• West Central

Green Lake, Marquette, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara Counties

Green Lake asks voters to approve operational referendum

City of Green Lake voters will see an operational referendum on the ballot April 1 that asks voters to approve an increase of $790,314 in the annual tax levy for 2025 and for each year going forward.

The increase amounts to a 24% hike in the city tax levy and would result in a property tax increase of about $423 for a home assessed at $255,900.

According to city officials, the referendum is needed because the allowable tax levy increase under state statute has not kept pace with inflation. State statutes limit municipal tax levy increases to the percentage increase in equalized value from new construction.

In a newsletter, city officials described Green Lake as a “slow growing” community. Over the last 15 years the city has seen a net new construction increase average of 0.97% while inflation has risen on average 2.59%.

The city ran general fund deficits in 2023 and in 2024 but used short-term borrowing and reserve funds to make up the differences. A deficit of $728,635 is anticipated in 2025. In 2026 and beyond, the city anticipates cutting services and staff to avoid further deficits unless the referendum is approved.

JR Machine, Plexus among Manufacturers of the Year

Eight companies, including four from Northeast Wisconsin, were named as Wisconsin Manufacturers of the Year at the 36th Annual Manufacturer of the Year awards program, presented by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC).

“Wisconsinites make things, and they make them well,” said WMC President and CEO Kurt Bauer. “Our state relies on hardworking manufacturers to provide economic stability, careers, innovation and much more. We’re proud to honor this year’s winners of the Manufacturer of the Year Awards.”

Companies were evaluated on key benchmarks, including financial growth, technological advances, product development, environmental solutions and sustainability, operational excellence and continuous improvement, commitment to employees, and effective research and development. Award winners were selected by an independent panel of judges.

Four Grand Awards were distributed in four size categories. Additionally, five special awards were given to companies that demonstrated a unique quality worthy of recognition.

Grand Awards:

• Small Category: JR Machine, Shawano
• Medium Category: Plas-Tech Engineering, Lake Geneva
• Large Category: Weinbrenner Shoe Company, Merrill
• Mega Category: Plexus Corp., Neenah

Special Awards:

• Future of Flavor: Omnia Wood Products LLC (Smokey Woods), Crivitz
• Top of the Line Workplace: Redline Plastics, LLC, Manitowoc
• Global Impact: ANGI Energy Systems LLC, Janesville
• Empowerment Through Inclusion: VARC, Inc, Viroqua

• The Northwoods

Florence, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto Counties

Bond Community Center receives $30,000 donation

The Bellin Health Fitness – Bond Community Center in Oconto received a donation to support the third phase of its outdoor youth playground, annual kids’ triathlon and continuation of free community day events from the Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation, Inc.

This is the third year the Bond Community Center has received a grant from the Bond Foundation. The current grant was applied for through The Bellin Health Foundation, which will assist in managing the one-year grant for $30,000.

“We are very thankful for this donation, which will allow us to increase the playability of our playground for kids of all ages,” said Julie Bulin, vice president of Bellin Health Oconto Hospital.

A portion of the funds will be dispersed to the third annual kids’ triathlon, geared toward children aged 3 to 14, as well as to free community day events such as family yoga, crafting projects and scavenger hunts.

The Bellin Health Fitness – Bond Community Center offers programs designed for various ages and skill levels.

U.S. Forest Service workers among those laid off

Thousands of federal workers have been fired, including probationary employees with the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service in Wisconsin, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest includes portions of Oconto and Florence counties.

The layoffs come as the Trump administration takes sweeping steps to slash the federal workforce, with job cuts led by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. The firings follow a Feb. 11 executive order issued by President Donald Trump to scale back the number of workers.

The U.S. Forest Service is firing 3,475 employees nationwide, said Matt Brossard, general vice president of the Forest Service Council with the National Federation of Federal Employees Union. The Forest Service Council represents about 20,000 employees, including workers in Wisconsin. As many as 40 employees in Wisconsin were let go.

“The U.S. Forest Service manages national forests, manages all the recreation areas, campgrounds, visitor centers … all of that is going to take a hit,” Brossard said.

• Interstate 41 Corridor

Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Winnebago Counties

Austin Straubel International Airport ready for NFL draft visitors

Football players and fans from across the country will touch down at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport for the 2025 NFL draft.

GRB has collaborated with airlines such as Delta, United and American to bring additional flight opportunities to the airport during draft week, as well as made a variety of upgrades to spaces and amenities throughout the property. The airport looks to finalize additional projects prior to the draft.

“The space that travelers see when they get to Green Bay is important to kick off their experience in our community,” said Airport Director Marty Piette. “We want them to feel immersed in the Wisconsin atmosphere as we provide high-quality service.”

Completed and ongoing projects include:

• The Grand Lobby will be a space that welcomes travelers with upgraded furniture and new green spaces, reflecting the beauty and character of Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.
• Artwork from the Oneida Nation was installed in February throughout both concourses and will stay on display until August.
• The Sky Lounge will have new vending machines with enhanced options for food and drink.
• The Arcade will be revamped to include new gaming experiences.

As travelers arrive for the draft, the GRB’s concourse lounges will feature comfortable seating and large TVs for sports fans to enjoy games and live coverage of draft events. Light catering and grab-and-go snacks will be available for purchase.

Additional completed projects include a customer service counter, veterans’ area, Packers heritage, Packers hall, in-terminal signage, draft bikes display, family rooms, mothers’ rooms, and lobby signage with routes.

MPTC and Marian reach transfer agreement

Moraine Park Technical College and Marian University have established a transfer agreement that enables students earning associate of arts or associate of science liberal arts degrees to transfer to Marian University at a confirmed junior status. The completion of the degree fulfills the general education requirements for any bachelor’s degree program at Marian University.

The partnership with Marian University creates more opportunities for students across Moraine Park’s 10 district counties: Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Washington, plus portions of Calumet, Columbia, Marquette, Sheboygan, Waushara and Winnebago.

Through this agreement, students who complete AA or AS degrees at Moraine Park can transfer all credits earned as part of their programs (a minimum of 60 credits) directly to Marian University. Additional credits earned outside the program curricula will be evaluated individually.

Moraine Park began offering liberal arts degrees in 2022 as part of the University Transfer Degree program. Since then, the college has signed agreements with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Lakeland University and Ripon College.

• The Lakeshore

Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan Counties

Groundbreaking planned for Livasu Village this spring

Plans are underway to break ground this spring on Livasu Village in the Sheboygan County town of Wilson.

Thanks to a donation of 79 acres of land by the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Community Impact Fund, Dementia Innovations is creating a planned neighborhood of 124 homes in the town of Wilson. It will be the first neighborhood of its kind in the United States, with businesses that are open to the public, amenities such as a theater and hobby spaces, and care resources for residents with dementia, all embracing a degree of positive risk acceptance that will allow individuals to “live as usual” — the rallying cry that inspired the community’s unique name.

The strict regulations and dearth of risk acceptance that normally characterize operations at a care facility won’t affect Livasu Village, because the neighborhood concept relies on residents owning their own homes. The choice of using high-quality manufactured homes means Livasu is able to give residents the independence of home ownership while also allowing quick transfer of ownership and avoidance of the mortgage process.

Another major advantage of the home ownership concept is that residents can continue to live with spouses and welcome family visits whenever they please.

Dementia Innovations has conducted a capital campaign that has raised enough of the $13.5 million goal to allow for the project groundbreaking this spring.