Pelican Rapids Press Online

Woodpeckers, Blue jays, and chickadee birds are a few types that love to consume suet during the winter months in Minnesota.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MINNESOTA DNR

National Bird-Feeding Month: Tips for attracting birds to your...

February 19, 2026

If you enjoy watching birds flutter around your feeders this time of year, you’re not alone. Winter is peak season for backyard birdwatching—and a...

Chris LeClair, Otter Tail County Land and Resource Director, spoke to county commissioners Tuesday about the county's septic system loan program and shoreland protection efforts.

County offers financial help for septic system upgrades

February 19, 2026

The state of Minnesota, in coordination with Otter Tail County and the other 86 counties in the state, recognizes that the uncontrolled use of land...

Ask a Trooper: Know the ‘Blind Spots’ in your vehicle

February 19, 2026

Question: Can you talk about people needing to check their blind spots? I know most newer vehicles are equipped with side-view mirror warning signals, but I think it’s...

Walleye being released. PHOTO COURTESY OF MINNESOTA DNR

DNR proposes lowering walleye limit to four statewide

February 19, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing to lower the statewide inland water walleye limit from six fish to four. The new rule...

This historic site represents Old Clitherall, founded in 1865 as the first non-Native American settlement in the area that would grow from 2,000 residents in 1870 to more than 57,000 today.

Do You Remember When? From 2,000 residents to 57,000: Otter Tail...

February 19, 2026

Native Americans first to call county home 11,000 years agoNative Americans lived in this area of Minnesota long before Otter Tail County was...

PHOTO COURTESY OF MINNESOTA DNR.

Support vulnerable Minnesota wildlife via tax returns

February 19, 2026

Minnesota residents can help protect the state’s rare and vulnerable wildlife by making a donation to the Nongame Wildlife Fund when filing their...

By Tom Hintgen,
Otter Tail County Correspondent
Otter Tail County’s Community Development and Housing Department continues to connect people throughout the county with successful housing programs, workforce development, child care, business development, and other efforts.
“Housing remains foundational to county government’s ability to help attract and retain residents and workforce,” said Amy Baldwin, Otter Tail County Community Development Director, to the county board of commissioners Tuesday morning, Feb. 10, at the County Government Services Center in Fergus Falls.
The Community Development and Housing Department builds partnerships to expand housing throughout the county by seeking funding opportunities. “We take on roles that range from convener and technical advisor to project initiator and developer,” Baldwin said.
In Pelican Rapids, county government acted as the developer for the Pinewood Estates single-family housing project. This was accomplished using a model grounded in community input and strategic funding. “Local residents assumed home ownership, demonstrating the success of this approach for new housing,” Baldwin added.
Over in Battle Lake, the Lincoln workforce housing apartments were completed following support from Otter Tail County. There was also community engagement, technical assistance to secure grant funding, and direct financing to the developer.
“A strong workforce is essential to employer success and community stability,” said Baldwin to county commissioners. “Our county workforce strategy guides efforts to promote the availability of jobs in our county, help employers recruit and retain workers and create partnerships.”
Otter Tail County experienced a year of growth for the Empowered Worker Program. This is a county-initiated workforce development program that provides individualized workforce navigation services to individuals facing barriers to employment.
“We help participants identify career pathways, access training, and secure employment in household-sustaining wage jobs while building a pipeline of qualified and motivated workers for local employers,” Baldwin said. “
She said quality and affordable childcare is essential for people in order to live and work in Otter Tail County. “We supported a project that added family child care units in the city of Ottertail,” Baldwin said, “creating close to 56 new child care slots for the community and the surrounding area.”
In addition, the Community Development and Housing Department has worked alongside employers and community leaders from throughout the county to explore right-sized child care solutions that align with local needs. “Hands on technical assistance, mentorships and coordination help stabilize existing day care providers,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin emphasized to county commissioners that supporting a resilient and competitive business environment is critical to Otter Tail County’s economy. Key partners in all community development efforts include the 22 communities and 62 townships in Otter Tail County. In place is a Community Growth Partnership Grant Program.
Accomplishments
during 2025
• 336 new housing units and 54 rehabbed units added this past year; more than $87.2 million of housing investment
• $240,000 grant awarded to Otter Tail County from the state of Minnesota for child care assistance
• County delivery of more than 590 hours of technical assistance and mentorship from child care project managers to existing providers, new providers, and community partners
• County funding provided to Battle Lake, New York Mills, and Clitherall Township to support commercial rehabilitation of businesses in their communities
• Otter Tail County is working with Otter Tail Lakes Country organization to advance tourism and engage with students who are preparing to enter the workforce, and connect them to career opportunities available in Otter Tail County.

Otter Tail County adds 336 new housing units: Pelican Rapids...

February 19, 2026

Otter Tail County’s Community Development and Housing Department continues to connect people throughout the county with successful housing...

Minnesota State Moorhead hosts Music Scholarship Day Feb. 20

February 19, 2026

Minnesota State Moorhead is hosting a Music Scholarship Day on Friday, February 20, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Roland Dille Center for the Arts.Music Scholarship Day...

The Shearer’s Foods facility in Perham recently completed a settlement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, paying $37,750 in penalties for past air permit violations. After operating without a required permit since 2015, the snack manufacturer installed two new air monitors last year to track particulate matter and ensure compliance with state health standards.
PHOTO COURTESY SHEARERS.COM

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fines Shearer’s Snacks in...

February 19, 2026

Shearer’s Foods, Perham, has paid $37,750 in penalties for air permit violations following an investigation by the Minnesota Pollution Control...

It's almost time to take your fish houses off the lake! Photo Courtesy MN DNR

Fish house removal deadline nears in southern Minnesota

February 19, 2026

The deadline to remove fish houses from inland waters in the southern two-thirds of the state is approaching quickly. The Department of Natural...

Flu, RSV and cold injuries spike in winter; here's how to stay safe

February 12, 2026

Respiratory illnesses and cold-related injuries spike during winter months, posing serious health threats to rural communities where emergency...

Researchers working the shoreline as part of a groundbreaking zebra mussel study conducted by University of Minnesota. Zebra mussels are one of a number of invasive species in Otter Tail County lakes.

County gets over $460k to fight aquatic invasive species

February 12, 2026

Hearings set for food, pool, lodging ordinancesA motion by County Commissioner Sean Sullivan of Fergus Falls and seconded by Commissioner Bob...

State opens applications for beginning farmer equip. grants

February 12, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant.The program was established by the...

Young members of First Lutheran Church in Battle lake hand over a donation to Humane Society of OTC’s Executive Director, Chris Cannon after a successful fundraiser.

OTC Humane Society helps 400 animals despite space limits

February 12, 2026

At the Humane Society of Otter Tail County, your donations work hard every single day. Thanks to your support, we continue to prevent cruelty and...

The love of ice skating in communities throughout Otter Tail County is passed along from one generation to the next.

Do You Remember When? Ice skating races, warming houses defined...

February 12, 2026

Many people who grew up in Otter Tail County will never forget ice skating during the winter months at various lakes and rinks throughout the...

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