Focus on Calumet
A bi-weekly update on economic development in the Calumet County region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.
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Monday | September 26, 2022 |
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Two Calumet-Made Products Competing in Coolest Thing Contest |
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) announced more than 100 nominees for the seventh annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. The competition is a tradition that highlights the state’s diverse and expanding manufacturing industry – which employs one in six workers in Wisconsin.
WMC and Johnson Financial Group have partnered together for this contest since 2016, and Wisconsinites have cast nearly one million votes since its inception. Last year alone, more than 200,000 votes were cast to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.
This year’s nominees include mining equipment, yachts, an EV fire truck, cheese curds, a home generator, beef jerky, sports complex lighting, frozen pizzas, a cargo ship, intermodal chassis, and much, much more! Calumet County nominees in Round 1 include Amerequip’s 12″ Cast Iron Bucket Attachment For a Compact Utility Tractor, and AriensCo’s Mammoth 850 mower.
The first round of voting for the contest begins on Monday, Sept. 19, and goes through Tuesday, Sept. 27. The 16 nominees receiving the most votes in the first round will move on to Manufacturing Madness – a bracket-style tournament that features head-to-head matchups of the top Wisconsin-made products. The ultimate winner will be announced at WMC’s Business Day in Madison event on Oct. 19.
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Travel Calumet Tourism Efforts Continue Gaining Momentum
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DW host Eric Paulsen visits three local farms that offer immersive fall experiences for families: Polly’s Pumpkin Patch, Mulberry Farms and Heritage Orchard. In the winter, he learns about sturgeon spearing on Lake Winnebago, samples curds at Vern’s Cheese, and visits the Ariens Company Museum. Host Alex Wehrley embraces spring at Honeymoon Acres, Hidden Hollow Garden Art, and the Wisconsin Micro Brewers Beer Fest. And summertime in Calumet County travels outdoors (and underground!) to visit Ledgeview Nature Center, High Cliff State Park and Lakeview RV Park and Cabins.
Additionally, WI Department of Tourism Secretary-designee Anne Sayers focused recently on the topic of supper clubs in a 5-minute WTMJ interview, including Calumet County’s gem, Schwarz’s Supper Club.
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Ground Broken on Housing Development in Chilton
Tri-County News, 9/21/22
S. C. Swiderski and the Chilton Chamber of Commerce hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the multi-family project SCS Chilton on Tuesday, Sept. 13. They were joined by Chilton Mayor Thomas Reinl, City Administrator David DeTroye, Chamber representatives, community members, and partners on the project including MSA Professional Services and Abby Bank.
S. C. Swiderski is the developer and will own and manage the project which features 102 market rate apartment homes with 14 different floor plans ranging from 702 to 1360 square feet. On the site, there will be 15 multi-family buildings total using three different building styles which include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom duplexes. The site also has a property management office for the onsite property management team from S.C. Swiderski. Each apartment home has an attached or detached garage included, separate entrances, private laundry, and either a patio space or balcony. Rent rates include heat, water, sewer, cable, Wi-Fi, trash, lawn care, and snow removal. The apartment homes are pet friendly for cats and dogs under 50 pounds. SCS Chilton is located off Irish Road just south of USH 151.
Above Photo: Officials of S. C. Swiderski, the City of Chilton and the Chilton Chamber of Commerce gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony. Rachael Siehs photo
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The loss of a major employer rocked Brillion in 2016. Today, the city has its sights set on a major transformation
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Mike Buboltz remembers the feeling — the fear in the community — when Brillion Iron Works, once the city's largest employer shut down in 2016.
"Devastating," said Buboltz, a lifelong resident of the city of 3,200 who owns the Hardware Plus store and Brillion Power Equipment. "The fear of looking at a 142-acre parcel with a cyclone fence around it, all boarded up, it was really kind of a dark, dark time."
When the foundry closed for good, the Calumet County community lost hundreds of jobs at a business that at its peak employed more than 1,000. The city also lost its largest taxpayer and its largest water user.
That scar, however, is a sign of progress. It's the result of a bold decision by Ariens Co., the locally-based, family-owned maker of snowblowers and lawn equipment that employs about 1,500 workers in its Brillion plants and headquarters, to buy the property in 2018 and take the lead, in partnership with the city, to redevelop it. Demolition and site cleanup are only partially complete, but this fall, the effort will yield its first fruits.
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Harrison Considers Creation of New TIF
The Village of Harrison’s Joint Review Board will meet on October 18, 2022 to consider proposed Project Plan for Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District 5. The new TIF is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Cty Hwy N and Manitowoc Road in Harrison.
Brillion Nature Center Makes Top 8 Science Centers in WI
Best Things Wisconsin named the Brillion Nature Center as one of the top 8 science centers in Wisconsin for 2022. The publication noted Brillion Nature Center’s many trails, terrain, learning opportunities, and hands-on activities.
Village of Hilbert Clerk-Treasurer to Retire; Village Seeking Applicants
Due to the pending retirement of the current Administrator Clerk-Treasurer, Dennis DuPrey, in early 2023, the Village of Hilbert is seeking applicants for the position of Administrator Clerk-Treasurer. The new hire will work under the current Administrator Clerk Treasurer until his final day of employment.
Hilbert is a growing community located in central Calumet County, centrally located to all of the metropolitan areas of Northeast Wisconsin and the Fox Valley. The Village has a total of 5 full-time employees and several part-time and seasonal employees. The total budget for all funds is $3.3 million annually. >>Read for more information about the position or to apply
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20th Annual Crafty Apple Fest Held in Chilton on September 10
Tri-County News, Sept 15, 2022
While dark clouds rolled in, shoppers perused and purchased items sold at the event. Available items for purchase ranged from natural wood decor, jewelry, hats, toys, garden decor, homemade dog treats, and more. There were also food and drink options and lanes set up for pumpkin bowling.
(Rachael Siehs Photo)
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Ribbon-Cutting Celebrated for Hilbert Assisted Living Facility
Tri-County News, Sept 15, 2022
Saturday, August 27 was the grand opening for The Concord at Calumet County, an assisted living facility in Hilbert. This facility is part of the ABridge Care Concepts, LLC and according to their website is the second residential care apartment complex in the business. The Concord at Calumet County is a 12-room facility offering independent and assisted living options for residents.
Present for the ceremony were (from left): Village of Hilbert Administrator Dennis Duprey, Village President Jim Schmidt, husband of business owner Aaron Guard, business owner Becky Guard, Chilton Chamber of Commerce President Glen Calnin, Chamber Vice President Jerry Mallmann, and Chamber Secretary Tammy Pethan. (Rachael Siehs Photo)
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Main Street Bounceback Grants
The Main Street Bounceback Grant program provides $10,000 to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant properties in Wisconsin’s downtowns and commercial corridors. Funds can be used to pay leases or mortgages, operational expenses, and other business costs related to the newly opened location.
The reimbursement grant program is open to new or existing businesses opening a new location or expanding operations in a vacant commercial space as of January 1, 2021. Calumet County. Contact the grant program coordinator at East Central WI Regional Planning Commission for information. Application deadline is Dec. 31, 2022.
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Calumet County Business Start-Up and Expansion Assistance |
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Get to Know the Wisconsin Procurement Institute
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) is a non-profit organization established in 1987 to help Wisconsin businesses win federal contracts, especially defense contracts. WPI’s mission is to assist Wisconsin businesses in all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties to create, develop and grow their federal, state and local government sales, revenues, profits and jobs. They do this by providing:
- Strategic, objective, and practical business advice and technical expertise as it relates to entering or growing the government market;
- Technical training and education in locating and analyzing market intelligence and process;
- Knowledge and training required for small and disadvantaged businesses to increase their competitiveness and success in the Government market;
- Supplement organizational capabilities and value.
Not only does WPI provide technical and professional expertise and experience to Wisconsin’s business community, they have successfully engaged the State’s most successful government contractors to mentor and teach developing small business suppliers. WPI provides services to 1200 businesses and organizations each year, and co-hosts and supports over 100 conferences, technical training and outreach events annually in support of this mission.
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WWBIC Training & Programs Catalog
WWBIC is a leading innovative statewide economic development corporation that’s been “Putting Dreams to Work” since 1987. WWBIC helps open the doors of opportunity by providing underserved individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses with access to critical resources such as responsible financial products and quality business and financial training. >>View WWBIC's Training and Programs Catalog
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Business Start-Up and Expansion Assistance
Ray York of the Small Business Development Center serves Calumet County with business assistance to existing and start-up businesses throughout the county. Small Business Development Center services are available at no cost to businesses. Ray’s goal is to provide opportunities to clients by guiding them to make informed decisions to start, expand, or transition their business. He can be reached by phone at (920) 946-9379 or york@sheboygancountyedc.org.
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E-seed Express: Entrepreneurship Training at FVTC
Thinking of starting a business? Need help? E-seed™ Express assists start-up, early-stage entrepreneurs and experienced small business owners in developing management and planning tools for their businesses. Participants develop a business plan through completion of weekly activities and business planning templates. Experts provide insight into legal, management, marketing, technology, accounting and financing aspects of operating a successful small business. >>Additional Information and Registration
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Business & Industry Complimentary Training
Fox Valley Technical College offers a variety of small business-oriented free training and seminars monthly. Please visit their website to view their calendar of classes.
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Calumet County Community Economic Development
Mary Kohrell | Community Economic Development Director
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