• The Lakeshore

Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan Counties

Sheboygan to host second Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge

In August, the Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge will return to Sheboygan for its second year.

Powerboat P1 released the 2024 P1 race calendar Jan. 9, and it includes the race in Sheboygan Aug. 9-11. The community hosted the inaugural race last August, and it generated an estimated $4.7 million into the area’s economy with more than 40,000 visitors.

The powerboat racing event and festival is organized by Powerboat P1, the Formula One Championship Series and Mercury Racing of Fond du Lac.

More than 40 race teams are expected to participate, with competitors hailing from around the world, including Australia, Italy, Sweden, Canada and Norway.

In 2023 Deland Park and Harbor Centre Marina served as the pit area for race teams to prepare their boats, and there were fan zones with vendors, merchandise, activities and free viewing of the races. The event included a block party and two days of racing. The Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge will be televised.

• West Central

Green Lake, Marquette, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara Counties

Alliant Energy completes Wautoma Solar Project

Alliant Energy announced the successful completion of its Wautoma Solar Project.

The 99-megawatt solar array, in the Waushara County town of Dakota and city of Wautoma, is a cost-effective generating facility that spans 624 acres and consists of nearly 240,000 solar panels. It can produce enough energy to power approximately 26,000 homes annually.

Using only sunlight for fuel, the state-of-the-art solar array automatically tracks the movement of the sun to maximize energy generation. On-site weather sensors enable the system to adjust quickly to changing conditions. The durable, high-performance bi-facial panels can also be rotated remotely to protect against high winds, snow or hail.

Construction on the project began in July 2022 and employed nearly 150 carpenters, electricians, operating engineers and laborers.

In addition to generating clean, zero-fuel-cost electricity for Alliant Energy customers, the Wautoma Solar Project delivers long-term economic and financial benefits to the town of Dakota, city of Wautoma, and Waushara County. The county and local communities are expected to receive a combined $12 million in new shared revenue over the 30-year life of the project. Local officials can choose to use the funds to support schools, workforce development efforts, road improvements and other public services.

Waupaca Foundry sold to Monomoy Capital Partners

Proterial, Ltd. announced the signing of a definitive agreement for Monomoy Capital Partners to acquire Waupaca Foundry, Inc., North America’s leading supplier of cast and machined iron castings.

Waupaca Foundry will continue to operate under its current management team led by president, CEO and COO Michael Nikolai. Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Wisconsin with operations dating back to 1871, Waupaca Foundry supplies gray and ductile iron to diverse markets using state-of-the-art processes and technology. Waupaca Foundry is the leading supplier of cast and machined iron castings for automotive, commercial vehicle, agriculture, construction and other industrial markets.

The company has more than 4,000 employees and operates five iron foundries with 1.4 million tons of capacity, making it one of the largest metal casting suppliers globally.

“Waupaca Foundry is excited to start a new chapter with Monomoy, an experienced, operationally-focused investment group, to continue to invest and grow our commitment to our customers, suppliers and employees,” said Nikolai. The transaction is expected to close in early 2024 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

• Interstate 41 Corridor

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

Froedtert and ThedaCare finalize combined health system

Froedtert Health and ThedaCare finalized their agreement to become a combined health organization Jan. 1.

Froedtert’s network includes 10 hospitals, more than 2,100 providers and 45 other locations as well as a partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin. It reported just over $3.4 billion in revenue during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

ThedaCare spans 17 counties with eight hospitals and 180 care locations. It employs about 7,000 providers and other workers and delivers care to more than 650,000 residents. The organization saw nearly $1.2 billion in revenue during the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2021.

Froedtert CEO Cathy Jacobson is initially serving in the role of CEO for the combined organization, and ThedaCare President and CEO Imran Andrabi will serve as president. After a six-month transition period, Jacobson will retire from the organization and Andrabi will assume the role of president and CEO of the combined organization.

Earlier this year, the organization named members of the combined executive team. The initial chair and vice chair roles of the board and committees will be equally shared between the parties — the initial board chair will be Jud Snyder, Froedtert Health’s current board chair, and the initial vice chair will be Jim Kotek, ThedaCare’s current board chair.

• The Northwoods

Florence, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto Counties

Study: Native-owned businesses key to paper industry

Wisconsin’s forest industry generates $23.4 billion annually and employs more than 50,000 people, according to a 2023 study conducted by the Wisconsin Paper Council and the University of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s Native population plays a vital role in the state’s paper industry, from tribes using sustainable practices in their logging businesses and entities like Menominee Tribal Enterprises (MTE) manufacturing lumber and forest products to Native-owned companies transporting lumber, pulp, paper and converted goods. Paper-converted goods include everything from toilet paper and facial wipes to food packaging and disposable medical gowns.

MTE manages a 235,000-acre forest, and its wood has been used to create the basketball courts at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and the Oshkosh Arena, among others. Just over a year ago, MTE received a $5 million federal grant through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to rebuild its sawmill in Neopit, which was originally constructed in 1905. The project will boost Wisconsin’s forest product industry and will create 50 jobs, retain 10 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment, according to government estimates.

MTE President Michael A. Skenadore said three Native-run organizations — Bay Bank, First American Capital Corporation and Woodland Financial Partners — make it financially possible for Native contractors and businesses to participate in Wisconsin’s forest product industry.

“The costs associated with the equipment needs of these hardworking and dedicated contractors are a huge barrier to entering this market. Without the support of these organizations, the barriers would prove to be too much,” Skenadore said.