Successful Grand Opening of New Willmar Office
It was a beautiful day all around as members of the Willmar community came out to celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of ADC’s new downtown office.
After months of renovations (which can be seen here), ADC staff, Willmar community leaders, and residents of the region were eager to take a tour of this gorgeous and state-of-the-art facility now ready for operations.
A full block of Litchfield Avenue was blocked off to begin the festivities with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony and Community Gathering at the front of the building. The Ribbon Ceremony was well attended by Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and served to celebrate ADC’s recent membership within the Chamber. Following this ceremony was a series of remarks from ADC staff and leaders of the community.
Executive Director, Hussein Samatar, spoke about the challenges facing the community as a whole, and the role that ADC hopes to play in bringing strength and wealth to not only the new American community but the entire region of Minnesota to be served by this office. He remarked about the obstacles that have faced every new immigrant population, but assured those in attendance that like those before it, this group will be no different in making a better life for future generations.
Abdirizak Mahboub, the new manager of this facility for ADC, then remarked about his future plans in uniting the community and strengthening networks throughout the region for collaborative successes. He also mentioned his excitement to be moving to this city with his family, who will be soon joining him from Africa.
Community leaders who took the stage for this event included Willmar Lakes Chamber of Commerce President, Ken Warner, who mentioned the growing relationship that ADC is cultivating with the business community, and how pleased he is that the African Development Center will have such a strong presence in this area. Additionally, Willmar President of the Bremer Bank, MaryAnnDoyle took the stage to speak on both the past relationships and efforts that ADC has had in the Willmar region the past years, as well as the new opportunities that this new facility will provide in enhancing these efforts.
Following the Community Gathering, ADC opened the doors to this office and accepted a steady stream of local residents to tour this beautiful facility until the closing of the Open House at 7pm.
