A Bridge Befitting the St. Croix Valley

SCEDC BLOG

A Bridge Befitting the St. Croix Valley

BY BILL RUBIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

After four plus years of construction and an earlier year that brought exploratory borings into bedrock at the bottom of the St. Croix River, a new legacy bridge connecting St. Croix (WI) and Washington counties will soon open.

That’s right, a legacy bridge — in a special corner of the world – the St. Croix Valley.

Of greater importance, the new bridge treats the federally protected St. Croix River with dignity and respect. A Wild and Scenic River deserves this.

The modified cable stay design, or extradosed design, creates the legacy element for the St. Croix Valley. It will be the second extradosed bridge in the U.S.

The best views of a body of water are sometimes from atop a bridge. Visitors to the St. Croix Valley will enjoy the panoramic views from the multi-use path and scenic overlooks on the upstream side of the bridge.

The old will connect with the new. The vintage, 1931 Lift Bridge in Stillwater, MN will close to vehicular traffic and paved paths in both Wisconsin and Minnesota will connect recreationalists to the new St. Croix Crossing.

After decades of debate, there’ll soon be cause for celebration.

April Unemployment Rate at 2.7%

Recent News

St. Croix County’s April Unemployment Rate at 2.7%

On May 24th, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced the preliminary April 2017 unemployment rates for Wisconsin’s 72 counties and the 32 cities with populations greater than 25,000 residents. St. Croix County’s rate was estimated at 2.7%. For comparison, St. Croix’s final rate in March was 3.7% and February’s final rate was 4.6%. One year ago, the county’s unemployment rate was estimated at 2.7%.

DWD said preliminary unemployment rates for April decreased in all 72 counties when compared to April 2016 as well as March 2017. The current rates ranged from 2.1% in Dane County to 7.4% in Iron.

The April 2017 preliminary unemployment rates decreased in all of Wisconsin’s 32 municipalities with population bases of least 25,000 residents when compared to April 2016 and over the month to March 2017. The April rates ranged from 2.1% in Madison to 3.8% in Racine.

Dane County had the lowest rate in April at 2.1%, followed by Lafayette (2.2%), Calumet (2.4%), Fond du Lac (also at 2.4%), and Green (also at 2.4%). Iron County had the highest rate in April at 7.4%, followed by Menominee (6.5%), Bayfield (5.8%), Forest (5.5%), and Vilas (5.4%).

St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, and Dunn counties comprise Wisconsin’s Greater St. Croix Valley. In addition to St. Croix referenced above, Dunn County’s preliminary rate for April was estimated at 2.9%. Pierce’s rate in April was estimated at 3.0% and Polk’s rate was 3.6%. The current rates in all four counties are lower compared to April 2016.

St. Croix and Pierce counties are included in the 16-county Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI metro area. The April 2017 unemployment rate for the Twin Cities was estimated at 3.3%, which is lower than the final rate of 3.8% in March and February’s final rate of 4.2%. The unemployment rate in the Twin Cities was 3.3% in April 2016 as well as March 2017.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate for Wisconsin in April was estimated at 3.2%, which is lower than the final rate of 3.4% in March and February’s final rate of 3.7%. One year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 4.1%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in Minnesota in April 2017 was estimated at 3.8%, which is the same as the final rate in March and lower than February’s final rate of 4.0%. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted rate one year ago was 3.8%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in the U.S. for April was estimated at 4.4%, which is lower than the final rate of 4.5% in March and February’s final rate of 4.8%. One year ago the U.S. rate (seasonally adjusted) was estimated at 5.0%.

Wisconsin’s preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for April 2017 was estimated at 68.6%, which is higher than the final of 68.4% in March and February’s final rate of 68.3%. One year ago, Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate was 68.8%. The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for the U.S. in April was estimated at 62.9% which is lower than the final rate of 63.0% in both March and February. One year ago, the labor force participation rate in the U.S. was 62.8%.

April’s estimates are preliminary and are subject to revision within the next few weeks.

April 2017 Unemployment table
April 2017 Unemployment Comparison
April 2017 Participation Rate

St. Croix EDC Elects Officers & Directors at Annual Meeting

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EDC Elects Officers & Directors at Annual Meeting

St. Croix EDC President Rob O’Keefe

Rob O’Keefe
President

St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (EDC) held its annual meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Rob O’Keefe, the Director of Information Technology at OEM Fabricators (Woodville, WI) was elected to a one-year term as Board President. He has served on the St. Croix EDC board since 2015 and replaces Agnes Ring who completed her term as President. Ring remains on the Board and will continue to serve on the executive committee in her new role as Past President.

Jill Gorres, an Employee Benefits Specialist at JA Counter (New Richmond, WI) was re-elected First Vice President.

Brian Elwood, manager, community relations, with Xcel Energy (Hudson) was elected Second Vice President.

David Tyvoll was elected Corporate Secretary/Treasurer. He is a commercial lender with First American Bank N.A. (Hudson). Tyvoll resides in New Richmond.

Brett Anderson (St. Croix Advisors) and David Tyvoll were re-elected to 3-year terms on the board.

Angela Popenhagen

Angela Popenhagen
New Board Member

Matt Sparks

Matt Sparks
New Board Member

Angela Popenhagen, P.E., LEED AP, and Matt Sparks were elected to initial 3-year terms on the board. Popenhagen is a principal with Stevens Engineers (Hudson) and Sparks is the General Manager of Baldwin LightStream (Baldwin). Both companies are longtime members-supporters of St. Croix EDC.

The board of directors accepted the 2016 financial review from Guinn, Vinopal & Zahradka, LLP.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a plaque was presented to Agnes Ring for her service as President. Paul Schwebach and Duane Russett also received mementos for serving on the board.

EDC President and Past President
EDC Past President Agnes Ring and Paul Schwebach
EDC Past President Agnes Ring and Duane Russett

(l to r) Agnes Ring accepted a memento for her service as President from current President Rob O’Keefe. Agnes Ring presenting mementos to departing directors Paul Schwebach and Duane Russett for serving on the board.

March Unemployment Rate at 3.7%

On April 26th, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced the preliminary March 2017 unemployment rates for Wisconsin’s 72 counties and the 32 cities with populations greater than 25,000 residents. St. Croix County’s rate was estimated at 3.7%. For comparison, St. Croix’s final rate in February was 4.6% and January’s final rate was 4.2%. One year ago, the county’s unemployment rate was estimated at 4.7%.

DWD said preliminary unemployment rates for March decreased in all 72 counties when compared to March 2016 and in 71 of 72 counties when compared to February 2017. The current rates ranged from 2.5% in Dane County to 7.9% in Iron.

The March 2017 preliminary unemployment rates decreased in all of Wisconsin’s 32 municipalities with population bases of least 25,000 residents when compared to March 2016. The March rates ranged from 2.3% in Madison to 5.7% in Beloit.

Dane County had the lowest rate in March at 2.5%, followed by Ozaukee (2.8%), Calumet (2.9%), Fond du Lac (3.0%), and Sheboygan (also at 3.0%). Iron County had the highest rate in March at 7.9%, followed by Bayfield (7.4%), Menominee (7.1%), Sawyer (6.8%), and Burnett (also at 6.8%).

St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, and Dunn counties comprise Wisconsin’s Greater St. Croix Valley. In addition to St. Croix referenced above, Pierce County’s preliminary rate for March was estimated at 4.0%. Dunn’s rate in March was estimated at 4.1% and Polk’s rate was 5.1%. The current rates in all four counties are lower compared to March 2016.

St. Croix and Pierce counties are included in the 16-county Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI metro area. The March 2017 unemployment rate for the Twin Cities was estimated at 3.8%, which is lower than February’s and January’s final rate of 4.2%. The unemployment rate in the Twin Cities was 4.0% in March 2016.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate for Wisconsin in March was estimated at 3.4%, which is lower than the final rates of 3.7% in February and 3.9% in January. One year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 4.1%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in Minnesota in March 2017 was estimated at 3.8%, which is lower than February’s and January’s final rate of 4.0%. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted rate one year ago was 3.9%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in the U.S. for March was estimated at 4.5%, which is lower than the final rate of 4.7% in February and January’s final rate of 4.8%. One year ago the U.S. rate (seasonally adjusted) was estimated at 5.0%.

Wisconsin’s preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for March 2017 was estimated at 68.4%, which is higher than the final rate of 68.3% in February 68.1%. One year ago, Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate was 68.5%. The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for the U.S. in March was estimated at 63.0% which is the same as the final rate for February but higher than higher than January’s final rate of 62.9%. One year ago, the labor force participation rate in the U.S. was 63.0%.

March’s estimates are preliminary and are subject to revision within the next few weeks.

unemploymenttable_1703 pr_unemployment comparison_1703

 

 

 

Participation Rate1703

2016 Traveler Spending Up in the Greater St. Croix Valley

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2016 Traveler Spending Up in the Greater St. Croix Valley

State’s Tourism Spending up 3.28% to $12.31 Billion

The 2016 traveler spending in St. Croix County increased 6.6% to $106.2 million according to an annual analysis released May 5th by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. St. Croix’s $106.2 million from travelers resulted in total business sales of $176.1 million, reflecting a 5.57% increase from 2015. This spending supported an estimated 1,909 jobs (+4.39% from 2015) in St. Croix and generated $13.4 million in state and local tax revenues (+%.47% from 2015).

Statewide, travelers spent an estimated $12.31 billion in 2016, a 3.28% increase from 2015.  Total business sales from tourists were estimated at $1.9967 billion (+3.5% increase from 2015).  Tourism and traveler-supported employment in Wisconsin in 2016 was estimated at 193,454 jobs (+1.44% from 2015). Tourism also provided the state with tax revenues of $1.505 billion in 2016 (+2.47% increase from 2015).

St. Croix, Polk, Pierce, and Dunn counties comprise the Greater St. Croix Valley. Visitor spending in 2016 for the 4-county region was estimated at $261.20 million compared to $253.3 million in 2015 (a 3.12% increase from 2015). In addition to St. Croix’s estimated $106.2 million, 2016 visitor and traveler spending in Polk increased to $83.6 million (+1.88% from 2015). Spending in Dunn County for 2016 was estimated at $45.5 million, compared to $46.7 million in 2015 (a 2.74% decline). Pierce County’s spending from travelers increased to $25.9 million from 24.9 in 2015 (+4.05%). Because of the Greater St. Croix Valley’s proximity to the 16-county Twin Cities metro area, many visitors enjoy day trips to the Valley and return to their homes without incurring expenses on lodging. Overnight stays would certainly increase traveler spending in the Great St. Croix Valley.

Total business sales from travelers and visitors to the Greater St. Croix Valley in 2016 were estimated at $433.7 million compare to $419.1 million in 2015 (a +3.48% increase). Business sales in St. Croix County were estimated at $176.1 million (+5.57% increase from 2015), followed by $126.7 million in Polk (+2.61% increase from 2015), $81.0 million in Dunn (+0.14% from 2015), and $49.9 million in Pierce (+4.16% from 2015).

Tourism-related employment in the Greater St. Croix Valley for 2016 was estimated at 4,249 jobs (+1.89% from 2015). In addition to the estimated 1,909 tourism-related jobs in St. Croix, there were 1,070 in Polk (+1.0% from 2015), 849 in Dunn (-1.06% from 2015), and 421 in Pierce (-0.27% from 2015).

State and local tax revenues attributable to visitors and travelers in the Greater St. Croix Valley for 2016 were estimated at $31.2 million (+2.63% from 2015). Tax revenues in St. Croix were estimated at $13.4 million, followed by Polk with $8.8 million, Dunn with $5.9 million, and Pierce with $3.1 million.

Milwaukee is the state’s top county for visitor spending estimated at $1.931 billion. The other counties in the Top 10 include Dane ($1.213 billion in visitor spending); Sauk ($1.047 billion); Waukesha ($742.9 million); Brown ($637 million); Walworth ($528.9 million); Door ($347.8 million); Outagamie ($339.5 million); La Crosse ($248.1million); and  Winnebago (242.5 million).

Tourism is one of Wisconsin’s top three industries along with manufacturing and agriculture.

For additional information, or to read the 2016 Economic Impact of Tourism in Wisconsin go to http://industry.travelwisconsin.com/research/economic-impact and select the topic: “County Total Impact”.

Tourism Spending Table for 2016

Featured Properties March 2017

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Featured Properties March 2017

Available Properties St. Croix County, Wisconsin

St. Croix EDC is collaborating with colleagues from Polk, Pierce, and Dunn counties to create a quarterly marketing piece of randomly selected available properties available for sale or lease throughout the Greater St. Croix Valley. For information on additional available buildings, check here.

The flyer is published quarterly and new properties are included in each new edition. It is done in collaboration with Xcel Energy.

Featured Properties March 2017
Featured Properties March 2017

February Unemployment Rate is 4.6%

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February Unemployment Rate is 4.6%

On March 29th, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced the preliminary unemployment rate for February 2017 for Wisconsin’s 72 counties and the 32 cities with populations greater than 25,000 residents. St. Croix County’s rate was estimated at 4.6%. For comparison, St. Croix’s final rate in January was 4.2% and December’s final rate was 3.7%. One year ago, the county’s unemployment rate was estimated at 4.9%.

DWD said preliminary unemployment rates for February decreased or remained the same in 71 of 72 counties when compared to February 2016. The current rates ranged from 3.1% in Dane County to 8.6% in Iron.

The February 2017 preliminary unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in 30 of Wisconsin’s 32 municipalities with population bases of least 25,000 residents when compared to February 2016. The February rates ranged from 2.9% in Madison to 6.3% in Racine.

Dane County had the lowest rate in February at 3.1%, followed by Ozaukee (3.5%), Calumet (3.6%), Sheboygan (also at 3.7%), and Fond du Lac (3.8%). Iron County had the highest rate in February at 8.6%, followed by Bayfield (8.3%), Adams (8.0%), Burnett (7.8%), and Sawyer (7.4%).

St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, and Dunn counties comprise Wisconsin’s Greater St. Croix Valley. In addition to St. Croix referenced above, Dunn County’s preliminary rate for February was estimated at 4.9%. Pierce’s rate in February was estimated at 5.1% and Polk’s rate was 6.2%. The current rates in all four counties are lower compared to February 2016.

St. Croix and Pierce counties are included in the 16-county Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI metro area. The February 2017 unemployment rate for the Twin Cities was estimated at 4.2%, which is the same as January’s final rate but higher than December’s final rate of 3.6%. The unemployment rate in the Twin Cities was 4.0% in February 2016.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate for Wisconsin in February was estimated at 3.7%, which is lower than the final rate of 3.9% for January and 4.1% for December. One year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 4.5%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in Minnesota in January 2017 was estimated at 4.0% which is the same as the final rate for both January and December. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted rate one year ago was 3.9%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in the U.S. for February was estimated at 4.7%, which is lower than the final rate of 4.8% in January and the same as December’s final. One year ago the U.S. rate (seasonally adjusted) was estimated at 4.9%.

Wisconsin’s preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for February 2017 was estimated at 68.3%, which is higher than the final rate of 68.1% in January and December’s final rate of 68.0%. One year ago, Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate was 68.7%. The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for the U.S. in January was estimated at 63.0% which is higher than the final rate of 62.9% for January and December’s final rate of 62.7%. One year ago, the labor force participation rate in the U.S. was 62.9%.

February’s estimates are preliminary and are subject to revision within the next few weeks.

February 2017 Unemployment Rate Table
February 2017 Unemployment Comparison
Labor Force Participation Rate February 2017

January Unemployment Rate at 4.2%

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January Unemployment Rate at 4.2%

On March 15th, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced the preliminary January 2017 unemployment rate for Wisconsin’s 72 counties and the 32 cities with populations greater than 25,000 residents. St. Croix County’s rate was estimated at 4.2%. For comparison, St. Croix’s final rate in December was 3.7% and November’s final rate was 3.4%. One year ago, the county’s unemployment rate was estimated at 4.5%.

DWD said preliminary unemployment rates for January decreased or remained the same in 71 of 72 counties when compared to January 2016. The current rates ranged from 2.9% in Dane County to 8.0% in Bayfield.

The January 2017 preliminary unemployment rates decreased in all of Wisconsin’s 32 municipalities with population bases of least 25,000 residents when compared to January 2016. The January rates ranged from 2.7% in Fitchburg and Madison to 5.7% in Racine

Dane County had the lowest rate in January at 2.9% followed by Ozaukee (3.3%), Calumet (3.4%), Sheboygan (also at 3.4%), and Washington (3.5%). Bayfield County had the highest rate in January at 8.0%, followed by Iron (7.8%), Adams (7.2%), Burnett (7.1%), and Sawyer (6.9%).

St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, and Dunn counties comprise Wisconsin’s Greater St. Croix Valley. In addition to St. Croix referenced above, Dunn County’s preliminary rate for January was estimated at 4.6%. Pierce’s rate in January was estimated at 4.9% and Polk’s rate was 5.7%. The current rates in all four counties are lower or remained the same compared to January 2016.

St. Croix and Pierce counties are included in the 16-county Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI metro area. The January 2017 unemployment rate for the Twin Cities was estimated at 4.2%, which is higher than December’s final rate of 3.6% and November’s final rate of 3.0%. The unemployment rate in the Twin Cities was 3.9% in January 2016.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate for Wisconsin in January was estimated at 3.9%, which is lower than the final rate of 4.1% for both December and November. One year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 4.3%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in Minnesota in January 2017 was estimated at 4.0% which is the same as the final rate for both December and November. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted rate one year ago was 3.9%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in the U.S. for January was estimated at 4.8%, which is higher than the final rate of 4.7% in December and November’s final rate of 4.6%. One year ago the U.S. rate (seasonally adjusted) was estimated at 4.9%.

Wisconsin’s preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for January 2017 was estimated at 68.1%, which is lower than the final rate of 68.0% in December and November’s final rate of 68.4%. One year ago, Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate was 68.4%. The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for the U.S. in January was estimated at 62.9%, which is higher the final rate of 62.7% for December and November’s final rate of 62.6%. One year ago, the labor force participation rate in the U.S. was 62.7%.

January’s estimates are preliminary and are subject to revision within the next few weeks.

Unemployment Rate Jan 2017
Annual Unemployment Comparison January 2017
Labor Force Participation Rate January 2017

Reflections: 2016 Business of the Year Winners

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Reflections: 2016 Business of the Year Winners

Business of the Year Winners 2016
On February 16th, St. Croix EDC honored its 2016 business of the year winners at R&D Banquet Hall in New Richmond, Wisconsin. Pictured above are Agnes Ring, EDC President, Todd Loehr of Wisconsin Lighting (Small Business), Trevor Wirtanen and Matt Wallace of  Oliphant Brewing (Emerging Business), Matt Johnston and Ruthie Johnston of Croix Gear and Machining (Business of the Year), and 2016 Directors award winner Trudy Popenhagen.

St. Croix EDC conducted its 23rd annual Business of the Year on February 16. Bill Rubin, the EDC’s executive director, considers himself a fortunate guy, having assisted in 21 of the 23 banquets. He notes the acceptance speeches from the honorees can be moving, and attendees at the February 16th banquet witnessed four exceptional messages.

The partners at Oliphant Brewing, the Emerging Business of the Year, weren’t sure what a business plan contained, but worked with advisors like the Small Business Development Center. A micro loan was secured through the Regional Business Fund and Oliphant was launched.

Wisconsin Lighting, the 2016 Small Business of the Year, is prospering as a manufacturer, proving skeptics wrong that you don’t have move jobs overseas to succeed. Just days before the banquet, billionaire Mark Cuban suggested that manufacturing in the U.S. was dead. Wisconsin Lighting offers evidence to the contrary.

The owner-CEO of Croix Gear & Machining, the 2016 Business of the Year, was thrust into those roles in 2010 following the death of her husband. She surrounded herself with good business advisors including a general manager to oversee production. Croix Gear is thriving as evidenced by a major expansion in 2016 to commemorate its 50th year in Hudson.

Trudy Popenhagen is a very worthy recipient of the EDC Directors Award. Name an EDC or business organization in the St. Croix Valley and you’ll likely confirm Trudy’s leadership and lasting legacy. She served six years on St. Croix EDC’s board as well as a year as president.

Four honorees and four impactful messages. Multiply this over 23 years and it’s easy to see why many of the EDC’s core activities revolve around business retention, expansion, recruitment, and new business start-ups.

St. Croix EDC Names Top Businesses and Individual for 2016

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St. Croix EDC Names Top Businesses and Individual for 2016

SCEDC President Agnes Ring

Agnes Ring / President
St. Croix County Supervisor

Agnes Ring, president of St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (EDC), announced the Business of the Year winners. Oliphant Brewing LLC (Village of Somerset), Wisconsin Lighting, Inc. (City of New Richmond), and Croix Gear and Machining (City of Hudson) are recipients of the 2016 Business of the Year awards in St. Croix County, Wisconsin.

The EDC board of directors also named Trudy Popenhagen as the recipient of the 2016 EDC Directors Award.

The companies and Ms. Popenhagen will be honored at a banquet on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Ready Randy’s in New Richmond.

“The 2016 winners reflect all that is good about doing business in St. Croix County, Wisconsin,” said EDC President Agnes Ring.  “Oliphant is a start-up brewery with an edgy attitude and a destination taproom. Wisconsin Lighting has a stellar reputation as a manufacturer of distinctive lamps, lampshades, and decorative accessories. Croix Gear and Machining has a 50-year history in Hudson as an advanced manufacturer of close tolerance gears for national customers.  Trudy Popenhagen is a tireless supporter of economic development, tourism, and civic organizations. In all of St. Croix County it would be hard to find someone more engaged in enhancing our quality of life through her hands-on work with local organizations.

About the 2016 Winners

Oliphant Brewing is the 2016 Emerging Business of the Year (based in St. Croix County and in business for five or fewer years). The business was launched in 2012 by co-founders Trevor Wirtanen and Matthew Wallace. Oliphant is located in leased space at Main and Depot Streets in Somerset. The space includes the brewing operation, taproom, storage and warehouse, and cold room for the dozen or so alternating beers for the taproom patrons. The exterior of the brewery features two murals there were created by local artists. A chalkboard sign in the taproom describing the beer selections is also a work of art. Wirtanen and Wallace self-distribute their products to other parts of Wisconsin, and in late 2016, they gained regulatory approval to self-distribute into Minnesota. Oliphant’s 32-ounce cans, called crowlers, set their products apart from other breweries. Learn more at www.oliphantbrewing.

Wisconsin Lighting is the 2016 Small Business of the Year (29 or fewer employees). Wisconsin Lighting is a national manufacturer of lamps, lampshades, note cards, gift bags, candles, craft products, and decorative accessories, all from New Richmond, Wisconsin. The company specializes in supplying new, distinctive, and innovative products for department stores, the hospitality industry, craft retailers, lighting showrooms, furniture and accessory retailers, and catalog merchandisers. Wisconsin Lighting manufactures under several brands including Fenchel Lamp Shades, Nature’s Garden, and Hollywood Lights. New Richmond High School graduate Todd Loeher acquired Wisconsin Lighting when it was located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 2010, he relocated the business to New Richmond and operated it in leased space designated as a business incubator in the city’s downtown district. Having outgrown its space, Loehr then purchased the entire incubator building and successfully completed a major renovation of the exterior and interior. Energy efficient LED lighting systems help the company gain new markets and customers. Learn more at www.wilighting.

Croix Gear and Machining is the 2016 Business of the Year (30 or more employees). Croix Gear operates as a division of Marine Associates to better reflect the design and manufacture of gears for numerous business sectors across the U.S. In 2016, the owners celebrated their 50th year in Hudson, and in August, the company marked this special anniversary with a groundbreaking on a 23,000 square foot addition, bringing the total facility space to around 60,000 square feet. Since inception, the Johnston family has been involved in the ownership, starting with the late James T. Johnston who founded Marine Associates. Son Mark succeeded his father James, and when Mark died in 2010, his wife Ruthie was thrust into the role of company owner. Her son Matt is the current facility manager. Learn more at www.croixgear.com.

About Trudy Popenhagen

Trudy Popenhagen retired in 2015 from a long career at Xcel Energy where she served as a community service manager in the greater St. Croix Valley and western Wisconsin. While at Xcel Energy, she was active in numerous economic development organizations, including St. Croix EDC, Polk County EDC, Pierce County EDC and the Greater St. Croix Valley EDC Collaborative. Those roles included leading the boards as president and serving in other officer roles, on executive committees and various other committees within the organizations. She also took an active role with area chambers of commerce and tourism organizations and led the early years of the region’s Legislative Day events in Madison on behalf of the St. Croix Valley. In addition to her leadership in economic development, Trudy has been a long-time advocate and volunteer for numerous community and non-profit organizations that help support improving the quality of life in the St. Croix Valley. In retirement, she enjoys travelling with her husband Lloyd and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is the first female recipient of the St. Croix EDC Directors Award.

Banquet Details

This is the 23rd business awards program for St. Croix EDC. The banquet is open to the public but reservations are required. Dinner tickets are priced at $38.00. For credit card payments, visit http://tinyurl.com/jd76uuu. To ask for an invoice, contact Nita at Nita@stcroixedc.com or call 715-381-4383. To pay by check, mail it to 1101 Carmichael Rd, Hudson, WI 54016. RSVP by Wednesday February 8, 2017.

The EDC was established in 1994 as a public-private business league that operates as the independent economic development arm of St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Reflective activities include marketing and communication, business retention, business expansion, business recruitment, new business incorporations, and advocacy on behalf of business and industry. Initiatives taken by St. Croix EDC help improve the business climate of St. Croix County, allowing businesses, large and small, to grow and prosper.

For more information, contact William Rubin or Nita Dusek at (715) 381-4383.