The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau brought together civic, business and community leaders Wednesday, April 8, for its annual State of the Community luncheon at the Hastings Golf Club, where attendees heard updates on the city, the school district and the future of Hastings.
This year’s event centered on the theme of collaboration, with speakers repeatedly emphasizing that Hastings’ continued success depends on strong partnerships between local government, schools, businesses and residents. Addresses were delivered by Hastings Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp Herman and Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender, followed by a panel discussion featuring city and school leaders.
Chamber Board Chair Amy Fox welcomed attendees and thanked sponsor Dakota Electric Association for supporting the event. She also recognized elected officials and community leaders in attendance.
Fox said one of Hastings’ greatest strengths is the collaboration between local businesses, the city and the school district.
“When these partners work together, everyone benefits,” she said. “Businesses gain access to a skilled and educated workforce, the city grows through economic vitality, and our schools are empowered with the resources and support needed to expand opportunities for students.”

Superintendent highlights student success, workforce readiness
In her first State of the Community address since becoming superintendent, Wehrkamp Herman said her first year in Hastings has been “a wonderful start” and outlined district priorities centered on student outcomes, partnerships and preparing students for life after graduation.
She described the district’s strategic plan, built around the core purpose: “We care, we empower, we achieve,” noting that “students are at the heart of all we do.”
Every decision made in the district, she said, is focused on student achievement.
Wehrkamp Herman devoted much of her remarks to Hastings’ growing Pathways program, which connects coursework, career exploration and real-world experience. She praised the business community for helping make the initiative successful.
“When our kids get out into your business, they get to see what the real world looks like,” she said. “It lets them understand maybe what they want to do — or even not want to do.”
The district recently developed a new Pathways guide showing course progressions, possible occupations and projected earnings so students can better envision career opportunities.
She also introduced the district’s “Skills for Success” framework — a set of transferable skills such as communication, collaboration and problem-solving that staff aim to teach in all subject areas.
“We know that you train your employees to do their work,” she told those in attendance. “Our job is to prepare those students — your future workforce — so that they can learn those skills.”
Wehrkamp Herman highlighted several district accomplishments, including the acquisition of an Anatomage Table through the Ruth and George Doffing Charitable Fund. The high-tech tool allows students to study anatomy, disease processes and advanced science concepts.
She said Hastings is believed to be the first school district in Minnesota to have the technology.
The superintendent also noted STEM instruction is now offered weekly in all elementary schools and announced a $15,000 grant from the St. Croix Valley Foundation to restore prairie habitat on the Kennedy Elementary property, creating additional outdoor learning opportunities.
Wehrkamp Herman said student belonging remains a major focus, pointing to Link Crew mentors at the high school and WEB leaders at the middle school who help younger students transition into new schools.
She also thanked the city for partnering with the district to provide a second school resource officer.
“This not only helps our schools with safety, but it actually helps our community,” she said. “Those relationships they build in schools get out into the community and further impact families’ lives.”
She concluded by thanking the community for its continued support.
“We know that we’re preparing the next workforce, and it matters to us,” Wehrkamp Herman said. “But we also know that we prepare the whole child.”

Mayor outlines city progress
Fasbender followed with a wide-ranging address focused on what she called “progress through partnerships.”
“When you look at what Hastings has achieved in the past year — in clean water investments, infrastructure improvements, community celebrations and economic growth — you can see it happened because we worked together,” she said.
Among the city’s most pressing priorities, she said, is ensuring clean drinking water through treatment of PFAS and nitrates.
Construction is underway on the city’s central water treatment plant, with eastern and western facilities also planned. Fasbender said all three plants carry a combined estimated cost of $70.3 million, with more than $23 million already secured through grants and settlement funding.
She thanked state legislators for advocating for Hastings’ funding requests.
Fasbender said the city continues to maintain strong finances, noting Hastings again received a clean audit. She said the 2026 city budget totals $71 million and prioritizes infrastructure, utilities, staffing and long-term planning.
She added that 44 percent of each tax dollar goes to public safety, 12 percent to parks and recreation, and 10 percent to public works.
The mayor also discussed the upcoming reconstruction of the Highway 61 corridor, currently scheduled for 2028, calling it a transformational investment that will improve safety, commerce and access to downtown.
Other major projects mentioned included City Hall renovations, civic arena upgrades, pedestrian safety improvements and housing development throughout the community.
While celebrating growth, Fasbender said Hastings still faces a significant housing shortage. Citing a recent Dakota County study, she said the city has a five-year housing gap of 1,483 units, including both rental and ownership housing.
“This data makes one thing clear — growth alone is not enough,” she said. “We must continue to ensure that our housing developments meet the needs of our entire community today and for our future.”
Fasbender praised local organizations, the downtown business association and the chamber for helping make Hastings vibrant year-round through festivals, beautification efforts and tourism promotion.
She also highlighted the success of Hockey Day Minnesota, held in Hastings earlier this year.
“It was an incredible opportunity to showcase not just our facilities, but the spirit of our community,” she said.

Panel discussion closes event
The luncheon concluded with a panel moderated by Chamber President Kristy Barse featuring Fasbender, City Administrator Dan Wietecha, Wehrkamp Herman and Hastings School Board Chair Carrie Tate.
Discussion topics included collaboration between the city and schools, student leadership, civic engagement, growth and shopping local.
Asked what has improved most in recent years, Tate pointed to the district’s Pathways programming, while Wietecha cited the city’s stronger financial position. Fasbender said the community itself has become more engaged and willing to help.
“I truly think it’s helping, and it’s happening in Hastings,” Fasbender said.
The annual event served as both a celebration of recent accomplishments and a roadmap for future priorities, with a common message echoed throughout the afternoon: Hastings moves forward when it works together.