Looking forward to another great year of economic development in Sheboygan County!

January 2, 2023

Gov. Evers — Gov. Tony Evers today announced his appointment of Adam N. Payne to serve as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) effective Jan. 3, 2023. The appointment fills the vacancy created by former Secretary Preston D. Cole’s retirement.

“Adam has deep Wisconsin roots and understands that our vast and valuable resources—from our waterways to our farmlands—are core to who we are as a people and a state,” said Gov. Evers. “He is an outdoorsman, a conservationist, and has been a strong, successful leader for Sheboygan County. I know he will bring that same dedication and spirit of service to this role as secretary.” 

Payne currently serves as the county administrator for Sheboygan County, a position he has held for more than two decades. As county administrator, Payne has served as the chief administrative officer, coordinating and directing countywide administrative and management functions, initiating program and policy changes, working with state government for the betterment of the county, and leading Sheboygan County’s annual budget development process. Prior to serving as county administrator, Payne was the executive director of the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association and served for five years at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection from 1990 to 1995, including as the director of the Farmland Preservation Program.

SCEDC — SHEBOYGAN, WI — The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) aims to provide a wide variety of services, resources, and expertise to help encourage entrepreneurial opportunities in Sheboygan County. This week saw the launch of the Sheboygan County Accelerator for Learning Entrepreneurship (SCALE), a new accelerator program in partnership with Lakeland University and sponsored by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).

SCALE invests in up to six pre or early-revenue startups per cohort, per year. This program is free to the selected applicants and each applicant will receive a technical assistance grant for a total of $10,000. $5,000 will be available for distribution after the first week of the program, and the remainder of $5,000 will become available upon completion of the 10-week course schedule. 

SCALE accepts applications from ALL types of startups across ALL industries and business models. The program goal is to help startups reach the point where they are ready to go to an equity-based accelerator or raise from angels, crowd investing, or pre-sales. 

WHBL — 54 organizations will share $2 million in Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) grant funds announced on Tuesday.  Overall, the awards will support more than 1,700 beds and housing units in 43 Wisconsin communities, with $135,000 coming to three Sheboygan agencies.

Elevate of Sheboygan received $50,000 to renovate its recently-acquired building.  The money will cover HVAC installation and a sprinkler system, a kitchen remodel, bathroom addition, and living room and bedroom remodels.

Habitat for Humanity Lakeside was granted $50,000 to replace a water heater, sump pump, a concrete area, roof and vinyl siding.

Partners for Community Development will use its $35,000 grant to replace and install new water heaters.

SBDC — The Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is offered by the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center's UW-Stevens Point and UW-Green Bay. It is a 9 week course that provides an easy to follow, step by step process that shows you how to:

• Answer the question – "Will people buy my product or service?"
• Appeal to more customers
• Develop a lender-ready business plan
• Use time, money, and resources wisely
• 
  

Through instruction and guest speakers, the course serves those who are considering starting a business, owners of existing businesses struggling to get a handle on all the details, and those with successful companies they want to grow.

BizTimes — Wisconsin’s minority business owners will no longer need to rely on out-of-state technical support.



The Wisconsin North Central Minority Supplier Development Council (NCMSDC) has been awarded a $1.61 million grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The funds will be used to create Wisconsin’s first business center aimed at helping minority-owned businesses. The business center will be operated through NCMSDC, and will be located in its office at 9300 W. Heater Ave., on Milwaukee’s far northwest side.

“This is the epitome of a public/private partnership at scale,” said Heather Olson, president and CEO of NCMSDC. “Operating the Wisconsin Minority Business Center in collaboration with our integrated ecosystem of partners will systemically leverage minority businesses’ access to contracts, capital, and markets. This is a game changer for achieving socioeconomic growth in Wisconsin.”

Sheboygan Press — Here are recent developments on the business scene in the county.  

New Indian restaurant is open

The Spices, 4604 S. Business Drive, is now open, offering Indian and Nepalese cuisine. 

Basudev Adhikari, owner of The Spices and Jays Food on Indiana Avenue, said the building was initially going to be a gas station. 

After looking inside and seeing the location’s larger seating area and parking lot, though, Adhikari decided to expand the restaurant business. 

Road America adds new board member 

Road America has appointed Mike Shank, team owner of Meyer Shank Racing, as a member to its board of directors, according to a news release. 

Shank is entering the position with more than two decades of motorsports experience as an IMSA and IndyCar Series team owner. He has led his team to win a Daytona Prototype international Championship in 2022, two Rolex 24 Hour victories in 2012 and 2022, and two IMSA GTD Championships in 2019 and 2020, a news release said.

SCEDC – The SCEDC wants your company to be on the shortlist for talent search on the new Someplace Better website! By filling out this survey and telling us what occupations your company hires, you will be part of a new county-wide employer database. This survey contains a comprehensive list of occupations, you will be asked to check all of the occupations hired by your business. 

Upcoming Events

SCEDC Office Hours - Town of Sheboygan

Date: January 10th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: Town Hall, 4020 Technology Pkwy. Sheboygan

SCEDC Office Hours - Village of Random Lake

Date: January 12th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: Random Lake Village Office, 96 Russell Dr., Random Lake



SCEDC Office Hours - City of Plymouth

Date: January 19th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: City Hall, 128 Smith St., Plymouth

SCEDC Office Hours - Village of Oostburg

Date: January 17th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: Oostburg Municipal Building, 1140 Minnesota Ave., Oostburg

SCEDC Office Hours - Village of Cedar Grove

Date: January 24th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: Cedar Grove Public Library, 131 Van Altena Ave., Cedar Grove



SCEDC Office Hours - City of Sheboygan Falls

Date: January 26th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: City Hall, 375 Buffalo St., Sheboygan Falls