Fairmont’s Feature on My Town Brightens the Community While Bringing New Opportunities

It has been almost five months since Fairmont was featured on My Town, a YouTube series by Cory Hepola. The video already has more than 118,000 views and has sparked discussion about this community across the United States. Footage has even been shared on local news outlets in other parts of Minnesota, further showcasing the community, industry, and beauty of Fairmont.

“The coverage and response have been everything we had hoped they would be,” says Ned Koppen, Economic Development Coordinator at the Fairmont Economic Development Authority (FEDA). “The comments have been overwhelmingly positive.”

Koppen became aware of the My Town series when season one debuted in 2024 and immediately reached out to be featured in season two. FEDA worked closely with Visit Fairmont and Fairmont Area Schools to host the production crew and make filming a reality.

“We think we have a really cool community and want to share it with others,” says Koppen.

The episode premiered in mid-December and included a live, in-person premiere for residents in downtown Fairmont.

Even though the initial launch has passed, the City of Fairmont continues to benefit from the My Town coverage and other news features that have followed.

My Town Will Boost Regional and National Tourism

My Town has such a large audience, and the Fairmont feature garnered so many views, that the city expects to see a boost in tourism this coming year. New visitors to Fairmont will help the small business community and increase city funds through sales and lodging taxes. However, increased tourism could also have a longer-term impact, leading to more people moving to the community.

“It might only take one visit for people to realize this is a landing spot for them,” says Koppen. “Some of the tourists who stop in this year could be residents next year.”

Studies show that visiting a community was the primary trigger for 14% of people to relocate. This means that tourism is a primary reason for moving, along with job transfers or wanting to be closer to family.  

The goal of the My Town video was to raise awareness about Fairmont and to encourage people to visit the community. This could lead to future population growth.

My Town Was Also Good for the Community

While the My Town feature was designed to reach external audiences and promote Fairmont on a national level, it also benefited residents. The in-person premier was well received as residents saw how positively their community was featured. The My Town team did a great job highlighting why people live in Fairmont.

“It’s a great reminder of all the good things we have in the community and all the great things going on here,” says Koppen.

Fairmont residents have a lot to be proud of, and this video allowed the community to pause and reflect on why they live here – and why they choose rural life.

The Video Can Be Used for Business Attraction

While the My Town feature will be invaluable for tourism and talent attraction, it also has the potential to lead to business development in the coming years. Entrepreneurs can bring their companies here and expand into small to medium-sized businesses. Larger companies might also consider Fairmont because of the strong workforce, elite school district, and existing industries.

“Our goal is to use this video to support local businesses and help them thrive and expand,” says Koppen. “This could mean bringing in new customers or attracting other companies to partner and work with.

FEDA helps companies across all industries and sizes that want to succeed in Fairmont. This includes businesses moving to the area or companies preparing to take the next steps toward growth.

“FEDA can welcome in businesses on the front end, and then continue as a partner to assist with permitting, utilities, and other essential steps to help companies open their doors.”

New and expanding businesses can create more opportunities for residents, including diverse career options and ladders for growth.

Check Out the My Town Feature and Get to Know Fairmont

If you haven’t seen the My Town episode on Fairmont, it’s worth watching. Meet the Bacon Capital of the USA and get to know our community. If you would like to learn more about Fairmont, plan a visit this year. There are plenty of things to do and places to explore.

Fairmont is a wonderful place to live and is prepared for growth. Contact FEDA to discuss the business community and opportunities for new industries in the area. Whether you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or future resident, we can’t wait to welcome you home.