SCEPI

Housing prices increase, employment flat in Shawano County

Published by admin on Fri, 06/28/2024 - 12:33pm

A falling inventory of homes for sale is helping to drive up prices in Shawano County, said Peter Thillman, executive director of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. (SCEPI), as he addressed the Shawano County Board of Supervisors on June 26.

“The number of available properties has declined significantly,” he said, sharing information from the Wisconsin Realtors Association.

The number of home sales dropped from a high 539 in 2021 to 406 in 2023 due mainly to a falling inventory. This is pushing the median sale price higher, which in 2023 was $198,950.

New SCEPI chief sees great things for county

Published by admin on Mon, 03/09/2020 - 6:05pm

SHAWANO — A strong strategic plan for economic development is the first priority of the new director of Shawano County Economic Progress, Inc., who started his new job on Monday.

Peter Thillman, most recently the vice president of economic development for the Fox Cities Regional Partnership, will replace SCEPI’s current chief economic development officer Dennis Heling, who has retired.

New leadership starts Monday at SCEPI

Published by admin on Fri, 03/06/2020 - 3:17pm

SHAWANO — A new director of Shawano County Economic Progress, Inc. has been hired and will start his job on Monday.

Peter Thillman, most recently the vice president of economic development for the Fox Cities Regional Partnership, will replace SCEPI’s current chief economic development officer Dennis Heling, who is retiring.

Heling, who was hired as SCEPI chief in 2013, informed the SCEPI board of directors in June of his plans to retire by the end of 2019 or as soon as someone could be named to take his place.

Heling reflects on his time with SCEPI

Published by admin on Tue, 01/14/2020 - 11:22am

SHAWANO — When someone asks Dennis Heling what his crowning achievement is during the time he was with Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., he’ll cite the way communities are working together on economic development.

Heling looked back on his six-plus years as the chief economic development officer for SCEPI on Friday during an open house at the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, where the SCEPI offices are also located. He said that municipalities and the county are cooperating better to bring industries and jobs into the area.

Search for SCEPI chief continues

Published by admin on Tue, 01/07/2020 - 2:22am

The search for a new head of Shawano County Economic Progress, Inc. is continuing into the new year, even though it was expected to be wrapped up before the end of 2019.

A search committee including representatives from the city, county and SCEPI board interviewed six candidates before finally settling on one who was offered the job.

“We had a person selected and accept and notified us last week that they will no longer be taking the position,” said Shawano City Administrator Eddie Sheppard, who is a member of the search committee.

Broadband coming to Birnamwood

Published by admin on Thu, 02/28/2019 - 11:01am

Better access to high-speed internet is coming to rural Shawano County, but the process is going to require patience from homeowners and cooperation between municipalities and communication companies.

Village of Birnamwood residents were invited to an informational session before the village board meeting Feb. 11 to learn about the broadband expansion, which is being made possible by a $274,068 state grant.