Our Community

New York Mills

A small, rural community rich with Finnish heritage. The first Finnish settlers arrived in 1874. The influence of their culture can still be seen with a Finnish flag flying in Central Park, homes containing saunas, and a local summer festival celebrating all things Finn!

The most well-known business in town, started in 1950, is Lund Boat Company, now Brunswick New York Mills Operation, which is also the largest employer. Lund boats are sold world-wide and used by many of fishing’s top pros, as well as the majority of locals out on the plentiful area lakes or rivers.

At its heart, New York Mills is a traditional small town. You can still buy your groceries, prescriptions and flowers locally. The lumber yard and hardware store are also available when you have a building or fix-up project to get done.  And if it's a local brew or woodfired pizza you're craving?  Well, we've got you covered there, too!

The outdoor community pool, plentiful local parks, and ice skating rinks provide wholesome, small-town opportunities for the youth of New York Mills. The many community events, from the Easter Egg Hunt to the Lund Mania Fishing Tournament and celebration, sponsored by the Civic & Commerce Association, provide fun, food and always something for all ages.

New York Mills also has great support for the local school. Sporting events, music concerts, and other school occasions, including the successful Community Carnival to raise funds for the school, are well attended by community members. The heart of a community is often its school, and New York Mills puts great pride in the school system.

Other local educational opportunities are provided by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, a unique gem which, drawing from a regional and national level, brings quality cultural and artistic programming to the area. Photographers, song writers, puppeteers, authors and more have all displayed their awesome talents in our small town.