March 6, 2025

VT Industries, Inc. becomes Gold-Certified Fox Cities Employee Friendly Workplace

Jack Herkowski, Manager of Economic Development at the Fox Cities Chamber (center, right), presents the gold Employee Friendly Workplace certification plaque to Aaron Clausen, Vice President of Operations, Architectural Wood Door Division at VT Industries, and members of the VT Industries – Neenah leadership team.

Congratulations to VT Industries, Inc. on being certified as a gold-level Employee Friendly Workplace! As a proud third-generation family-owned and operated company, VT Industries, Inc. remains steadfast in their dedication to being the employer of choice in every community they operate in.

As an industry-leading building products manufacturer, VT Industries prioritizes safety, work-life balance, and meaningful employee engagement initiatives, embodying their core values in the workplace. Affectionately known as the “VT Family,” they offer a variety of programs designed to support and encourage the development of their team members. These include recognition for employee tenure, various awards and recognition programs, engaging employee activities, tuition reimbursement, and support for time off to engage in civic activities.

“We are proud to offer programs that nourish and grow our team members for personal, professional, and community benefit, because we recognize that they are foundational to our company’s success,” explains Travis Mudloff, Senior Vice President of the architectural wood door division.

Read the full announcement

February Market Outlook Key Takeaways:

How Will Tariffs and Policy Changes Impact Inflation? With new trade policies under review, we’re tracking how tariffs could shape consumer prices, corporate profits, and inflation trends. What does this mean for your investments?
Are Interest Rates Set to Hold Steady or Drop? With inflation and unemployment hovering near key thresholds, interest rates may not move as quickly as expected. What could this mean for bonds, stocks, and overall portfolio positioning?
AI’s Next Big Move: Productivity Gains & Market Growth. AI is evolving beyond large language models, driving productivity across industries. With infrastructure investments surging, could this be the next major wave of market opportunity?

Read the February 2025 Market Outlook here.

Spots still open for Chamber Summer Golf Outing

Don't miss out on the Chamber's Summer Golf Outing! The outing features a day of golf, networking opportunities, and fun on the beautiful course at North Shore Golf Club.

Grab your foursome and register for the outing here.

Next Business After Hours on March 13

Join the Chamber for our next after-hours networking event on March 13 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The Business After Hours will be hosted by Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS) at 1205 W. American Dr. in Neenah.

Bring your business cards and get ready to make new connections! Register to attend here.

Your Business Advocate: Evers kicks off biennial budget process

On February 18, Governor Evers delivered his budget address, officially kicking off the state’s biennial budget process. His proposals build on his previously announced Year of the Kid theme for 2025, including a $3.4 billion increase in school funding and a $2 billion tax cut package. The tax package features an income tax exemption on tips, the elimination of sales tax on certain consumer goods, and a new initiative aimed at controlling property tax increases by providing payments to local governments that freeze their property tax levies. To offset those tax increases, the Governor’s budget also raises some taxes by $3.3 billion, for a net increase in taxes of $2.4 billion, potentially leading to a shortfall in the billions of dollars in future budgets.

Read the full blog

The Thought Leader: Stay Ahead of Your Health: The Power of Preventive Care

By: Kelsey Kienert, MD with Ascension Wisconsin

Preventive care is the most important step you can take to manage and improve your health. Many of the top risk factors leading to illness and premature death are preventable, and it is up to you to take responsibility for your health and quality of life.

It is easier to do that when you have the right information from your primary care provider.

Why should everyone have a primary care provider?

It is important to have primary care providers for you and your family. Your primary care doctor not only helps you get better when you are sick, but they also help ensure your well-being and prevent illness.

Read the full Thought Leader blog here.

Immerse your employees in the Fox Cities community

The Chamber's IMMERSION Fox Cities program provides a community immersion experience for local employees; whether someone is new to the area or a longtime resident, every participant will learn something new and feel more engaged in the Fox Cities.

Join us for the upcoming April 11-12 session, which includes a Friday night dinner and speaker presentations at History Museum at the Castle, plus a Saturday breakfast and a brief presentation at the Fox Cities Chamber office, followed by a private tour of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.

Registration deadline is March 21, 2025. Fee for this class will be a one-time introductory cost of $450.

ICYMI: Maximizing the 2025 Draft for your Fox Cities Business

Last week we hosted our webinar on 'Maximizing the 2025 Draft for your Fox Cities Business' - in case you missed it, you can now watch the recording here!

Give back to the Fox Cities community; apply to be a food vendor at Octoberfest 2025

Food, fun, and philanthropy have defined Appleton’s Octoberfest for more than four decades! Since its inception in 1981, Appleton’s Octoberfest has reinvested nearly $3 million in local businesses and nonprofit organizations, making it a cornerstone of our community.

Applications are open for food vendors at this year's event; all food vendors at Appleton's Octoberfest MUST either be a non-profit or must be partnered with a non-profit of their choice (and profit share for the day). We are proud of the tradition this festival brings to the community and are thrilled to provide your organization with an opportunity to raise funds to advance your mission!

Learn more / Apply

New ruling requires beneficial ownership reports by March 21

Businesses are again required to file beneficial ownership information reports under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) following last week’s federal court action lifting an injunction on the Department of the Treasury. Businesses must file by March 21st to be compliant. To help you assist your members with this process, the U.S. Chamber has created an informational website and one-page guide document that walks through the steps businesses must take to comply with the CTA. Click here to access the CTA website and click here to download the one-page guide document.

I-41 closures planned for March between Appleton and DePere

The I-41 construction project will be adding additional closures over the next few months along the I-41 corridor between Appleton and De Pere:

WIS 96/Wisconsin Avenue

The SB I-41 off-ramp to WIS 96/Wisconsin Avenue closed Monday, March 3.
Note: The SB I-41 off-ramps to WIS 15 and College Ave will remain open. Consecutive ramps will not be closed at the same time

Vandenbroek Road Overpass

Scheduled to close the week of March 24.

I-41 Mainline (between WIS 96 and Lynndale Dr)

NB I-41 traffic lanes are shifted to construct a box culvert under I-41 near Lynndale Dr.
Speed limit is 60 mph due to reduced lane and shoulder widths.
Please slow down in the work zone.

Click here to see the full project brief.

ATW Director Abe Weber wins best airport partner

Appleton International Airport (ATW) Director Abe Weber was named the best airport partner by The Cranky Flier. Weber was nominated by airline representatives in North and South America as the best air service and development leader in the industry. The award was presented at the annual Cranky Network Awards in Phoenix on February 27, 2025. In winning the award, multiple airlines acknowledged Weber’s creativity in marketing. Read the full article here.