WEDC Bulletin
An Economic Development Update from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Door County Maritime Museum breaks ground on construction of new lighthouse tower
The Board of Directors of the Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM), along with developers, donors and local officials, broke ground on the 10-story Maritime Lighthouse Tower museum expansion Wednesday, signaling the start of construction activities.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the project with a $250,000 Community Development Investment Grant. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October 2020.
The Maritime Lighthouse Tower, situated along the Sturgeon Bay inner harbor, will offer 10 floors of creative and interactive educational displays that will feature highlights of maritime history. Educational programs at the newly renovated museum will emphasize the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills used throughout the maritime and marine industries and in careers vital to the economy of Door County.
City of Baraboo receives $54,700 state grant to support renovation of historic AL. Ringling Mansion
The City of Baraboo is receiving a $54,700 state grant to help transform the historic AL. (Albert) Ringling Mansion Ballroom into a new brewpub located in downtown Baraboo.
The Community Development Investment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will support the renovation of the tourist attraction into a microbrewery and restaurant featuring a beer recipe that was discovered in a small box hidden under a floor in the mansion.
The owners now plan to turn the home’s ballroom into a microbrewery and restaurant featuring the long-lost Ringling Family Original Beer Recipe from more than a century ago. The recipe was perfected over the last two years for production and will be considered the beer company’s flagship recipe.
UW System and WEDC introduce online “how to” Talent Generator
To make it easier for businesses to launch their own internship programs, the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) have introduced the Talent Generator, a new online tool offering smart tips and best practices for creating and sustaining a successful student talent development program.
The easy-to-use, no-cost tool was unveiled today by UW System President Ray Cross and WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. They were joined by university career services representatives, regional economic development officials, and local business leaders who expressed support for how the new Talent Generator will complement their own efforts to help employers expand workforce opportunities.
The online Talent Generator is designed to help small and medium-sized companies develop and sustain successful internship programs. It will help Wisconsin further solidify its reputation as a national leader in student internships.
Riverwood Eagle’s Nest breaks ground on construction of new senior community project in Wisconsin Dells
Officials from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), state and local leaders, and former Governor Tommy Thompson broke ground today on Riverwood Eagle’s Nest, a multi-phase project to assisted living and memory care services for the Wisconsin Dells area.
WEDC is providing the City of Wisconsin Dells with a $250,000 state grant to assist in the construction of a community senior housing project that will be located in downtown Wisconsin Dells.
The Community Development Investment Grant from WEDC will support the first phase of the development, which consists of 30 assisted living apartments, 22 memory care apartments, a community café, a telemedicine office and community trails. The development is expected to enhance telemedicine services for residents, and safety and community access are also important features of the new development.
Vets Plus Inc expands operations in Menomonie
Vets Plus Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of animal health and nutrition products, is expanding its pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and operations in Menomonie—a $2.5 million project expected to create 199 jobs over the next three years.
WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $400,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits Vets Plus will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment made during that period.
The project includes the expansion of the Vets Plus facility at 902 Stokke Parkway and the renovation of a facility at 4602 Domain Drive. The Stokke Parkway site expansion involves adding 30,000 square feet of manufacturing space that will allow Vets Plus to add new capacity to its soft chew supplement manufacturing line to meet growing customer demand. This expansion will result in the creation of 139 full-time positions.
Matalco Inc. establishes operations in Wisconsin Rapids
Matalco Inc. broke ground today for construction of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Wisconsin Rapids—an $80 million project expected to create 80 jobs over the next three years.
WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $1,500,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits Matalco will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period.
Matalco plans to construct a 110,000-square-foot, new, state-of-the-art greenfield re-melt extrusion billet and slab manufacturing facility. The facility will produce more than 230 million pounds of aluminum billet per year. Once the plant has achieved full production capacity—expected to be within the first two to three years after commissioning and startup—the projected employment will be approximately 80 full-time employees.
