Area communities collaborate on economic development

Goal is a consistent message that touts entire county

By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent

Last year, according to Kenosha County Planning and Development director Andy Buehler, his department began a conversation with the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, the village of Pleasant Prairie and Downtown Kenosha Inc. about expanding commercial development in Kenosha County.

The initial players have added to their number by including the villages of Paddock Lake and Bristol and now they are moving on to the next phase.

“We met last December and this year included the villages of Bristol and Paddock Lake in our meetings,” explained Buehler.

The Village of Twin Lakes was contacted and wants to be part of the conversation as well, according to Buehler.

He said that Kenosha County Planning and Development will represent the towns in the western part of the county.

This trailblazing idea will have these governmental groups and private agencies exploring what types of commercial ventures might fit into different areas in Kenosha County and how to bring them here.

“We are looking at different parts of the country to see what others have done, what has worked and what hasn’t,” Buehler said in a recent telephone interview.

Buehler said the group, with help from the Kenosha County University of Wisconsin-Extension office, has plans to develop information to take to industry shows in Chicago and Milwaukee to highlight available opportunities in Kenosha County.

Amy Greil from the Kenosha County UW-Extension and Christopher Naumann from the Downtown Kenosha organization presented information at the January meeting that explores the positive effect that commercial development has on an area.

“Commercial development creates jobs,” the presentation stated, “enhances neighborhood safety and contributes to vibrant environment of activity and growth. Successful commercial development helps forestall blight and crime, and reinforces investments in housing and other development efforts. These businesses often transform decaying commercial corridors into centers and incubate innovation (micro-enterprises to retooled industrial sites.)”

See the Jan. 22 print edition of the Westosha Report for the full story.


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