Owatonna Live to go dark

There aren’t many people who have been to as many concerts, government meetings, awards ceremonies, fundraisers and graduations as Scott Limberg.

The owner of Limberg Productions and Owatonna Live has spent the last 14 years recording events of all stripes, then uploading them to the website for public viewing.

He announced late last week that he will stop broadcasting on Owatonna Live at the end of August. Livestreams, including sports, ended July 31.

Limberg attributed the decision to several factors, including a loss of advertising and rising expenses.

The thought process to closing Owatonna Live, he said, “was a matter of balance. We’re trying to balance the livestreams with the rentals.”

He’s talking about Tent Rentals and More, another iron in Limberg’s fire. In addition to large tents, he has tables and chairs, inflatable bounce houses and party games, mini golf, even portable stages for rent.

That business has grown 82% in the past year.

Limberg plans to keep his Rose Street office open.

“We have some ideas for the studio area that are being developed,” he said. “That’ll come down the road.”

Until Aug. 31, the studio will continue to host the three local talk shows now in production: Coaches Show and Business Talk, both with Roy Koenig, and Straight Talk, with Karen Hale.

“At one point, we had seven talk shows,” Limberg said. “We’re down to three – and it’s hard to find people who want to support or host a talk show.”

His business definitely filled a need that was recognized by the community: He received both the 2021 Spirit of Owatonna Award and the 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year Award; he was nominated for the Book of Golden Deeds Award in 2024.

During the pandemic, the demand for some sort of connection to others was amplified.

“It’s a great thing for a city this size to have,” said Hale, who has been on the air for six years. “As somebody who moved here from another state, I got to meet so many great people and really learn about the businesses, nonprofits and organizations in town.

“I feel really fortunate to have gotten to do it as long as I did,” she said. “I got to meet a lot of really cool people.”

Limberg plans to keep his production company open.

“On that side of things, we do quite a few videos for companies and individuals,” he said. “We’re going to keep some of our livestream equipment, because we do funerals, weddings, that kind of thing.”

Events like the Owatonna High School Pops Concert, he said, draw thousands of viewers. That could continue, should Limberg and the school district work out an agreement.

For now, he remains grateful to the advertisers and supporters, including those who were part of the Patron program that provided them access to sports.

“It’s almost like Owatonna Live has run its course,” Limberg said, “and it’s time to move on.”