The Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce and Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. recently announced Shawano Country Vision 2017 facade improvement matching grant funds were used to help renovate the exterior of Gage’s Tire & Auto, 503 U.S. Highway 45 N., in Tigerton.
The $2,500 grant paid for 50 percent of the project costs. Improvements included the installation of new signs, new windows, a new awning and a shingled roof over the entry. The entire building was also repainted.
“I would not have been able to make these improvements without the financial assistance from this grant,” business owner Matt Schrank said. “This project has created a lot of attention for my business. I’m getting noticed and hearing very positive comments.”
Schrank learned about Shawano Country Vision 2017 from a Tigerton Main Street representative.
“Grants like these are very important to help small main street businesses going,” he said.
“This is a great example of grant funds being utilized to their fullest potential by sprucing up a highly visible business and making it much more professional and inviting,” said Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nancy Smith. “This transformation will no doubt have a positive impact on Matt’s business.”
Schrank has owned his business for seven years. He is licensed by the state to service and repair motor vehicle air conditioning and trailer refrigeration systems. He also employs a certified technician.
Dennis L. Heling, chief economic development officer for Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., noted one of the specific goals of Shawano Country Vision 2017 is to enhance wages and increase average per capita income in the region. According to Heling, the automotive repair industry provides opportunities for higher wages.
“Today’s automotive technicians are required to have annual certifications and technical training, which generally translates into their earning a higher average annual income,” he said. “Matt’s certifications and technical training renders him a higher skilled worker in the region’s economy thereby having a side benefit of raising the region’s overall workforce skills sets attainment level.”
Any employer or entrepreneur operating in Shawano or Menominee Counties can apply for Shawano Country Vision 2017 incentive programs. For information, contact Heling at 715-526-5839 or scepi@frontiernet.net, or Smith at 715-524-2139 or nsmith@shawano.com.
Shawano Country Vision 2017 is a five-year economic development plan designed to address various needs of area businesses and communities. The plan’s overall goal is to create 1,000 or more new jobs by implementing specific actions in key areas, including business expansion, attraction and recruitment, tourism/retail development and community development.
This plan was initiated two years ago by the board of directors of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. and the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce to proactively tackle economic challenges such as several plant closures, job losses and lower than average per capita income.
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