В Медфорде торжественно открыли обновленную заправку, получившую федеральное финансирование для конкуренции с крупными сетями

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Aug. 7 at Anhorn’s Gas & Tire in Medford to celebrate the completion of a renovation project that represents the community’s goal to keep small business competitive with larger corporations. Anhorn’s third-generation owner, John Anhorn, highlighted the business’s longevity and how the project may help assure the business is passed down to his children. “My grandparents Tom and Olga started this little business here back in 1949. It was a small little 14-foot-wide store,” Anhorn said. “This community has supported the Anhorn family and the Anhorn family supported the community. I appreciate this so much. This allows this business to continue through a third generation and possibly pass it down to a fourth.” Anhorn thanked the individuals involved in facilitating the effort, including Sen. John Jasinski and Rep. Tom Sexton, who were in attendance. “I appreciate this group that helped me in the planning, funding and construction phases of this massive $900,000 project for a small business,” Anhorn said. Anhorn expressed gratitude for roughly $600,000 in biofuels and infrastructure grants he received through the Higher Blends Initiative and Infrastructure Program and Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation, which made the nearly $1 million project feasible. The revamped gas station now has tanks and updated pumps through which higher ethanol-content fuel, E15, can be sold, allowing the small family-owned gas station to compete with its larger corporate neighbors. Sen. John Jasinski, R-Faribault, addressed the assembled crowd. “What Anhorn’s does for Medford is phenomenal,” Jasinski said. “They are the backbone of this community and have been for many years. We funded this program to help stations like this to compete with Casey’s and Kwik Trip to keep small business in the community. Often costs are just so exorbitant that it puts small businesses in a position where they can’t compete. This program allows a 50-plus-year business to survive.” Rep. Tom Sexton, R-Waseca, was involved in securing funding and found it difficult to limit his praises to a single page when writing his letter of recommendation. “John asked me to write a letter of recommendation and once I found out more about him, it was a page and a half long. My staff told me to get it down to one page but he and his family do so much and are essential to this community. In the end it was in micro font and it was difficult to express in one page,” Sexton said. “However, it paid off because it keeps them here and that’s exactly what we want. We want our businesses to stay here and thrive.” Medford Mayor Danny Thomas expressed his gratitude toward Anhorn’s as both a business and a community hub. “I’ve seen the three generations over the years at this place grow. From when Tom had it to Bob and then to John. I was teasing John’s son, Tom, this morning, ‘come on, boy, you’ve got to be the fourth generation,’” Thomas said. “I remember days when we used to come and play foosball and cards after school here. It’s a place for the community to get together. So, we supported you and you supported us. We really appreciate it.”