For Immediate Release – October 9, 2023

Hermantown Hires First Fire Chief of New Department

Zach Graves Set to Lead Fire Department within the Department of Public Safety

Hermantown, Minn. – Zach Graves has been hired as the Fire Chief in Hermantown as the City continues evolving from a volunteer fire department model to a new department with two full-time members and a growing number of part-time employees.

“It is both a huge honor and very exciting to be able to help lead and design the new Hermantown Fire Department,” said Graves. “We have had decades of incredible volunteers helping keep our community safe, and that’s a great foundation to build our next department.”

For more than 70 years, the Hermantown Volunteer Fire Department has served the community. As part of this process, the HVFD has taken multiple steps this year to dissolve and make way for a new model.

“We all welcome Zach to this new full-time position with the City of Hermantown, knowing that his extensive background in firefighting and emergency medical services will bring leadership and teamwork to our new Fire Department,” said Mayor Wayne Boucher. “This new department will allow us to take the next step in expanding quality emergency services to answer the increasing needs of our growing community.”

Along with Graves, the City recently opened the second full-time fire position for hire, intending to have a Fire Inspector/Training Officer in place in early November.

“We worked through a thoughtful process to determine the best model for Hermantown’s public safety needs and have the best person to lead our new Fire Department,” said Jim Crace, Hermantown’s Chief of Police. “We feel really good about moving our long-serving, dedicated volunteer department in this direction. Many of those volunteers will still be answering the same calls with the same incredible service they always have, and we can better recruit, retain, and incentivize our part-time firefighters.”

As part of the departmental changes, Crace also moves into the Director of Public Safety role, which is the organizational structure overseeing both the Police Department and Fire Department.

“We know we can build off our synergy, as both departments have always been focused on Hermantown’s safety,” said Crace. “There are efficiencies to be gained, both in terms of day-to-day efforts and long-term planning, that will benefit Hermantown greatly.”

The Hermantown Volunteer Fire Department is set to formally disband at the close of the year. Although that change is significant, most of the current volunteers will compose the initial members of the new Hermantown Fire Department on January 1, 2024.

“In some ways, this is a monumental change because of how central the Hermantown Volunteer Fire Department has been in our community,” said Graves. “In other ways, residents may not notice any difference in how our work is performed following the change – which is part of our goal. This shift, though, will allow us to continue to evolve more quickly to meet the needs of Hermantown as it continues to grow.”

Beyond the two full-time positions, the change allows better pay, retirement, and scheduling options for the part-time firefighters. As volunteer departments struggle to attract and retain viable numbers, this was a critical factor in Hermantown’s move to the new model.

“The fact that we can better pay our part-time firefighters and build schedules that let them have full lives while still providing maximum safety for the community is a huge win,” said Crace. “This will help us recruit new members to our team, and we know this model is scalable should our community continue to grow.”

Information regarding the additional new position – Fire Inspector/Training Officer – can be found on the City’s website at www.hermantownmn.com/careers.

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For more information, contact Joe Wicklund, Communications & Community Engagement Director, City of Hermantown, at [email protected] or 218.729.3614.

For Immediate Release – August 3, 2023

Stretch of Stebner Road Set for Temporary Closure 

Hermantown, Minn. – A stretch of Stebner Road in Hermantown that handles significant traffic will be closed next week.

Beginning Monday, August 7, Stebner Road will be closed to traffic between Morris Thomas Road and Hermantown Road while residential sanitary sewer work is performed. This closure is expected to last through Thursday, August 11. Residents of this area will have access to their homes during this project.

Both the City of Hermantown and St. Louis County are performing additional important road improvement projects in and around Hermantown, so motorists should use caution when choosing other routes during the Stebner Road closure.

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For more information, contact: Joe Wicklund, Communications & Community Engagement Director, City of Hermantown, at [email protected] or 218.729.3614.

For Immediate Release – July 18, 2023

Hermantown Set for Return of SummerFest 

Hermantown, Minn. – After a several-year hiatus, the City of Hermantown is excited about the return of SummerFest. The event, long-coordinated by dedicated volunteers spearheaded by Bob Swanstrom, has become a homecoming of sorts for Hermantown residents, graduates of Hermantown Community Schools, friends, and families. Highlighted by the Fran Hubert Memorial Parade, several daily community lunches, and a series of other family-friendly activities, the last official SummerFest was able to be held in 2019.

“The pandemic and its trailing impact haven’t made it possible for the passionate, dedicated volunteers to pull off a full-scale SummerFest since canceling in 2020,” said Joe Wicklund, Communications Director for the City of Hermantown. “While there have been a handful of events in the past few years, it is exciting to have the full scope of events back on the calendar.”

SummerFest kicks off Wednesday, July 19, with a 9 a.m. event at the Hermantown Community Learning Center, as Proctor-Hermantown Community Education will lead participants of all ages in a bubble-fun experience. The event continues through a musical worship event at Faith Baptist Church on Sunday, July 23, at 6 p.m.

The full schedule for the 2023 Hermantown SummerFest can be found here.

Summer Fest Schedule

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For more information, contact: Joe Wicklund, Communications Director, City of Hermantown, at [email protected] or 218.729.3614.

For Immediate Release – February 14, 2023

Hermantown and NorthStar Ford To Announce Arena Naming Partnership

Hermantown, Minn. – The City of Hermantown and NorthStar Ford are set to announce their naming partnership Tuesday as another significant step forward in the Community Recreation Initiative.

All three components of Hermantown’s Community Recreation Initiative – an additional sheet of indoor ice, a reimagined Fichtner Park, and the completion of the city-wide trail system – were passed by significant margins in the November 2022 election. The Community Recreation Initiative is primarily funded by a half-percent increase in sales tax in Hermantown, which will go into effect on April 1, 2023.

“Creating a top-notch facility opens up so many more opportunities for community connection, as well as aiding in the growth and development of our young Hermantown residents,” said John Mulder, Hermantown’s City Administrator. “A facility of this nature requires significant private support from the community along with the voter-approved sales tax – and the generosity of NorthStar Ford is truly making what was once a dream become a reality.”

Construction on the new arena is slated to begin in 2024. It will also feature upgrades to Hermantown’s current arena, greater accessibility overall at the entire site, and positive changes to the several outdoor rinks.

“Many community members have put in long hours over the years getting to this point, and the voters made the need for additional access clear last November,” said Mulder. “So, it is truly exciting and important to be able to say that NorthStar Ford Arena is coming soon.”

A pre-game ceremony and celebration will be held Tuesday evening as the Hermantown Hawks host Grand Rapids in a key varsity boys hockey contest set for 7 p.m.

The City is also coordinating efforts with the state legislature to secure additional bonding to support the new and upgraded portions of the site. Additionally, groups such as the Hermantown Amateur Hockey Association are also working on other fundraising opportunities to maximize the impact of the new opportunity.

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For more information, contact: Joe Wicklund, Communications Director, City of Hermantown at [email protected] or 218.729.3614.

For Immediate Release – February 6, 2023

Hermantown Swears in Fifth City Councilor

Ellie Jones fills the seat left vacant with Grant Hauschild’s departure.

Hermantown, Minn. – Ellie Jones was sworn in as the newest member of the Hermantown City Council Monday. Jones joins as the fifth and final member of Hermantown’s City Council following an application and interview process necessitated by Grant Hauschild’s election as a Minnesota State Senator in November of 2022.

Hermantown’s City Council gained two new members in that same election, as Brian LeBlanc and Andy Hjelle garnered the most votes in a four-candidate race. The duo replaced Gloria Nelson, who chose not to run in 2022, and Natalie Peterson, who resigned in late 2022 as she moved out of Hermantown.

“We are excited not only to have a full council now but also to have a strong mix of experienced elected officials and newcomers,” said John Mulder, Hermantown City Administrator. “We have had strong leadership on our council for many years, no matter who filled those seats, and I am certain we will feel the same way about Ellie.”

Jones earned selection from a six-candidate process involving applications to the position and an interview with the current city council.

“It is an exciting time in our community. We’ve had continued growth as families and businesses choose to make Hermantown their hometown, and we received resounding support from voters for the Community Recreation Initiative and its projects,” said Mayor Wayne Boucher. “Ellie, with her background in business and as a Hermantown parent, will be a key addition to our council as we move forward.”

Along with Boucher, Jones, LeBlanc, and Hjelle, John Geissler rounds out the Hermantown City Council. Boucher and Geissler have served in an elected capacity in Hermantown for more than a dozen years.

Jones will complete the remainder of Hauschild’s term, which runs through the end of 2024.

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For more information, contact: Joe Wicklund, Communications & Community Engagement Director, City of Hermantown, at [email protected] or 218.729.3614.

For Immediate Release – January 4, 2023 

Hermantown Swears in New City Councilors

Hauschild’s state senate win leads to vacancy

Hermantown, Minn. – The Hermantown City Council opened the new year Tuesday with two new members, as recently-elected Andy Hjelle and Brian LeBlanc were given the Oath of Office.

LeBlanc received more than 2,200 votes in last November’s election, while Hjelle garnered more than 1,800. The duo replaced Gloria Nelson, who chose not to run in the last election, and Natalie Peterson, who resigned in late 2022 as part of her moving out of Hermantown.

“It is always exciting to have new councilors bringing their leadership and new perspectives to the City’s team,” said John Mulder, City Administrator. “We have a great depth and breadth of opportunity in Hermantown right now, so Brian and Andy will be crucial in helping guide our community’s next steps.”

As the new pair joined the council, Grant Hauschild’s expected resignation became official this week. Hauschild, who had served on Hermantown’s City Council since 2020, won the region’s state senate seat in the November election and began his first term in St. Paul.

“In a short time, Grant made a big impact as a member of the City Council,” said Mulder. “We have no doubt that will continue to be the case as he represents Hermantown and the surrounding area as a strong and dynamic state senator.”

The remainder of Hauschild’s term, which runs through the end of 2024, will be filled through an appointment by Hermantown’s current City Council following an application process. Individuals interested in serving need to be at least 21 years of age and have resided in Hermantown at least 30 days prior to their appointment. Applications can be found at www.hermantownmn.com/citycouncil or by visiting the Governmental Services Building at 5105 Maple Grove Road in Hermantown. Applications must be returned to the Governmental Services Building by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 23.

New City Councilors Andy Hjelle (left) and Brian LeBlanc as they take their Oath of Office Tuesday, January 3.

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For more information, contact: Joe Wicklund, Communications & Community Engagement Director, City of Hermantown, at [email protected] or 218.729.3614.