About State of the COmmunity

Backgrounds & Bio

Choosing to invest in Richmond

How they are building their company brand

How community engagement & business go together

Past, Present & Future

Creating a business voice int he community

Gilk Plumbing, Heating & AC is one of the two largest employers in Richmond, and holds the most fulltime employees. 

Main Street General is new to Richmond, after taking ownership of Wenner's Hardware, will offer insight as the "newcomers" to town.

Both are Family owned and operated companies

John Nelson, Owner

Main Street General

Wendy Gilk, Owner

Gilk Plumbing, heating & AC

Special Guest

Ben Winchester, U of M

B.A., Mathematics, Concentration in Statistics, University of Minnesota-Morris

Master's in Rural Sociology, University of Missouri-Columbia

Ben has worked in and for small towns across the Midwest since 1997 — with a focus on his home state of Minnesota. As rural sociology and evaluation educator for the center, Ben manages evaluation studies that monitor the effectiveness and outcomes of leadership, civic engagement, tourism, resident recruitment, and community economics programs for center activities. Ben also conducts research on topics relevant to community vitality. He is also analyzing rural community leadership, especially as it affects community-wide requirements to support the public sector to "keep the town running". 

• Award: Minnesota Association of Community and Leadership Education Professionals, Excellence in Research, 2012
• Member: Community Development Society, Rural Sociological Society, Minnesota Evaluation Association
• Award: Community Development Society, Current Research Award, 2017
• Award: Oklahoma State University, National Rural Renewal Research Prize, 2021

The first hour of the evening is a community social, family-friendly, and provides a great opportunity to talk with business owners, local officials and Presidents of Board of Directors for various organizations.

We also will have a Richmond coloring station, giant tic tac toe and more fun activities geared to kiddos. 

A free, raffle bucket courtesy of Richmond Legion. See prizes below.

50/50 Raffle that supports Richmond Civic and Commerce efforts in community activities and supporting businesses. 

Fun door prizes for all!