Focus on Calumet
A periodic update on economic development opportunities in Calumet County
and the region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Major Changes coming to CDBG
Revolving Loan Fund Program
T he Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources has announced a proposal regarding changes to the Community Development Block Grant Revolving Loan Funds for Economic Development (CDBG RLF-ED) program. Calumet County is among over 130 local RLF programs in WI that administer a low-interest revolving loan fund using CDBG funding that is impacted.
 
The proposed changes have come about because the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is reviewing Wisconsin’s CDBG RLF-ED Program for compliance and has recommended changes to the program. As a result, Wisconsin is seeking approval from HUD to close out Wisconsin’s CDBG RLF-ED program in an effort to mitigate compliance risk for the local RLF-ED programs. The plan is similar to program changes recently implemented by the state of Illinois.

Businesses that are interested in applying for a low-interest loan from Calumet County's RLF Fund are encouraged to do so promptly, as the CDBG-CLOSE program may start as early as October 1, 2018.  Upon receiving approval from HUD for the proposed close out program (CDBG-CLOSE), expected around October 1, 2018, the State’s proposal requests local programs return their fund balances to the state, at which time the proposal allows program administrators to apply to DOA for 2 to 3 projects based mainly on existing CDBG criteria up to the full amount of the local program’s available balance. These include public infrastructure projects; housing projects; planning projects; public service projects; or economic development planning grants.   For more information on the CDBG-CLOSE program, please refer to the following documents.

There are numerous unanswered questions about the proposed changes, and we'll be doing our best to gain a complete understanding of future options and opportunities.
Calumet a Leader...in Out-Commuting
The WI Counties Association recently published “ The Green Book, a Book of County Facts ” in partnership with the Wisconsin Policy Forum. The fact book is intended to provide basic facts and to aid in designing future service needs, planning, and forecasting revenues and expenditures. 

The economic development section provides a discussion on commuting patterns. According to The Green Book , commuting in or out of a county is caused by many factors including workers seeking high-paying jobs or people seeking to live in places with certain amenities such as good schools or parks. If the two are in different counties, it results in commuting. 

Net commuting is reported in The Green Book for each WI county. Net in-commuting is measured as the number of commuters INTO a county minus the number commuting OUT, as a percentage of the county’s workforce. A positive figure indicates the county is attracting more workers than are leaving for work. Calumet County has the distinction of having the 2 nd highest NEGATIVE percentage at -42.6%, meaning more residents leave the county daily for work than all other counties with the exception of Pierce County in the St. Paul/Minneapolis MSA. 

The good news? Calumet County may be perceived as having very desirable amenities that cause people to want to live here. The not-so-good new? A LOT of Calumet County residents leave the county for work at employers who enhance the tax base in our neighboring counties while likely spending money in those other counties.
Construction to begin on Brillion City Center
as part of $1.5 Million Project
Good things continue happening in Brillion’s downtown. Several months ago the city received a WEDC Community Development Investment Grant to develop a multi-family workforce housing project at the site of a former grocery store that’s being demolished. It is part of a city block downtown revitilization project that’s been a community priority for many years.

As reported in the Appleton Post-Crescent, a new city hall — part of a $1.5 million development project— will be built along Main Street beginning this week. The Main Street Square initiative calls for the construction of city hall, to be known as Brillion City Center. 
Source: McMahon Group

The total cost of the project is approx. $1.5 million. The project will be leased to the city over a 20-year period and will be paid back over that time.  
New Businesses
Wild Chicory opens in Stockbridge
Wild Chicory, a home décor shop, opened in early May at 100 N. Military Rd. in Stockbridge. The store carries vintage and eclectic home décor, furniture, and plants, among other items. For more information about the new venture, see Wild Chicory’s facebook page.  
Photo Credit: Wild Chicory
Pizza Time in Hilbert
Hilbert has its own Little Caesars Express pizza store. It is located within the Hilbert Hot Spot Building on Hwy 57 at the intersection of 8 th and Main Streets in Hilbert. The store specializes in pre-cooked, take-out pizzas.



Left to right: Manager Chris Suchan, Owner Buddi Subedi, and Hilbert Village Clerk Dennis DuPrey.
Photo Credit: Ed Byrnes, Brillion News
New Salon Moves into old Essential Technologies
According to the Brillion News, Kalon Salon and Massage officially filled the building of the old Essential Technologies in Brillion on May 1. Kari Bubolz and Katrina Haelfrisch are the two hair stylists at the new endeavor. The two have worked together for nearly the past decade at Salon 3 Sixty in Brillion. “Be our own bosses. Chase our dreams,” Haelfrisch said. 
Kari Bubolz (left) and Katrina Haelfrisch (right)
in their new salon.
Photo Credit: David Nordby, Brillion News
Available Property
Located on the western edge of the Village of Hilbert in central Calumet County are two 20-acre vacant parcels. The parcels, farm fields, are currently zoned residential, but could be rezoned for commercial or industrial use. Hilbert is a growing community, home to Sargento Foods which is expanding and seeking additional employees. Additional housing in the village is in demand. 
More details about the site here.
Free Business Counseling Offered
The third Tuesday of practically any month one can find a counselor with the Green Bay Small Business Development Center meeting at the Calumet County Courthouse with entrepreneurs and existing business owners. Each month, free individual business counseling sessions are held to help answer questions and put businesses and entrepreneurs in a better position to make the best decisions for themselves and their businesses. 

To schedule an appointment with the business counselor, contact Mary Kohrell using the information provided below. The next session will be held on July 17.
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