WADC has updates and concerns for Wittenberg Village Board

WITTENBERG — Village Board Trustee Dave Timm gave an update at the Oct. 2 village board meeting about the activities of the Wittenberg Area Development Corporation.

Timm serves as liaison between the village board and the WADC.

The WADC — a nonprofit organization comprised of local business owners and representatives — works under the village of Wittenberg board as an initial contact to bring in and retain area businesses. The development corporation serves as a confidential liaison between the village and business owners.

Timm reported there is a company that may be interested in building apartments in the business park but would not make a decision until spring. The business park currently has the Marshfield Clinic and a building built and owned by the Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative.

“The village board would need to decide if an apartment complex would be a good fit in the park,” said Timm.

There is also a company interested in utilizing the space in the CWEC building, according to Timm.

Earlier this year, the WADC implemented the Building Improvement Grant program. WADC provides matching grants of up to $1,000 per business for curb appeal or renovation expenses. To date, five businesses have taken advantage of the program. Down To Earth Healing and Massage, Tavern Front, Resch Lanes, Wittenberg Area Historical Society and Hanke’s Sentry Foods have completed their projects. Each business applied for $1,000.

Timm noted that three other businesses, Beversdorf’s Garage, Rachel’s Roadside Bar and Grill and Gwidt Pharmacy, have been approved for funds.

The WADC put a cap of $10,000 for the improvement grant program. Money is available for existing commercial properties and can be used for most internal or external construction projects, including paying for the labor costs of cleaning and/or painting, as well as materials for signs and awnings. Improvement projects must be completed within six months.

Preference is given to Wittenberg Area Chamber of Commerce members, which would include Birnamwood businesses. For information or to apply, contact WADC Treasurer Scott Nyman at the Wittenberg Telephone Co., 715-253-2111.

Timm said that, at the WADC meeting Sept. 20, the board also discussed curb appeal in two specific areas. The business district has a large sign on the corner of Robin Road and Grand Avenue, which is overgrown with sumac bushes and needs to be cut back. Also, the trailer park across from the elementary school has a vehicle with no tires up on blocks.

According to Village President William Switalla, the maintenance department will trim the trees and bushes around the business park sign, and notice will be sent to the owner of the parked car and trailer.

Traci Matsche, Wittenberg village clerk, noted that a WADC item will be added to the village agenda for future updates from Timm.
According to WADC President Dick Beversdorf, the corporation also serves as a resource for business owners who need answers to specific questions. The corporation is often able to connect them with the right sources of information through the organization’s extensive local networking community.

The nonprofit has a membership of 67 local businesses and charges annual dues of $40. Anyone is welcome to attend meetings, which are held at noon on the third Friday of the month at either Tavern Front or Resch Lanes. Call Beversdorf at 715-881-3998 for location.