• Interstate 41 Corridor
Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Winnebago Counties
Menasha Packaging announces $50 million expansion
Menasha Packaging announced a $50 million expansion at its preprinted graphic packaging facility in Neenah that will create 25 to 50 jobs.
Menasha will add a new eight-color plus varnish press as well as automation and robotics that will provide a wide range of run quantities and quick changeovers. The investments will double Menasha’s North American preprint capacity. This investment complements recent investments in Menasha’s graphic packaging technology, including digital flexo (short and long run), digital offset, litho laminate, and direct print for both corrugated and folding cartons.
“These investments are going to drive improvements in both quality and safety, while delivering incremental capacity and significant reductions in make ready and set up times,” said Jeff Krepline, executive vice president at Menasha. “This preprint hub will support a North American corrugated and pack out network that not only converts the preprint into graphic packaging boxes, but also fulfills a significant portion of the boxes with customer product when required.”
Mike Riegsecker, president of Menasha Packaging, said, “We’re committed to being the leader in North American preprinted graphic packaging solutions. We see these investments as something that underscores our unwavering commitment to our customers, to innovation, and community growth.”
Menasha’s preprint will be produced in Neenah, converted across the Menasha North American network, and final graphic packaging solutions will ship to all 50 states, Canada and Mexico.
ATW expands business park
Officials at Appleton International Airport broke ground on an aviation business park expansion. The first phase of the project consists of building a road connecting Endeavour Drive to State Highway 76 to allow for future development. The construction project is being executed by Murphy Concrete and Construction. In addition to building the road, other improvements include water, electric and gas utilities along with an expanded concrete apron.
The project is being funded by a $3 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration — the total expansion is estimated at $3.9 million. Road construction is expected to be completed in July 2025.
The site will open approximately 100 acres for development and provide space for up to 10 large airplane hangars. The business park opened in the 1990s with the most recent addition being the Gulfstream paint hangar completed in 2023.
“This is the next frontier of growth and development for the airport and the region,” said Airport Director Abe Weber. “We expect to attract businesses as diverse as aircraft maintenance, repair and aircraft manufacturing.”
The business park is minutes away from access to Interstate 41 and near the private airplane flight center and main terminal.
• West Central
Green Lake, Marquette, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara Counties
$3 million distributed from Otto Bremer Trust
The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region has distributed $3 million in grants from the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund with the Community Foundation to 79 nonprofit organizations in Northeast Wisconsin.
Selected as a partner in Otto Bremer Trust’s 2024 Community Responsive Fund pilot program, the Community Foundation was one of six intermediary partners chosen across the trust’s four-state region and one of two in Wisconsin.
Nonprofit organizations serving residents in Calumet, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca and the Neenah/Menasha area of Winnebago counties were eligible to apply for grants of up to $75,000. To qualify, requests needed to align with one or more of the fund’s four focus areas: basic needs, community asset building, health and wellbeing, or restorative and emergency services.
“The response to this opportunity was extraordinary, with 137 applications totaling $7.8 million in grant requests, underscoring the significant need for nonprofit support in the Fox Valley region,” said Curt Detjen, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.
Upon completion of an application, review and recommendation process conducted by the Community Foundation, 79 nonprofit organizations were approved by OBT to receive grants.
• The Northwoods
Florence, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto Counties
Bandshell opens in Crivitz after community fundraising effort
The Bob Berndt Theater opened at Crivitz Community Veterans Park.
The $250,000 project included a bandshell named after a longtime educator and concert band conductor in the community.
A grand opening and dedication drew a few hundred people and included a free concert featuring the 65-member Northeast Wisconsin Concert Band.
A group of community volunteers worked more than two years to raise funds for the project, according to Katie Deschane, clerk/treasurer for the village of Crivitz. Deschane said there are nine events already booked for 2025.
Design and construction of the bandshell was completed by volunteers and businesses who provided in-kind donations to keep costs manageable. Those included Perspective Design (Peter O’Gorek), Hugh Guy Land Surveying, Richlen Excavating, Richlen Concrete Foundations, Mid County Concrete, Crivitz Lumber Co., Ross Krzewina Construction, Tom Wiedemeier Sawmill, Richlen Enterprises. Fiedorowicz Landscaping, Kroll Painting, Witt’s Piggly Wiggly/Ace Hardware and Graese Electric.
HSHS names new leadership team
Hospital Sisters Health System introduced its newly formed team of executive leaders serving its Wisconsin Market at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.
Robert J. Erickson serves as HSHS Wisconsin Market president and CEO, with oversight of all four hospitals. He also serves as president and CEO for HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay. Erickson succeeded Brian Charlier in this role in April.
John Wagner serves as HSHS Wisconsin Market chief operating officer, a new role for the Wisconsin Market that provides leadership for the new chief administrative officer roles at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. Wagner previously served as president and CEO of the former HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals in Western Wisconsin.
Andrew Bowman serves as chief administrative officer at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital. He previously served HSHS and its physician partner, Prevea Health, as an executive director of specialty care at its former locations in western Wisconsin.
Colleen Koski was promoted to chief administrative officer at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.
Isabelle Garibaldi was recently named HSHS Wisconsin Market chief nursing officer. Ted Collison was named HSHS Wisconsin Market chief medical officer.
• The Lakeshore
Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan Counties
Kohler, Shipbuilder credit unions merger gains approval
Kohler Credit Union and Shipbuilders Credit Union announced their planned merger has received regulatory and member approval.
During the consolidation process Kohler Credit Union and Shipbuilders Credit Union will operate independently, while the integration management team works toward unification.
“This juncture signifies a critical step in our path toward transforming into a more dynamic financial institution, expanding our reach and capabilities to cater to the ever-changing needs of our members and community. Whether it involves promoting financial wellness, helping small businesses grow or engaging in volunteer efforts, our united credit union will be well-positioned to actively contribute as an engaged and committed partner,” stated Tony Klockow, president and CEO of Kohler Credit Union.
Mike Steimle, interim president and CEO of Shipbuilders Credit Union added, “In uniting the talent and expertise from both organizations, along with the high degree of similarities between the two, a smooth transition is anticipated for members and employees.”
Kohler Credit Union is a $615 million not-for-profit financial cooperative. Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in Sheboygan, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington or Waukesha counties, as well as their immediate family members and associations or organizations.
Shipbuilders Credit Union is a $116 million not-for-profit cooperative. Membership is open to anyone living or working in Manitowoc, Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee or Sheboygan counties.
Village of Cleveland gains medical rehab hospital
ClearSky Health broke ground on a 36-bed medical rehabilitation hospital in the Manitowoc County village of Cleveland.
ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital Lakeshore will provide specialized, rehabilitative care to about 650 patients annually who are living with disabling conditions like strokes, brain injuries, hip fractures, spinal injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or other medically-complex conditions.
The hospital’s services will differ from other rehabilitation programs, providing a level of care that’s available only through medical rehabilitation hospitals. Patients will receive individualized care from a physician-led interdisciplinary health care team that includes physical, occupational, and speech therapists; rehabilitative nurses; case managers; respiratory therapists; dietitians; and other health care professionals.
The new building will feature all private rooms, a rehabilitative gym with specialized equipment, a therapeutic courtyard, a dining room with a dedicated chef and activities and living spaces to emulate home conditions. It’s expected to create about 100 new health care jobs for the area with its opening planned for fall 2025.
