The New North, Encompass Early Education and Care and a city of Fond du Lac housing project were honored during the Wisconsin Economic Development Association Community and Economic Development Awards ceremony Sept. 26
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.
“Economic development drives growth and prosperity throughout Wisconsin, attracting capital investment, creating new jobs, and providing an improved quality of life for residents. However, the hard work of economic development professionals is usually underappreciated and often unrecognized,” said WEDA Interim President and CEO Kathryn Berger. “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; Community Impact; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention. The winners in each category were announced and celebrated at the awards ceremony attended by over 200 economic development professionals from across the state.
The New North Talent Campaigns won a CEDA Award in the Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention category, which recognizes initiatives or programs that document successful talent attraction, development, and retention outcomes. Due to an aging population and a shrinking workforce, the New North, a regional economic development organization in Northeast Wisconsin, developed an approach to attract more residents to fill open jobs across all industries in its18-county footprint.
Tapping into a WEDC Talent Marketing Co-op Grant and other private sector investment, New North implemented an extensive digital marketing campaign with multiple programs targeting specific demographic groups, including the “more YOU in NEW” campaign to attract millennials to the region, as well as the “Find your True North” program geared toward young professionals and outdoor enthusiasts using a targeted social media approach to promote the benefits of living in the New North. They also partnered with Mission Wisconsin on a digital campaign promoting the state’s veteran benefits that targets U.S. veterans living outside Wisconsin. The programs significantly boosted overall net migration and brought 81 veterans and their families to Northeast Wisconsin.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition for our talent attraction initiatives that have helped bring nearly 5,000 new residents to the New North over the past three years,” said Renee Torzala, New North Vice President Marketing and Investor Relations. “Studies show that authentic stories of real people are effective because they give a personal glimpse into someone’s life. We will keep sharing the compelling tories of our region to attract new talent to the great state of Wisconsin.”
Encompass Early Education and Care, Oconto Falls, won in the Business Retention and Expansion category. The project is collaboration with the Tourism and Economic Development Corporation for the Oconto Region and Oconto County Public Health. Their new childcare center, which opened in June 2024, provides 140 childcare slots and employs 18 teachers and aides. Over half of Oconto County’s labor force leaves the area daily due to childcare constraints. Encompass’s holistic family care approach ensures that parents can work confidently, knowing their children are in capable hands. This project exemplifies the power of vision and collaboration. Encompass’s legacy extends beyond bricks and mortar, standing as a testament to community resilience and commitment.
Brooke Street Lofts, Fond du Lac, won in the Community Impact category. Brooke Street Lofts is a historic adaptive reuse preservation of The Northern Casket Company building and Winnebago Cheese Factory in Fond du Lac. At one time the property hosted thriving casket and cheese businesses and supplied jobs to hundreds of Fond du Lac residents. Eventually the buildings were abandoned and continued to deteriorate.. These three-story brick buildings have been converted into 62 affordable housing units. The Northern Casket Company property also houses a community room, business center, fitness room, onsite property management office, and outdoor playground. The project focused on preserving as much historic detail and integrity as possible in these National Historic Register buildings, and created much-needed, affordable homes for the community. The $19.9 million project, which was completed in October 2023, was made possible through the successful efforts of the Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development, the City of Fond du Lac, numerous funders and lenders, and Commonwealth Construction.
