RCEDC’s Annual Event: Impact 2026
Racine County Economic Development Corporation will celebrate its 43rd anniversary at the 2026 RCEDC Annual Celebration on May 7, 2026, at Festival Park in Racine.
Racine County Economic Development Corporation will celebrate its 43rd anniversary at the 2026 RCEDC Annual Celebration on May 7, 2026, at Festival Park in Racine.
Save the date for the KABA & RCEDC Summer Intern Mixer! This event is a great opportunity for local interns and new hires to connect, hear from young professionals, and explore all that Racine and Kenosha have to offer — all while enjoying a summer evening at Petrifying Springs Park.
Nine Racine County entrepreneurs celebrated their graduation from the first phase of the BizStarts Racine on October 8, 2026, at Gateway Technical College’s iMET Center, marking another milestone for the program. Presented by RCEDC in partnership with the BizStarts Institute, BizStarts Racine helps aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs build the skills and connections needed to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.
The 262 Founder Pitch brings together entrepreneurs, regional leaders, economic development organizations, and higher education partners to spotlight the innovative companies emerging across Southeast Wisconsin. On November 10, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at the Kenosha Innovation Center, 13 startup finalists will take the stage to showcase their companies, build connections, and compete across three categories highlighting innovation and community impact.
RCEDC, the City of Racine, and the Downtown Racine Corporation (DRC), introduce the Downtown Racine Business Attraction Loan Program, a new financing resource designed to help businesses establish a street-level presence, activate vacant storefronts, and invest in Downtown Racine.
A rare large-format manufacturing opportunity is now available in Racine County. The former Cree Lighting headquarters at 9201 Washington Avenue in Sturtevant offers nearly 642,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space on 30 acres, providing companies with a turnkey facility in one of the Midwest’s strongest manufacturing regions. Available immediately, the property combines extensive production infrastructure, significant power capacity, and a strategic location with access to major transportation networks, including Chicago O’Hare and Milwaukee Mitchell International airports, freight rail service, and Great Lakes ports.
The Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a collaborative innovation ecosystem bringing together industry, academia, government, and technology leaders to help Wisconsin companies use AI to solve real-world business challenges. Through hands-on, four-day prototyping sprints, companies—particularly manufacturers—work alongside Microsoft AI engineers and innovation partners to develop practical solutions that can improve productivity, quality, and workplace processes.
Nearly $700,000 is available through the Greater Racine County Revolving Loan Fund following recent updates approved by the Racine County Board of Supervisors. The expanded program now supports businesses with a connection to development and operations within Mount Pleasant’s TID #5, home to Foxconn and Microsoft. Whether you’re a Racine County contractor, manufacturer, or supplier looking to grow, or an out-of-county business interested in expanding to Racine County, financing may be available to help support your project.
For more than 30 years, Distinctive Woodwork has provided custom woodworking solutions for homes and businesses throughout Southeast Wisconsin. From handcrafted cabinetry and architectural millwork to office furnishings, display cases, and restoration work, the Racine company has earned a reputation for quality craftsmanship since Dwight and Barb Pedersen established it in 1994. When the Pedersens decided to retire, Joshua Ziev saw an opportunity to carry on the company’s legacy.
RCEDC’s 2026 Mid-Year Economic Development Report highlights the progress we’ve made toward our strategic plan goals during the first six months of the year and outlines priorities for the remainder of 2026.
A new housing development proposed by Neumann Companies could bring 34 owner-occupied single-family homes to the former Giese Elementary School site at 5120 Byrd Ave. in Racine. The project aims to create attainable homeownership opportunities for local workers, particularly educators and municipal employees who have faced growing challenges entering today’s housing market.
Racine County continues to experience strong growth in residential development, reflecting increasing demand for housing across the region. According to an article from The Journal Times citing data from the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA), Racine County recorded the second-highest increase in single-family home construction permits in Wisconsin during the first half of 2026.