Fairmont, Minnesota, Featured in Season 2 of My Town YouTube Series

Fairmont, Minnesota, was selected as one of eight towns featured in My Town, a YouTube series where host Cory Hepola explores rural communities and why people choose to live in them. The series has more than three thousand subscribers, and the first season eclipsed 2.1 million views across 44 states and 40 countries in 10 months of streaming, making this feature a significant opportunity for people across the United States to learn about Fairmont.

“This is a phenomenal story,” says Hepola. “There’s going to be so many people who have never heard of Fairmont who will want to check it out after the episode goes live.”

Season two is set to debut on November 2, with a local watch party in Fairmont on December 13th at 2:00 pm at the Fairmont Jr.-Sr. High School Performing Arts Center. The Fairmont episode debuts on December 21st.

The process of creating a 25-minute episode started more than 18 months ago and involved countless members of the Fairmont community. Everyone came together to make the footage and story feel flawless. 

Months of Planning Led to Three Days of Filming 

Immediately after season one of My Town debuted, Ned Koppen, Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Fairmont, started calling Hepola. He knew that Fairmont deserved to be featured and wanted to apply for season two immediately. When Hepola opened applications for the next season in October 2024, Fairmont’s file was already on his desk.

“We wanted to provide an outsider’s perspective of Fairmont while still talking to several people who live there,” says Hepola. “I live near Minneapolis, but I see Fairmont pop up all the time in the news. You hear about its football, robotics, arts, and other activities happening in the area. This made us ask: how can a town this size be so successful in everything?”

Hepola and Koppen, along with partners from Visit Fairmont and Fairmont Area Schools, spent six months finalizing the film schedule to cover everything Fairmont has to offer. In addition to listening to the Fairmont community, the My Town team did its own research to better understand the region. What started with 100 ideas was narrowed down to three key storylines. The team at My Town then spent three days filming in Fairmont, moving from one locale to another, and then spent months editing the footage. 

“Martin County residents know that Fairmont is a beautiful town with a lot to offer, and we’re excited to show it off,” says Koppen. “We are so thankful for the team at My Town for showcasing Fairmont and the community members who helped tell our story.” 

Fairmont Balances Agriculture, Education, and Business

Fairmont is the Bacon Capital of the United States. It is the largest pork producer in Minnesota and the third-largest in the country. Agriculture is celebrated in the region, starting with 101 painted hog statues across Fairmont. However, Martin County is successful because the large pork industry works closely with the school district and local businesses in the area. 

“Successful towns like Fairmont support each other during the good times and hard times,” says Hepola. “Problems are never siloed off, and you see this collaboration in Fairmont.”

Fairmont’s episode introduces viewers to the team at Hugoson Pork, a family farm that has operated since 1881. It then dives into Fairmont Area Schools' career and technical education investments, highlighting partnerships with local agricultural firms and companies. The final part introduces Fairmont’s business community by going behind the scenes at Kahler Automation. 

The local schools collaborate with the agriculture and business communities, while family farms and locally owned manufacturers invest in the next generation of Fairmont residents. Each part of the community leans in to build each other up. 

A Community Mindset Makes Fairmont Attractive

The continued investment in the school system keeps Fairmont in the news for everything from winning sports tournaments to participating in robotics and arts showcases. This investment also attracts new families to the region. Teachers want to grow their careers in Fairmont because they feel supported by the administrators and community. Families want to move to Fairmont because of the quality of education.

The schools serve as a beacon for the community while creating a workforce for local businesses. New families in the area make it easier for companies to fill positions. When students want to stay in the area, they seek job training and apprenticeship opportunities with local firms.

“The high school isn’t just a building, it’s the heartbeat of the community,” says Hepola. “This isn’t just a place to educate kids, it’s a center shaping Fairmont’s future.”

Not every student who graduates from Fairmont Senior High School will stay in Martin County. However, if more students stay (and other families come), the community can continue to create new opportunities and make this region a wonderful place to live.   

Catch Fairmont on My Town to Explore This Community

Fairmont is a wonderful place to live, whether you are looking to move to Minnesota or are exploring rural communities across the United States. Check out Fairmont on My Town and meet the people who call Martin County home. There’s more than meets the eye in this small town with plenty to offer for new residents and multi-generational Minnesotans alike.