Civil Municipal - April 2024

that you may never want to leave. Agriculture is the town’s economic anchor, where the county dominates the state of Minnesota’s production of hogs, corn, soybeans, and cattle. Tourism adds a boost, too, as it is impossible to mention Fairmont without noting the chain of five lakes–Lake George, Sisseton Lake, Budd Lake, Hall Lake, and Amber Lake – around which the town is built. Each body of water offers a well of peace – mini sanctuaries woven throughout the quiet core of the Fairmont community. Whether it’s a round of disc golf with friends or a sunny afternoon fishing off the dock for perch, the natural surroundings add serenity to everyday life in Fairmont and provide an escape from the rumble of nearby highways or the roar of the local airport. “We’ve got a lot to offer from a quality of life and lifestyle standpoint, as well as the economic assets,” says Ned Koppen, Coordinator at Fairmont Economic Development Authority. Fairmont isn’t a bedroom community; this place has more to offer. Curiosity and economic opportunity drift through the country air. And, right now, this small but mighty town’s outlook is more promising than ever before. AN AGRICULTURAL POWERHOUSE Like many other regions in Southern Minnesota, Martin County’s low rolling hills and dotted lakes and ponds make the area perfect for agriculture. Pork is Fairmont’s main export. Martin County produces more pork than any other municipality in the state of Minnesota and the third-most in the entire United States. With over 150 hog farms, the area has been labeled the “Bacon Capital of the USA,” a memorable title for a primed-and-polished agriculture setup that heavily stimulates the local economy. Thanks to pork production, there are thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of bacon coming out of Martin County, but that’s not all. “Because there’s a lot of pork production, we’re 81 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 04 FAIRMONT, MN