Otter Tail County commissioners and leadership staff traveled the western side of the county on a recent tour designed to connect county leadership with the communities, projects, and people they serve. The group made many stops across the county, with a dedicated stop in Vergas to hear directly from city leaders.
The tour, organized to highlight the county’s Economic Growth and Community Investment (EGCI) team’s work, covered ground from Fergus Falls to Pelican Rapids and into the Vergas and Dent areas. County commissioners Bob Lahman (District 4), Dan Bucholz (District 1), Wayne Johnson (District 2), Kurt Mortenson (District 3) and Sean Sullivan (District 5) joined staff from across county departments for the tour.
The group’s first stops included the Fergus Falls Transfer Station, where leaders got an update on construction and demolition planning, followed by a tour of the County Highway 1 Garage in Fergus Falls. Parks and Trails Director Kevin Fellbaum briefed commissioners on the future of the Glacial Edge Trail and the plans to extend the trail network into Maplewood State Park, which would connect the city of Fergus Falls to a broader regional trail system.
“These tours give us a real look at what’s working and what still needs attention,” said Commissioner Sullivan. “Our job is to make sure every dollar the county invests is a dollar that works for our residents.”
County Investment in Community Growth
Nick Leonard, deputy county administrator and leader of Otter Tail County’s Economic Growth and Community Investment team, said the tour format is intentional. Getting commissioners and staff into communities and viewing firsthand ongoing projects and future needs helps shape how the county approaches regional solutions.
In Pelican Rapids, the group viewed the Colony Apartments and Pinewood Estates from two Community Development Authority housing projects that have added new residential options in a city with a proven housing need.
“Otter Tail County covers over 2,000 square miles,” shared Commissioner Bucholz. “Tours like this are how we stay connected to what’s happening all over the county.”
Vergas: A Small City with Big Momentum
The tour’s highlight stop was in the City of Vergas, where the group gathered at Long Lake City Beach for a working lunch with city leadership. City leaders shared updates on housing development projects that have added units to a tight local market, progress from downtown businesses that have opened or expanded in recent years, and a community-led effort to identify sustainable child care solutions for area families and employers.
“What’s happening in Vergas is an example of what’s possible when a small community decides to invest in itself — it all points to a city that is building for the long term,” commented Commissioner Johnson. “Otter Tail County wants to be a partner in that work.”