Miron Construction’s Youth Apprenticeship program earned a 2025 Community and Economic Development Award from the Wisconsin Economic Development Association.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association awards ceremony was held in Oshkosh as part of its Fall Best Practices Conference. The CEDA Awards were established by WEDA to recognize economic development projects and programs, as well as businesses and organizations that have made significant contributions to Wisconsin’s economy.
“While economic development is critical to driving growth and prosperity across Wisconsin, the hard work of economic development practitioners is often underappreciated or even unrecognized,” said WEDA President and CEO Melissa Hunt. “The CEDA Awards provides a much-needed opportunity to celebrate economic development and the accomplishments of so many hard-working industry professionals. I am thrilled to congratulate each CEDA finalist and winner.”
Three CEDA finalists were selected in each of the four following CEDA categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Economic Development Initiative; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction, Development and Retention.
Miron Construction’s Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Program was the winner in the Talent Attraction, Development and Retention category. Launched in 2023, the program provides on-the-job training, industry certifications and mentorship from seasoned professionals, allowing students to apply classroom lessons in real-world settings while earning a paycheck. Guided by Miron’s educational engagement manager, apprentices receive individualized support, career exploration opportunities and structured pathways into registered apprenticeships. The program engages schools, parents and community partners to showcase the trades as rewarding, high-demand careers, while Construction Showcases and Career Signing Days celebrate student achievements and build pride in the profession.
Miron also was recognized as a partner in another award. The Kenosha Innovation Center earned the Economic Development Initiative category. The Kenosha Innovation Center is transforming a historic industrial site into a hub for entrepreneurship, technology and workforce development. Opening this fall, the 64,000-square-foot facility is the flagship project of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, a $24 million investment designed to fuel inclusive economic growth. Led by the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood in partnership with the city of Kenosha and Miron Construction, the Center provides flexible office space, R&D labs and collaborative environments. It will host workforce training programs, entrepreneurship accelerators and innovation-driven tenants in life sciences, tech and advanced industries.
Other winners were:
- FUNDiversity was recognized in the Business Retention and Expansion category. Launched in 2023 by the Ashland Area Development Corporation, FUNDiversity is designed to dismantle barriers faced by women, Native Americans, People of Color, LGBTQ+ and justice-involved entrepreneurs, FUNDiversity provides the tools needed to build lasting businesses. It is supported by a $1.88 million Diverse Business Assistance grant from Wisconsin’s Department of Administration.
- The Collective Campus/Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation was recognized in the Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse category. The Collective Campus, led by the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation, is a transformational redevelopment of the historic Bethesda Lutheran Home campus into a regional hub for health, housing, child care and community services. It is backed by more than $100 million in public, private and philanthropic investment.
