MANITOWOC – Progress Lakeshore, Manitowoc County’s economic development agency, hosted its 2022 Economic Development Excellence Awards Breakfast at the Venue at Union Square on Tuesday.
The following winners have been announced. Winner information was provided by Progress Lakeshore.
Business Investment Award: Redline Plastics
Winner and nominees:Redline Plastics was the winner, with Broadwind/Konecranes receiving an honorable mention. Allie Family Companies and BayCare Clinic Lakeside Campus in Manitowoc were also nominated.
About the winner: Redline Plastics completed a 103,000 square foot expansion in August 2021. It has made a capital investment of $7-8 million in equipment and personnel. He has added more than 100 positions over the past year and continues to expect to add more. It is working on training/leadership training programs in addition to job skills and safety training as it continues to grow and offer more complex products to its customers.
About the price: The Corporate Investment Award recognizes a company that has had a positive economic impact on the community (capital investment), that has gone above and beyond to improve its workforce and that has developed innovations in products or processes to improve and adapt to market changes.
Entrepreneurial Excellence Award: Brennan Seehafer
Winner and nominees: Brennan Seehafer was the winner with BRIX receiving an honorable mention. Other nominees were Beyond Nutrition, Certified Auto Services, KIELeidoscope, Lakeshore FIRST Robotics, Shields & Sanders Autobody, The High Lift and Youniquely Fit Studio.
About the winner: Brennan Seehafer owns three companies – The Wharf Manitowoc, The Venue at Union Square and Brennan Seehafer Productions – producer of the annual July 3 celebration and co-producer of Night Market 920, all located in Manitowoc. Its most significant project is to transform what began as a seasonal, experimental shipping container space into a year-round location with a permanent facility and increased outdoor space at The Wharf. The facility features a state-of-the-art retractable roof system providing the flexibility to allow events to continue rain or shine throughout the summer season. This space showcases the beauty of the waterfront while offering ever-changing entertainment, a full bar, and unique culinary specialties. His other notable project that had a significant economic impact was the opening of The Venue at Union Square, a modern wedding venue and convention space. He has shown his commitment to Manitowoc through his continued investment and downtown development.
About the price: The Entrepreneurial Achievement Award recognizes an emerging individual or small business that has developed their ideas, products and/or services into a viable and competitive business, while having a positive impact on the community.
Neighborhood Development Award: PetSkull Brewing Co.
Winner, honorable mention and nominees: PetSkull Brewing Co. was the winner while Mike Howe Builders – Union Square renovation received an honorable mention. Other nominees were Cool City Brewing Company, Elks Club Redevelopment – Allie Family Companies, Kiel Hardware, Sabbatical Brewing and Treehouse Theatre.
About the winner: PetSkull Brewing Co. at 1015 Buffalo St., which was once a tannery and iron and metal business that sat empty for four decades, is now a beautiful brewery and destination restaurant in the heart of downtown, marking the start of growing River Point District. The restaurant focuses on cooking styles not offered anywhere else in the community, including Cajun and Creole. A larger 10-barrel brewery has been added to this new space, increasing distribution and recognition in northeast Wisconsin and beyond. The expansion made it possible to hire four more full-time employees and 20 part-time employees.
About the price: The Neighborhood Development Award recognizes innovative development or reuse real estate projects that are purposefully built or adaptively reused to enhance the community and positively impact the local economy.
Community Enhancement Award: Boys and Girls Club of Manitowoc County
Winner, honorable mention and nominees:Boys & Girls Club of Manitowoc County was the winner, and Kiel Area Community Food Pantry and Lakeshore FIRST Robotics both received honorable mentions. Other nominees were Grow It Forward, Lakeshore Technical College and Manitowoc County Jail for a relationship where incarcerated students receive an approach to learning and transitioning into employment or post-secondary education, The Fitness Store, Treehouse Theatre, Vagabond Creative Studio and Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
About the winner: Opened in 2021 at 3651 Dewey St., the Boys & Girls Club of Manitowoc County provides a safe, affordable, youth-friendly venue during critical times outside of school. At the club, youth engage with caring adults and participate in meaningful, engaging, and constructive academic, health and wellness, arts, and STEM programs that help them learn and grow. Currently, they have over 50 children enrolled and have served over 300 meals to young people who attend. Summer programming is the perfect time to give children the opportunity to develop new friendships, play and continue to learn and experience new things.
About the price: The Community Enhancement Award recognizes a business or organization that has had a substantial impact on the quality of life in Manitowoc County by creating projects and initiatives aimed at making Manitowoc County a more attractive place to live and work.
Business Accelerator of the Year Award: Sachin Shivaram
Winner, honorable mention and nominees:Sachin Shivaram, CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, was the winner while Wine Not, LLC – Curt and Jean Andrews and Barry and Gina Krahn received honorable mention. Other nominees were Adam Tegen, director of community development for the city of Manitowoc; Brennan Seehafer; and Todd Nilson of Clocktower Advisors.
About the winner: Sachin Shivaram is a strong advocate for local and regional economic development. As a member of New North’s Board of Directors, he was an active partner in the development of their regional strategic plan, providing value-added input from a business/industry perspective. Shivaram is also a member of the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment, serving as spokesperson for Northeastern Wisconsin and the Lakeshore on a state-level board of directors. ‘State. His willingness to collaborate and partner on key issues helps guide conversations to affect change. As a top business partner for the Manitowoc County Workforce Innovation Grant focused on child care, he continues to demonstrate the thought leadership needed to bring innovative solutions to workforce and economic development challenges. It models the principles of ethical leadership and offers a compelling strategic vision that has impact locally, regionally and nationally. Under his leadership at WAF, the company has increased its Manitowoc workforce by nearly 100 people over the past 18 months and increased salaries by more than 17% in the past year alone.
About the price: The Economic Accelerator of the Year award recognizes an individual or organization that has played a leading role in economic development.
Coolest Coast Champion Award: Cathy Green
Winner:Cathy Green, executive director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
About the price: The Coolest Coast movement is about celebrating the people, places and things that make our community a better place to live, work and play. The Coolest Coast Champion Award is given annually to an individual who embodies the spirit of the Coolest Coast and has gone above and beyond to support their community.
Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.