L to R: Gary Klimmek, Brian Filzen, Carolyn Marti Smith, Richard Seeboth, Mayor Kathleen Backer, Steve Balza, Keith Rolloff and Ronald Wendinger stand in front of the new Sister Cities sign posted on the 20th S. Street.

NEW ULM — The close relationship between New Ulm and its German Sister Cities Ulm and Neu Ulm is on display at the entrance to the city.

Recently, a new road sign recognizing the Sister’s Cities partnership was placed along 20th South/Highway 37 near the Welcome to New Ulm sign.

The idea for the signs came from Sister Cities Commission Richard Seeboth. Seeboth said while crossing a bridge over the Danube River connection Ulm and Neu Ulm he saw a sign acknowledging the connection between the neighboring cities and thought, “we should do that too.”

Shortly after the visit, Seeboth joined the Sister Cities Commission and recommended adding signs to New Ulm’s entrance recognizing Ulm and Neu Ulm. The commission agreed and after a few years of petitioning the city and the state, the signs were approved.

The commissioners and Mayor Kathleen Backer visited the newly placed sign on 20th South/Highway 37 Thursday.

“The sign is one more accolade for New Ulm,” said Mayor Backer. “It also recognizes our ongoing relationship with Ulm and Neu Ulm. It is a good reminder to everyone of that connection.”

The 20th Street sign was the first of three Sister Cities sign placed at entry points to New Ulm. A second sign was placed on Highway 27/5 North Street. The third sign will be placed near the Highway 14/Highway 15 interchange.