WEDA Applauds 2026 Community and Economic Development Award Winners

WEDA Applauds 2026 Community and Economic Development Award Winners

Achievements in Economic Development Celebrated at 2026 CEDA Awards

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) congratulates the 2026 Community and Economic Development Award (CEDA) winners recognized at the annual CEDA Awards ceremony, held Sept. 17, 2026, in Kenosha, WI, during WEDA’s Fall Best Practices Conference. The CEDA Awards were established by WEDA to recognize economic development projects and programs, as well as businesses and organizations that have made significant contributions to Wisconsin’s economy.

“Economic development plays a vital role in strengthening communities and creating opportunities for people and businesses across Wisconsin, yet the impact of this work is not always fully recognized,” said WEDA President and CEO Melissa Hunt. “The CEDA Awards offer an important opportunity to highlight the innovative projects and dedicated professionals who are helping move our state forward. Congratulations to this year’s finalists and winners for their outstanding contributions to economic development in Wisconsin.”

Three finalists were selected in each of the four CEDA categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Economic Development Initiative; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention. The winners in each category were announced and celebrated at the awards ceremony, which was attended by economic development professionals from across the state.

The 2026 CEDA winners are:

• Business Retention and Expansion category – This award recognizes a single economic development project in which a community successfully mobilized to retain or expand an existing business of great importance to the community.
  • Winner – Weinbrenner Shoe Company (Marshfield, WI) – The City of Marshfield partnered with employee-owned Weinbrenner Shoe Company to preserve a nearly 90-year manufacturing legacy while positioning the company for future growth. Weinbrenner’s 1936 downtown facility had become increasingly inefficient, limiting production, employee comfort, and the company’s ability to meet growing demand for American-made Thorogood work boots. With other states actively recruiting the company, Marshfield worked with Weinbrenner, Ellis Construction, WEDC, and regional partners to make a $14.5 million investment in a new 70,000-square-foot facility at Mill Creek Business Park possible. A performance-based development agreement provides incentives tied to measurable investment and employment outcomes. The modern facility retains approximately 120 local jobs and creates capacity for 35 additional positions, while improving workflow, safety, technology, and employee well-being. By keeping Weinbrenner in Marshfield, the project protects a valued employer, strengthens the local tax base, supports skilled trades, and creates future redevelopment opportunities for the company’s former downtown site.

• Economic Development Initiative category – This award recognizes innovation in community and economic development that promotes economic growth within communities and regions.
  • Winner – Appleton International Airport Terminal Expansion and Renovation (Appleton, WI) – The Appleton International Airport terminal expansion and renovation is transforming a critical regional asset into an engine for economic growth, connectivity, and innovation in Northeast Wisconsin. The $92 million project responds to rapidly growing demand, with the airport doubling passengers and flight departures over the past decade. Designed in partnership with Outagamie County, Miron Construction, Mead & Hunt, airlines, and regional businesses, the 47,000-square-foot expansion accommodates larger aircraft, expanded routes, universal accessibility, and sustainable operations. State-of-the-art amenities and technology improve the passenger experience while new restaurants, retail concepts, and entrepreneurial businesses create opportunities for regional economic activity within the terminal. The project’s focus on placemaking, sustainability, and accessibility – including a sensory room, hearing loops, and a Net Zero Energy goal – sets a new standard for regional air travel. More than an airport improvement, the project strengthens Northeast Wisconsin’s connection to global markets and has helped drive an economic impact of nearly $2 billion, supporting 7,626 jobs and $1.3 billion in direct business sales.

• Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse category – This award recognizes innovative real estate redevelopment or reuse projects that demonstrate measurable and quantitative impact on employment and tax base.
  • Winner – New Richmond Community Library: A Public-Private Partnership (New Richmond, WI) – The New Richmond Community Library: A Public-Private Partnership transformed a vacant, tax-exempt former middle school site into a $50 million mixed-use downtown anchor, combining a 30,872-square-foot public library with 69 market-rate apartments, nine townhomes, and structured parking. After 28 years of planning, the City of New Richmond and Three Sixty Real Estate Solutions delivered the project in just four years through an innovative public-private partnership. The project converted land that generated no property tax into a productive mixed-use development, with the developer contractually guaranteeing $11 million in new assessed value and the city limiting its pay-go TIF incentive to $1.5 million. The development adds 78 new market-rate homes, supports new employment, and brings significant daily foot traffic to downtown businesses. In its first half-year, the library welcomed 64,337 visitors and generated 96,418 material checkouts. The project demonstrates how creative ownership, financing, and risk-sharing can turn a long-standing community challenge into a sustainable economic catalyst.

• Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention category – This award recognizes initiatives or programs that can document successful talent attraction, development, and retention outcomes.
  • Winner – Rock Internship & Externship Programs (Rock County, WI) – The Rock Internship & Externship Programs are building Rock County’s future workforce by connecting education, employers, and career exploration through paid, hands-on experiences. The Rock Internship provides incoming high school seniors with a six-week paid opportunity to explore careers and develop technical and employability skills, while the Externship gives high school instructors a one-week paid rotational experience with local employers. Led by the Rock County Economic Development Agency in partnership with Blackhawk Technical College, the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, Rock County 5.0, the County of Rock, and participating employers, the programs strengthen the connection between classrooms and careers. Since launching, 184 students and 84 instructors have participated, creating valuable relationships between educators, businesses, and future workers. By giving young people meaningful exposure to local career opportunities while helping educators better understand regional workforce needs, the programs serve as both a talent development and recruitment strategy – strengthening Rock County’s talent pipeline and supporting long-term economic growth.

Nominated projects were screened and selected by an impartial panel of judges comprised of WEDA members and partners. The independent panel reviewed many projects that were submitted for consideration, but the 12 finalists and the eventual winners in each category were selected based on the significant economic impact each project has on its respective community or region.

The 2026 CEDA Awards would not be possible without the support of WEDA’s generous partners and sponsors, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC); Alliant Energy; First Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise (FIRE); Madison Gas and Electric; Xcel Energy; Associated Bank; and Meta.