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we are providing a lot of menu options for people looking to have events in Oshkosh," Rathjen says. The new welcome center and the hotel renovation are the latest additions to a downtown area that is seeing growth on numerous fronts, says Rob Kleman, senior vice president for economic development at the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce. "We are seeing a lot of energy and action in the downtown and I think it can be traced back to the Downtown Action Plan from 2000 that led to the construction of the Leach Amphitheater, the River Walk and other projects," he says. The city completed construction of the River Walk between the amphitheater and the UW-Oshkosh campus last summer. Kleman says that project is bringing people back to the river and opening up more commercial and residential and development opportunities. The newest residential project going up is The Rivers II, an 80-unit apartment complex designed with young professionals in mind. The facility is near The Rivers, an already completed senior living complex that is part of the Marion Road Redevelopment Area. "There's a lot of positive stuff going on," says Kleman, adding the downtown has a stable base of employment with companies like 4Imprint and Silver Star Brands (formerly known as Miles Kimball). "That leads to more interest in commercial projects since the people living and working in the downtown are looking for places to eat and shop." Growth sectors While Oshkosh Corp. has driven the community's economy in recent years, the company's defense sector announced job cuts last spring, putting hundreds out of work. The area's unemployment rate remains below the state average, however, because other manufacturers, including the Bemis Co., are on the lookout for workers, A closer look For more information about the business and industry cluster study completed for the Oshkosh Area Economic Development Marketing Group, please visit www.opportunityoshkosh.com. Kleman says. "We're seeing a lot of growth in the tech sector," he says, pointing to companies such as DealerFire, ImproMed and Oracular. "The close connection to UW-Oshkosh and Fox Valley Technical College means there is a pool of workers here. The talent base we have here fuels job growth and the downtown environment is what these companies are looking for. We want to continue growing our IT sector." DealerFire, a company that makes websites and handles online advertising for car dealers, has added 50 employees within the past couple of years and ImproMed, which makes veterinary practice management software systems, opened a new headquarters early last [continued] » Trash and Recycling Containers for Rent or Lease • Commercial or Residential Lease and Rental Options • Combine all of your recyclables in one container with our Single Stream Recycling Service • Flexible delivery and pickup schedule • Competitive Pricing AVAILABLE SIZES: 2, 4, 6, 8, 20 & 30 cubic yard containers WINNEBAGO COUNTY SOLID WASTE 920.232.1850 / 920.727. 2896 Outside the Fox Valley 866.424.1850 105 W. County Road Y • Oshkosh www.co.winnebago.wi.us/solid-waste w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m J a n u a r y 2 014 • Insight | 37