Get to know: Charlie Kudy
Administrator, village of Campbellsport
Along the southeastern border of Fond du Lac County, the village of Campbellsport is quietly undergoing a transformation from a sleepy borough of 2,000 residents into a hub of development. Charlie Kudy, a young professional with a background in real estate and finance, has been at the forefront of much of the village’s recent growth.
Growing up in west Milwaukee near Miller Parkway, Kudy got to see firsthand the evolution of 43rd Street from seed mills and factories to sprawling new development. His family’s involvement in community development fueled his interest in the field. Kudy earned a degree in finance with a real estate emphasis from UW-Whitewater, and he worked in San Francisco as a real estate analyst intern before the pandemic shifted his plans.
Upon returning to Wisconsin in 2020, Kudy assumed the role as administrator for the village of Campbellsport and discovered the community’s hidden potential.
“The availability of potential growth was really high, in my opinion,” he says. “The village board and community have been very supportive of me as a professional and the growth we’ve been bringing in.”
And the growth has been significant, especially in housing. Between 2005 and 2020, Kudy says, the village averaged one house built per year. In the last 32 months, however, 32 single-family homes have sprung up. The village’s net new construction percentage now leads the county at 4.2%, in contrast to the county’s 1.2%.
But Kudy’s vision extends beyond housing. He emphasizes the village’s comprehensive plan and outdoor recreational plan, in addition to the revitalization of its uptown district. In addition, last fall the village board approved a 10-year Street Capital Improvement Plan and will be completing $3 million of new road construction projects over the next two years.
Recruiting businesses to expand the industrial park and small businesses on Main Street are top priorities, says Kudy, who attributes the village’s growth to its collaborative community spirit.
“I see Campbellsport as being a magnet to bring people into Fond du Lac County,” he says. “The opportunities we can offer an individual to find both safety and prosperity are quite abundant.”
— Amelia Compton Wolff
Fun & games
Midwest Games, founded by former Netflix executive Ben Kvalo, announced its launch in August. The Green Bay-based video game publisher focuses on creating opportunities for Midwest talent and works in residence at the offices of partner and lead investor TitletownTech. “At Midwest Games, our journey began with a resolute commitment to empower the vast talent pool residing in under-served regions,” said Kvalo. “Our mission is to provide resources for these talented developers to shine. Collaborating with TitletownTech aligns perfectly with our vision, as their philosophy of nurturing and inspiring the next wave of entrepreneurs resonates deeply with us. Together, we’re poised to redefine the games industry, delivering stellar games and cultivating a thriving regional games ecosystem.”
Downtown development
Lawrence University and the Trout Museum of Art will partner in the construction of a new four-story, mixed-use building in the 300 block of East College Avenue between Durkee and Drew streets in downtown Appleton. The Trout Museum will occupy the first floor of the building at 315 E. College Ave., which will provide space for exhibitions, art classes, public events and community partnerships. Creating experiential learning spaces for students, expanded office spaces for faculty and staff, and inviting spaces for neighbors are priorities for Lawrence President Laurie A. Carter. “We prepare students for lives of achievement and citizenship — not in a vacuum, but as part of a global community, which begins here,” she said. Once construction of the new 120,000-square-foot facility is underway, the Boldt Company expects to complete it within 18 months. Frederick Fisher and Partners is doing design work.
Highly-rated hospitals
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which recently released its Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, reported that Wisconsin had the fourth-largest share of hospitals nationwide to receive the highest-possible ratings. The report examines 46 measures across five categories, including mortality, safety of care, readmissions, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Of the Wisconsin hospitals evaluated by CMS, 38% received the highest five-star rating. Only Utah, South Dakota and Montana had a larger share of hospitals receiving five-star ratings. Of those states, Wisconsin had the largest number of five-star hospitals at 29. An additional 39% of Wisconsin hospitals received four-star ratings, meaning 77% of state hospitals were rated four stars or more — a 15% increase from 2022.
