Source: Duluth Town News

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/8504886.htm

On April 23, 2004 Duluth Town News reported, "Members of a local Buddhist organization have dreams of building a large temple filled with 3,000 people in southwestern Minnesota. For now, they'll settle for a 16-by-20-foot addition to a revamped farmhouse. To make way for a growing Laotian community here, Nobles County officials approved the use of the farmhouse as a makeshift Buddhist temple until a more permanent location can be found. But neighbors say that farm country is no place for a church, especially one that draws dozens of people to a rural road occupied by the combines and grain-filled semis of local farmers. The Buddhists insist there won't be a traffic problem because they only hold large celebrations once or twice a year. Outside of those gatherings, only a handful of members visit the temple each day. Thi Synavone, the Buddhist organization's elected secretary, said the Worthington community has been supportive and 'open to diversity,' although she fears that race and religion may play at least a small part in the opposition."