• Interstate 41 Corridor
Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Winnebago Counties
New Fond du Lac hospital breaks ground
Froedtert ThedaCare Health, Inc. broke ground for a new health campus in Fond du Lac.
The $35 million campus is expected to be approximately 25,000 square feet, with emergency care, inpatient beds and 24/7 coverage by board-certified emergency physicians. For patients requiring additional care, observation and tests, plans call for 24/7 CT scans, X-ray and ultrasound with outpatient access.
The smaller-scale hospital will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
“Enhancing access to care is a key principle of our Population Health vision of reinventing health care by becoming proactive partners in health with our communities, including prediction and prevention with primary and specialty care,” said Cathy Jacobson, CEO of Froedtert ThedaCare Health, Inc.
Demand for access to care continues to grow in Fond du Lac, where city and county populations have steadily increased over the past decade. The campus at 755 W. Johnson St. will be located in a retail district near I-41.
Care at the new health campus will be collectively delivered to patients by ThedaCare providers and the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin health network.
The Fond du Lac health campus is expected to be complete in 2025.
In addition to the hospital in Fond du Lac, the health system announced plans to create a health campus in Oshkosh. Additional information about the Oshkosh campus will be released soon.
VPI sells production facility to August Winter & Sons
VPI, Inc. announced the sale of its 100,000-square-foot production facility at 2730 N. Roemer Road, Appleton, to local mechanical contractor August Winter & Sons, Inc. as the final step in streamlining production operations into one facility.
The process started with a 2023 purchase of 150,000 square feet of space on its existing Kensington Drive property to take full control of that campus.
“While VPI has grown and evolved over the years, so has our real estate portfolio. At the end of 2022, we owned or leased nine properties,” said President and CEO Tim Riebau.
VPI decided to consolidate into a production hub, a hub for community programs and the downtown Appleton Community Outreach Center.
“The sale of our Roemer production facility and consolidation to our Kensington campus gives us our production hub,” Riebau said.
VPI now owns and operates a single 400,000-square-foot production and warehouse facility in Appleton and will include the build-out of additional IPA/clean room space to support its customers who have this specific need.
August Winter & Sons officials said the location is ideal for the company and will allow for continued growth near its existing facility.
“Our current facility consists of 64,000 square feet between office, production and warehouse,” said Travis Glennon, August Winter & Sons, Inc. controller. “Adding this 100,000-square-foot facility fills all our immediate needs and provides room for growth for years to come. We will move our entire sheet metal production, which includes ductwork, tank and other custom fabrication, along with our tool room and shipping and receiving department, to the new facility.”
Port of Green Bay shipping season opened early
The first ship of the season arrived in the Port of Green Bay, officially kicking off the 2024 shipping season on March 10 with the arrival of the 392-foot Margaret with Tug Albert. The ship carried a delivery for U.S. Venture.
“It’s an early start to this shipping season. In fact, this is the earliest port opening in my 25 years here,” said Port Director Dean Haen. “With it officially underway, we’re looking forward to another great year for Great Lakes commerce. The big ships entering the Port of Green Bay provide economic stability for our region, along with plenty of enjoyment for ship watchers in the area.”
Anyone interested in ship watching is encouraged to view the ships from the Fox River Trail, the Green Bay Metro Boat Launch or other areas along the Lower Fox River. Port security requirements do not allow public access on any port property. Learn more about pending ship arrivals at the Port of Green Bay website or Facebook page.
• The Northwoods
Florence, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto Counties
Food pantry relocates in Marinette
St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marinette opened a new food pantry at 2000 Cleveland Ave., previously the site of Scoops restaurant.
The new, larger facility will enable SVdP to enhance its services and increase its impact. By moving the food pantry out of the thrift store, pantry visitors will experience a more spacious and welcoming environment, expanded service hours and a return to grocery-style shopping.
“St. Vincent de Paul Marinette is committed to responding to the growing needs of our community,” said Ashley Berken, executive director of SVdP. “Our new pantry allows us to meet these needs more effectively and expand our reach to ensure that no one in our area goes hungry. This is a huge step forward in our mission, and we’re excited about the positive changes it brings.”
The pantry serves Marinette, Menominee and Oconto counties. The pantry relocation will allow expansion of the existing thrift store.
Marinette could receive funds related to UWGB campus closure
Marinette could be eligible for up to $2 million in funds from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation when Gov. Tony Evers signs a bill that passed the legislature designating money for communities where a two-year campus closed.
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay announced it would no longer hold in-person classes at the Marinette campus due to declining enrollment. Enrollment at the Marinette campus was at 213 in the fall semester, down from 305 in 2018-19. The enrollment compares to 404 at UW-Green Bay’s Manitowoc campus and 436 at the Sheboygan campus.
Marinette County owns the facilities and the real estate of the Marinette campus. In late February, the legislature passed a bill that designated up to $2 million for counties to assist with the cost of redeveloping sites of closed two-year UW campuses.
Officials with the city of Marinette, the county and UWGB have expressed interest in maintaining the Herbert L. Williams Theater as well as park green space at the campus.
• The Lakeshore
Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan Counties
Kohler, Shipbuilders credit unions seek merger approval
Kohler Credit Union and Shipbuilders Credit Union jointly announced an intent to merge, subject to regulatory approval and membership vote.
The merger has been approved by both credit unions’ boards of directors. The combined entity will operate under the name Kohler Credit Union.
“The merger of Kohler Credit Union and Shipbuilders Credit Union emerged organically, driven by the presence of our existing branch and a compelling opportunity for growth,” said Tony Klockow, president and chief executive officer of Kohler Credit Union.
Mike Steimle, interim president and chief executive officer of Shipbuilders Credit Union, said: “This merger is propelled by optimism and an unwavering dedication to our members. It signifies more than just a consolidation of resources; it’s about magnifying the strengths of both institutions to enhance member service. Ensuring the financial well-being of our members remains paramount as we navigate through this transition.”
Kohler Credit Union is a $615 million not-for-profit, financial cooperative owned and governed by its members. Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in Sheboygan, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington or Waukesha counties, as well as their immediate family members and associations or organizations.
Shipbuilders Credit Union is a $116 million not-for-profit cooperative with membership open to anyone living or working in Manitowoc, Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee and Sheboygan counties.
LTC adding five programs to meet workforce demands
In response to evolving workforce demands, Lakeshore Technical College is preparing to introduce five new programs.
“Lakeshore is committed to proactively addressing workforce challenges within our communities and excited about five prospective programs we are aiming to introduce,” said LTC President Paul Carlsen.
The programs include:
- Accredited dental hygienist associate degree: According to Lightcast 2023 data, there are 169 open positions within Lakeshore’s district area.
- Commercial driver license entry-level driver training: Employers with employees required to drive class A, B or C vehicles can register for the theory courses and behind-the-wheel skills instruction. Upon completion, employees can apply for their CDLs through the Division of Motor Vehicles.
- Foundations of teacher education associate degree: Students will learn to serve as paraprofessionals who assist teachers in K-12 classrooms. Courses in this program will also serve as electives for an education emphasis in the general studies associate of arts and associate of science degree programs designed to transfer into four-year university settings to earn a bachelor’s degree in education.
- Funeral services associate degree: Students will take general education and business courses through Lakeshore and core funeral services courses through Milwaukee Area Technical College. Lakeshore will coordinate with local funeral homes for on-site instructional experiences.
- Digital court reporting and transcription: Students will prepare to work in courtrooms and other environments where the use of artificial intelligence is growing.
Elkhart Lake receives housing funds from WEDC
A $200,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. will help the village of Elkhart Lake redevelop a former county highway site into housing.
The Idle Site Redevelopment Grant program is an initiative of the WEDC to address housing needs in rural Wisconsin.
In Elkhart Lake, a $200,000 ISR grant will help the village prepare a site for two housing developments: one with 50 rental units, affordable housing for seasonal workers as well as veterans and people with disabilities; and the other with 70 townhomes with no income restrictions. The ISR grant will help the village cover demolition and infrastructure costs.
“We’re a resort community with a lot of hospitality industries, so we’re hoping this will help a lot of those employees struggling to find places to live,” said Jessica Reilly, village administrator and clerk. “We don’t have a lot of apartments in the village. With these two apartment developments, we’re hoping to expand who can come here to live and work.”
From the program’s inception in 2013 through January 2023, WEDC has awarded nearly $22.3 million in ISR grants for 47 projects expected to generate more than $167.4 million in capital investments statewide.
• West Central
Green Lake, Marquette, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara Counties
Waupaca partners with UniverCity for planning and grants
Waupaca will be part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s UniverCity program, which connects Wisconsin communities with faculty, staff, instructors, students and courses during three-year partnerships, through 2026. Since its inception, 29 Wisconsin communities have partnered with UniverCity.
Waupaca City Administrator Aaron Jenson said UniverCity will support priority planning efforts and increase the city’s ability to secure grants and execute important projects.
“After reviewing outcomes in other communities, the city of Waupaca is confident the UniverCity program is a great option for planning efforts that will mimic professional-level documents,” Jenson said.
UniverCity has helped Wisconsin communities address a wide range of needs, from environmental sustainability to child care policies and strategic messaging campaigns.
“Year after year, we are excited to work with Wisconsin local governments and pair them with UW-Madison’s faculty, staff, instructors and students to jumpstart their goals,” said UniverCity Managing Director Gavin Luter. “Our primary aim is to listen to these local leaders and find the best match for their communities’ needs.”
