Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/85110
The Heidel House Resort & Spa (above) and golf courses draw visitors from the Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison areas to the tri-county region of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara counties. "Everyone is feeling positive right now about the impact of tourism on the local economy. For the first two quarters of 2012, our room tax revenues are up substantially." –Loni Meiborg, executive director of the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Green Lake is also home to the Green Lake Conference Center, a Christian conference and leadership center, which can host up to 1,000 people. The center is also home to the noted Golf Courses of Lawsonia. The center recently added a ropes course, which can be used for teambuilding activities. "Everyone is feeling positive right now about the impact of tourism on the local economy, "For the first two quarters of 2012, our room tax revenues are up substantially. " Meiborg says. " Reusing old spaces Tourism is only one driver of the local economy in the tri-county region, says Bill Wheeler, executive director of the Tri-County Regional Economic Development Corporation. Manufacturing and agriculture also play a role. One theme Wheeler has seen in the past couple of years is that companies and organizations are 46 | INSIGHT • October 2012 expanding into previously empty facilities. For example, EuroPlast LLC, a plastic injection molding company in Endeavor, purchased equipment and a new product line and then opened a new facility in Westfield to house the additional business. Seventeen new jobs were created. Magnum Products LLC, a supplier of powerful, high-quality light towers, mobile generators, trash pumps, water trailers and combination power units in Berlin, is also leasing additional space to handle its increased growth. "We are running out of empty ON THE WEB Tri-County Regional Economic Development Corporation: www.tcredc.org Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce: www.visitgreenlake.com Courthouse and transformed it into a community center. About half of the building's 60,000-square-feet have been renovated, Wheeler says. The building has four categories of industrial buildings and I think we will soon begin seeing companies putting up new facilities," Wheeler says. "The mood is positive and we're not only seeing local expansions, but also interest from outside of the area." Another building finding new life is the Green Lake Town Square, which is owned by The Cornerstone Project, a non-profit organization. The group took the historic Green Lake County tenants – arts and culture; health and wellness; energy and environment; and workforce and education. Meiborg is excited about the old jail kitchen being renovated into a commercial kitchen that can be rented out to entrepreneurs. "That is going to open up more possibilities to businesses just starting out, Madison also has a resource room onsite and plans to host a variety of lectures in the old courtroom. "The Green Lake Town Square is The University of Wisconsin- " she says. a nice addition to the area and will not only benefit local residents, but also serve as an attraction, too, Wheeler says. " www. insightonbusiness.com COURTESY OF THE GREEN LAKE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE