Author: Mary Hillman

Minnesota Property Tax Refunds

Minnesota Property Tax Refunds

A great “did you know?” from the Big Stone County Assessor’s Office! Each year millions of dollars in property tax refunds go unclaimed by taxpayers. Homeowners who have declared a house to be their homestead, or primary residence, can receive an annual property tax credit 

Ortonville High School Theater

Ortonville High School Theater

What a fun evening!  Walking into the Ortonville School Auditorium doors to find the old ticket booth was back in commission!  Volunteers (school board members and spouses to mention a few) have been painting, wallpapering, and generally updating the entrance area – and what a 

Fishing Big Stone Lake Videos

Fishing Big Stone Lake Videos

We’ve gathered some fun fishing videos that have been taken recently on Big Stone Lake.  We’ll keep adding videos at the top of this page as new filming is posted – like this first one – 2022 TV Episode by Fishing the Midwest!  Enjoy the outdoors, here on the MNbump!

 

 

LINKS:

Lodging
Housing
Jobs

check out our Facebook page for a steady stream of the latest!

This is Ortonville via Video!

This is Ortonville via Video!

As the Ortonville MNbump Connector, I’m sharing activities from this community – and taking videos is my favorite hobby so I grab my camera anytime I am headed to school activities or community events.  All the videos are posted immediately on our Facebook page and 

Ortonville Trojan Wrestling

Ortonville Trojan Wrestling

This past Thursday (February 10th) was parents & senior night for the Ortonville Trojan Wrestling team.  It was an emotional evening for Coach Eustice as he acknowledged the work that these students have put into this sport throughout the year after they were announced along 

What Businesses were Checked on Website last week?

What Businesses were Checked on Website last week?

MNbump Connection!  MNbump is a Big Stone Area Growth Initiative to connect our residents to resources from our website and we use Facebook for an interactive connection to our residents and those living away to see what is happening, what is new, and check out a few highlights from events that recently happened (and/or Facebook LIVE during the activities!)

Our businesses and organizations are easy to find on on website – and should ALL be listed.  This includes home businesses.  So if you notice your business is not listed, send us a message and we will get your information on the website (it’s free)

Here is the list of businesses & organizations that were checked on our website last week – in the order of most viewed to least viewed:

Lingonberry’s Pastry and Coffee Shop

Ortonville Public School District #2903

Berkner Pizza

Big Stone Area Memory Loss Connection

Ortonville Mercantile & Gallery (OMG)

Flat Hills Arena, Inc.

Bonnie’s Hometown Grocery

Johnson & Roggenbuck

Living Hope Fellowship Assembly of God

Ortonville Trap Range

Anderson Tax & Accounting

Ortonville Flower Shop

Main Street Industries  Training Center, Inc.

Prairie Five Rides

Let’em Buck Apparel & Supply

Big Stone Ag

Mallard Point Lodge

Pheasants Forever

Hair Classics

Big Stone Lake Snow Riders

One More Time – Beardsley

Ortonville Economic Development Authority

Prairie Five Community Action

Riverside Park Campground

Clinton City Government

Lingonberry Lodge

Big Stone Area Growth

Main Street Industries & Training

Moose Lodge #407

Alley Cat Bowling

Graceville Bar & Lounge

Chris Karsky Painting

Artichoke Lake Baptist Church

Big G’s Pub & Grub

Graceville Country Market

Hartman’s Super Valu Foods

Headquarters Bar

R & C Reliable Repair

Cutting Edge Engraving

John’s Body Shop

2nd Street Cafe and Coffeehouse

2021 Top Connections on our website was our COVID Resources posts/pages

A few of the top website check-ins in 2021 were:

our Calendar, Employment, Looking for Housing

And our most viewed website post was “The Locals Recommend… We asked, “What would you recommend for people to see/do if they had one day in Big Stone County” and our residents responded with this list. So, utilizing the map above, we will list their recommendations starting in the southern part of Big Stone County and ending at the northern end.  LINK TO POST

 

VOTE!  Connecting Big Stone County – Projects

VOTE! Connecting Big Stone County – Projects

VOTING HAS ENDED Thank you to all that took part in the Big Stone County Blandin Broadband Community visioning process by taking the registration survey, attending the Vision Meeting, and/or attending the Project Brainstorm Meeting. The community’s collective input will be helpful as the Steering 

Annual Events & Youth – 2021 Recent Reflections

Annual Events & Youth – 2021 Recent Reflections

As we head into one of our busiest event weekends, we thought it would be nice to reflect on some 2021 highlights.  And make sure to watch for videos, pictures & highlights from the upcoming Christmas events!  (And a Facebook Live of the Ortonville Lighted 

Starting or Expanding a Business in Big Stone County?

Starting or Expanding a Business in Big Stone County?

A great place to start is a call to Lisa Graphentine of Big Stone Area Growth (web link) – our county-wide economic development group!  Phone:  320-839-6155 or email[email protected]

The County also has two community economic development authorities:

Graceville (web link), Scott Bauer at 320-748-7911 or email at [email protected]

Ortonville (web link), Vicki Oakes at 320-839-6155 or [email protected]

 

And, reminder… working from home in all rural areas of Big Stone County couldn’t be easier with our fiber-to-premise that was installed!


If you’d like to check out a few questions before contacting any of the above, here are a few great links!

MN Employment & Economic Development – Starting a Business
This link covers most questions you’d have – Frequently & Recently Asked Questions, Before You Start, Organizing a Business, Business Plans, Accounting, Business Finance Basics, Licenses and Permits, Insurance, Business Taxes, Basics for Employers, Intellectual Property, Management Basics, Business Guidebooks

MN Employment & Economic Development – Financing a Business

Minnesota Small Business Development Centers
A statewide network of Small Business Development Centers provides the professional expertise and guidance that every small business owner needs to flourish in today’s competitive and ever-changing business world.  The Minnesota Small Business Development Centers are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
We would be in the Southwest Regional Center  – To sign-up for their free assistance/consultations:  Website & Select “Request Services” located in the top right of the page.

Connecting Big Stone County Up to $100,000

Connecting Big Stone County Up to $100,000

Vibrant and smart rural communities are connected communities. Abundant and robust access to the Internet, and the skills necessary to take full advantage of this access, are essential as Big Stone County seeks to compete and thrive in an ever more connected world. We have