OCEDC chief gives last hurrah

Paul Ehrfurth was applauded Aug. 19 as he gave his last report to the Oconto County Board as executive director of the Oconto County Economic Development Corp.

Ehrfurth, who has guided the private-public partnership for the past nine years, is retiring Sept. 1. His successor, Jayme Sellen, is scheduled to start work at OCEDC on Aug. 30.

Among other issues, Ehrfurth announced a grant program that will provide $10,000 for businesses that want to occupy a vacant storefront on Main Street in Wisconsin communities. The grants are being offered through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and administered by the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission.

“I can tell you that right now Sam (Boucher, OCEDC tourism director) is working on at least six different applications for that program,” Ehrfurth said, asking supervisors to call her if they’re aware of any business owners who might want to take advantage of the opportunity.

He also updated the board on the applications Bertram Internet has submitted for state grants to improve broadband access in northern Oconto County. The board has committed $500,000 in matching funds from its allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act.

With $100 million available, the state Public Service Commission has received 242 applications totaling $420 million, but Mark Dodge, director of business development for Bertram, seems optimistic, he said.

“He seems to think we’re in a pretty good position, because a lot of large providers submitted applications with little or no matching funds, whereas we had a considerable amount of matching funds in our applications,” Ehrfurth said.

He then turned to saying his goodbyes.

“I’ve enjoyed working with supervisors and staff over these past nine years,” Ehrfurth said, and said Sellen apparently has some ties to Oconto County.

Supervisor Rose Stellmacher, who chairs the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, said Ehrfurth has done “a fantastic job” for the county.

“He is dedicated, loyal; he’s like a little pit bull that when you try to take his funding away, look out, you’re in trouble,” Stellmacher said. “It has been a real pleasure working with Paul, and I hope you enjoy your retirement.”

County Administrator Kevin Hamann congratulated Ehrfurth on his retirement and teased him a bit about his devotion to the Chicago Blackhawks. Hamann identified himself as a follower of the Minnesota Wild.