not likely to have a big immediate impact for them.
dgau@marshallindependent.com
MARSHALL Â Part of building a strong community is encouraging leadership and getting people involved, Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce president Brad Gruhot said. With those goals in mind, the Marshall Area Chamber is bringing back the Marshall Leadership Academy program. Starting this fall, participants will learn about different areas of Marshall’s community and economy, and get hands-on experience working on a community project.
The idea behind the Leadership Academy is to get some new people involved in the Marshall community, as well as to retain potential community leaders, so “They feel like they’re part of the community,” said MACC marketing director Erin Raveling.
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Photo by Deb Gau
The banquet room at Bello Cucina in Marshall normally holds 48 people, said manager Sarah Marczak. However, with social distancing requirements tables have been spaced far apart. Not being able to hold special events has hurt restaurants and other venues. Marczak said looser restrictions on receptions and social gatherings is a positive step.
MARSHALL Â Looser COVID-19 restrictions are on the way for Minnesota businesses and social gatherings. But while that’s good news for local bars and restaurants, some are still left wondering when they’ll be able to go back to normal.
“We still need a plan. Our restaurants and event places need to know when they can be open 100%,” Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce President Brad Gruhot said Friday.
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Photos by Deb Gau
While the start of the COVID-19 pandemic raised scary questions for her business, Nettieâs owner Jennifer Griebel said she has gotten through the past year with support from customers and assistance like grant funding. Griebel said one of the current challenges she faces is wholesale supply shortages in for decor and gift items.
MARSHALL Â At this time last year Minnesota was just beginning to fight COVID-19, with measures like a stay-at-home order and closures of a wide variety of businesses. Many people were asking what happened next, including small business owners.
“It was really scary, because you just didn’t know what you should do,” said Jennifer Griebel, owner of Nettie’s in Marshall. And even after small stores like Nettie’s were allowed to re-open, she said, “You didn’t know if customers would come back.”
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MARSHALL The Marshall area community needs a strong workforce, and building it is going to take teamwork, said presenters at Monday’s Marshall School Board meeting.
Representatives from the Marshall school district, the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council told school board members about the progress they’ve made on expanding career and technical education (CTE) in Marshall Public Schools.
“It’s taken us some time, but we’re really getting places,” said Beth Ritter, director of teaching and learning at MPS.
One path the group is pursuing is to have a Work & Learn Coordinator help connect schools and students with learning opportunities from area employers.