Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/1172004
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m O c t o b e r 2 0 19 • I NSIGH T | 19 NORTHWOODS MARINETTE FLORENCE OCONTO MENOMINEE SHAWANO WAUPACA OUTAGAMIE BROWN WINNEBAGO KEWAUNEE DOOR MANITOWOC CALUMET WAUSHARA MARQUETTE GREEN LAKE FOND DU LAC SHEBOYGAN D O Y O U H AV E T I M E TO M A N A G E Y O U R F L E E T ? W E C A N H E L P . ( 9 2 0 ) 7 2 9 - 5 1 5 1 F L E E T M A N A G E M E NT S E R V IC E S Attracting development Florence County is making headway in opening an assisted living facility. Wendy Gehlhoff, economic development director for Florence County, says market studies have shown a need for the facility. e most recent study, completed in 2018, revealed a waiting list for this type of service within an hour radius. "ere's a big need up here, and it's only going to get bigger as the population ages," she says. e county would like to see a senior facility that includes independent living, assisted living and memory care. Gehlhoff says the county is working with a developer on a 35-unit concept that includes space for expansion. She'd like to see it break ground next spring. In 2017, Florence County saw the highest tourism spending growth in the state, increasing 16.7 percent to $5.7 million. Gehlhoff says the spike was helped by an event that only happens every eight years — the Upper Peninsula Volunteer Firefighters Tournament brought 10,000 visitors. A renovation at Florence Middle and High School also brought contractor stays. Overall, though, Gehlhoff says tourism is trending upward, increasing 12.5 percent over the last two years. e county offers abundant year- round outdoor recreation opportunities from its wild rivers and waterfalls to snowmobiling and all-terrain vehicle riding. Florence County's Facebook page boasts more than 9,800 likes. While the county is home to many campgrounds and cabin and cottage rentals as well as two bed and breakfast locations, it doesn't have any hotels. Gehlhoff says the county has a parcel of land it's willing to give away for free for development and has a TIF district available to provide financial assistance. It would like to see a 30- to 40-room hotel open. "We just see there's so much potential because of all the outdoor recreation," she says. "ere's a pent-up demand." Florence County is home to abundant natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. The county offers many campgrounds and cabin rentals and would like to add a hotel to the mix. F L O R E N C E C O U N T Y