Insight on Business

20 | I NSIGH T • S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 0 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m • PLACES continued Renewal and growth Calumet County communities plan new developments Communities across Calumet County are in the midst of multiple projects designed to create more housing, remove blight and move forward with new developments designed to offer fresh, innovative opportunities within the county. Several major economic development efforts are underway in Brillion, led by the Brillion Works project. Ariens Co. is leading that project, which is clearing away many of the buildings on the property and creating space for new developments. Ariens already has a plant in one of the foundry's former buildings. Brillion Works also recently signed an agreement with KinderCare, a licensed child care facility with multiple locations. "at's one of the first non-manufacturing entities to announce and sign an agreement," says Mary Kohrell, community economic development director for Calumet County. Brillion Works leaders envision projects such as a local brew pub restaurant or condo-type housing units as part of the overall development, which is expected to take a decade or more. "ey know that it will be a long-term project but they've got some good momentum here on the front end," Kohrell says. Brillion Works is also marketing some commercial parcels along the Highway 10 corridor at the northernmost portion of the property, including discussions with some companies within Ariens' own supply chain, Kohrell says. "I think in a time of global pandemic and just not being sure how available your parts might be, this is really working to bring some of those suppliers basically next door," she says. Brillion Works and the city are working to relocate and redesign Horn Park, which was surrounded by parts of the foundry, as well as restoring a buried portion of Spring Creek, which ran under part of the structure. "at's a really cool aspect of the project — people love parks with water," Kohrell says. Ariens is also stepping out of manufacturing and into the hospitality industry by creating a new division, AriensCo Hospitality. e division was formed to manage Stone Prairie, a new event space located on Center Road in Brillion. Another major effort in Brillion is the City Center Apartment project, led by Andy Dumke of Northpointe Development. e four-story, 40-unit B Y N I K K I K A L L I O apartment building is funded with the help of Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority tax credits, so it will include some apartments for people with limited income as well as market- rate apartments. City Administrator Lori Gosz says at least 25 people are already on a waiting list for the housing, which should be ready for occupancy next June. "We had over the last few years heard from our industrial leaders that there was a need for (affordable) housing for their workers," she says. "Now, retirees hoping to sell their homes and move into more manageable properties will open their vacated home properties up for sale to young workers with families." e housing project is one part of the city's ongoing Main Street Square project, which includes a new city government building and upgrades to the neighboring community center to help revitalize the downtown area. "We're very excited that we have this opportunity for the city and our downtown especially," Gosz says. New Holstein New Holstein has applied for grants to help with the approximately $2.3 million cost of demolishing the former Tecumseh engine manufacturing facility, which sits on a 40-acre parcel on Michigan Avenue. e city applied for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) as well as Idle Sites Redevelopment Program grant funding through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., says Casey Langenfeld, administrator/clerk- treasurer. e municipality also created an Environmental Remediation tax incremental district for the parcels. "e property has been vacant now for over 10 years, basically just sitting there idle and falling apart," she says. "It's becoming a huge eyesore for our Ariens has stepped into the hospitality industry with its newly created division, AriensCo Hospitality. It was formed to operate and manage Stone Prairie, shown here, as well as Round Lake Farms, AriensCo Museum and the Brillion Works site. A R I E N S C O H O S P I T A L I T Y

• Cover