Jeremy Williamson

Discover all the latest economic development news happening in Racine County! In this edition, we recognize the 2020 Projects of the Year and the 2020 Lenders of the Year. We also welcome new development underway in Caledonia and identify a messaging shift within RCEDC’s talent attraction campaign.

Racine County, in partnership with the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC), has received a $500,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) to help local small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Without hesitation, when the effects of the coronavirus pandemic breached the State of Wisconsin’s business community, the Racine County Economic Development Corporation’s finance team, Business Lending Partners, worked relentlessly to acquire and facilitate relief funds to as many businesses as possible. The BLP 2020 Year in Review highlights the results from BLP’s various lending programs and financial relief administration.

During the next several years, nearly 1 million square feet of industrial development is planned for the DeBack Farms Business Park in the Village of Caledonia. Scannell Properties, headquartered in Indianapolis, plans to develop a 65-acre site in the park over three phases. A General Mills warehouse and distribution center is planned to occupy the first building.

RCEDC’s most recent Zero Loan Program recipients, Terri and Michael Bannon, owners of Razor Sharp Fitness, used the funds to purchase new fitness equipment, which they anticipate will increase memberships and alleviate the effects from the pandemic.

business growth solutions A SERIES DEVELOPED TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES GROW The Business Growth Solutions Series…

The Build Your Own Business program helps entrepreneurs open a storefront location for 3 – 5 months in downtown Union Grove. Business owners receive assistance in finding a store front location, business and marketing plan assistance from the SBDC at UW Parkside, and access to a $500 grant upon signing a lease of no less than 3 months and no more than 5 months.

In 2020, new residents and businesses continued to choose Racine County, taking advantage of its location in the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor. John Crimmings, General Sales Manager of First Weber Real Estate in Racine, believes outside companies are discovering the advantages of doing business here, which attracts home buyers – leading to a future of “a pretty robust real estate market.”

While more new housing development is planned, check out Racine County’s recent activity.

In this edition of RCEDC’s Development News you’ll discover the 2020 recap of Racine County’s housing market and development activity. Also learn about the value of doing business in Racine County as well as the talent pipeline resources

This event will highlight available financial programs for City of Racine business owners.