• West Central

Green Lake, Marquette, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara Counties

Waupaca outfitter named Outdoor Business of the Year

The 2025 Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards recipients included the Wisconsin State Park System and a Waupaca County outfitter.

The awards were presented June 26. Recipients are:

• ​Destination of the Year: Wisconsin State Park System
• Outdoor Business of the Year: Adventure Outfitters, LLC, Waupaca County
• ​​Trailblazer of the Year: Bill Menke, volunteer
• ​Tandem Award for Collaboration: Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s Field Trip Program
• Big Tent Award: Bill Bertram, Marathon County outdoor recreation organizer
• First Ascent Award for Innovation: The Glide by Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation Board
• Rising Star Award: Kennedy Domerchie, Outdoors ​Development Manager, Visit Eau Claire

Green Lake accepted into Main Street program

The Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s application for the Wisconsin Main Street Program was approved.

Main Street communities receive assistance with planning, design and marketing, as well as access to funding resources. The goal is to advance redevelopment in the downtown areas of participating communities. The program is administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, which also accepted Sun Prairie this year.

Ripon has participated in the Main Street program and earlier this year the Knuth Brewing Co. project was recognized as one of the best building renovations in the Main Street program.

Green Lake was a part of the 2022 Connect Communities program and through that focused on its downtown as well.

• Interstate 41 Corridor

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

Owners of Fond du Lac  retail fixture to retire

The owners of Edith’s Bridal & Tuxedo Junction in downtown Fond du Lac announced intentions to retire, but hope to sell the business and help transition a new owner.

Opened in 1937 as a women’s clothing store by founder Edith, the shop evolved over the decades to focus on bridal gowns and later expanded to include tuxedo rentals. In 1989 Edith’s great-nephew, Tom Deitte, took over ownership of Tuxedo Junction and with his wife Cathy has continued to lead the business.

Tuxedo Junction stocks and prepares each tuxedo or suit in-house, ensuring faster service and greater attention to detail. Edith’s is now a regional destination for bridal, prom, first communion and special occasion dresses, as well as tuxedo suits and tuxedo rentals.

The Deittes said they hope to sell the business as a turnkey retail operation. Meanwhile, the historic building has been purchased by local developer Sam Meyer. Meyer’s plans include maintaining the main floor as retail space while transforming the upper floor into residential suites. The property, which connects to 18 Hands Ale Haus, will also see an expanded biergarten and a permanent outdoor music stage.

NWTC reorganizes into six colleges

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College has reorganized its academic structure into six colleges.

A release said the change is designed to align programs with industry needs, expand student opportunities and ensure long-term success for graduates and communities.

“This is about more than reorganizing departments — it’s about making it easier for students to start, stay and succeed,” said NWTC Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development Kathryn Rogalski. “By aligning programs into six focused colleges, we’re creating clearer pathways through NWTC and into meaningful careers — while strengthening the connection between education, workforce and community.”

The six new colleges will include:

• College of Advanced Manufacturing & Skilled Trades
• College of Allied Health
• College of Business, Communication & Social Sciences
• College of Nursing
• College of Public Safety
• College of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)

This academic restructure reflects NWTC’s commitment to delivering career-focused education that evolves with the needs of students, employers and the region.

For example, at NWTC, STEM is among the most common transfer areas to four-year universities. Previously, programs like engineering technology were housed within the trades and engineering department, while much of the supporting coursework was spread across different academic areas. With the launch of the new College of STEM, students will have a more connected and supportive experience — with well-defined course plans, coordinated guidance from faculty and advisors and better access to transfer opportunities in their areas of study.

• The Northwoods

Florence, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto Counties

Marinette approves financing for new subdivision

The Marinette City Council has approved financing for a new subdivision on a portion of the city’s former Fleet Farm property.

Under the agreement, the city will provide a $3.4 million tax increment revenue bond payable through the increased tax increments generated by the property to Midwest Expansion of Suamico.

Midwest will buy the property for $350,000 and begin construction by Sept. 1, 2026. The developer agrees the subdivision value will increase to $1.2 million by Jan.1, 2026, $5 million by Jan.1, 2027 and $8.4 million by Jan.1, 2028.

Plans call for construction of a 25-lot subdivision on a cul-de-sac with street, curb, gutters and sidewalk. Lots are anticipated to be around 7,200 square feet and will have homes valued at $375,000.

It is the second project Midwest has developed in Marinette using TIF revenue bond financing. Midwest was previously provided $11.85 million for the development of a 12-building luxury condominium complex off University Drive on the city’s southeast side, scheduled to open this fall.

Stephenson National Bank rallies community for donations

Throughout April, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust rallied its employees, customers and communities to collect essential household items for local families in need.

Partnering with the Departments of Health and Human Services in Marinette and Oconto Counties, and with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in Menominee County, SNBT gathered hundreds of hygiene and cleaning products — from toothpaste and shampoo to laundry detergent and disinfecting wipes. There were donation drop-offs set up in every SNBT office. The donated items have now been delivered to each of the county offices, where they are ready to be distributed to families.

The drive was part of the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s Power of CommUNITY campaign.

• The Lakeshore

Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan Counties

Door County business expanding into Green Bay

Healthy Way Market, a longtime natural foods grocery store rooted in Sturgeon Bay, is expanding to Green Bay.

The business plans to open a second location in the former Austin’s/Sal’s Foods building in Allouez. Owner Adam Goettelman’s connection to the grocery trade dates back to 1916, when his great-grandfather, Henry Goettelman, co-founded a dry goods company in Sturgeon Bay. Adam Goettelman came to grocery through farming, having operated a community-supported agriculture farm — one of whose many wholesale customers was Healthy Way Market.

Goettelman purchased the store in 2015, and under his leadership the Sturgeon Bay location has expanded twice from its original 800-square-foot home, becoming an anchor business downtown.

Goettelman’s wife, Caitlin Oleson, is formally joining the team after a career in the natural grocery industry. The team is aiming to open the Green Bay store in fall 2025, with plans for continued improvements in Sturgeon Bay as well.

Arch Solar relocating headquarters

Arch Solar is relocating its headquarters from Plymouth to Milwaukee.

A new 14,000-square-foot facility is expected to house approximately 45% of Arch Solar’s 150 employees, with plans to add 30 new jobs.

“This strategic move reflects the growing demand for renewable energy solutions here in Milwaukee and across the state,” said Jolynn Van Ginkel, vice president of Arch Solar. “We’re well-positioned to help our customers make the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

Arch Solar was founded in 2003 in Plymouth and has offices in Milwaukee, Madison and Plymouth. It works with residential, commercial and utility customers.

“The expansion in Milwaukee underscores our commitment to supporting the city of Milwaukee’s climate and equity plan by expanding renewable energy access across the city,” Van Ginkel said. “By making solar energy more accessible and affordable for all residents — especially in underserved neighborhoods — we’re not just reducing the carbon footprint, we’re lowering energy costs, creating green jobs and building a more resilient city for generations to come.”