Contributed Photo Shawano Lake Golf Course recently received a $5,000 grant through Shawano Country Vision 2017. Shown are, from left, Nancy Smith, Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce executive director; Ian Lewis, Shawano Lake Golf Course pro-shop manager; and Dennis Heling, Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. chief economic development officer.
Shawano Lake Golf Course has received an interior grant totaling $5,000 through Shawano Country Vision 2017.
The matching grant was awarded to help cover renovation costs at the business located at W5714 Lake Drive in Shawano. The project included a complete remodel of the bathroom facilities to both update and make them handicap accessible.
The business replaced all the carpet in the facility, installed new coolers behind the bar, added a new walk-in cooler, replaced outside windows on a portion of the building, upgraded to energy-efficient fixtures in the bar and restroom areas, and remodeled the pro shop.
Shawano Lake Golf Course, nick-named Shalagoco or simply the Shal, was established in 1922 and is one of Wisconsin’s oldest courses. The Shalagoco is a public course that features 18-holes; 6,231 yards spread over 120 acres of rolling, tree-lined fairways with finely manicured greens.
The property also contains an eight-tee driving range, a putting green, a sand bunker practice area, and full bar and restaurant with banquet facility. According to pro shop manager Ian Lewis, this is the first major upgrade to the facility in 30 years.
“The upgrades have allowed us to schedule more events, especially dinner events during the winter months, so we now have a full-time chef, prep cook, bartender and will be adding a server,” Lewis said.
During the summer months, Shalagoco has over 30 employees.
Because of Shalagoco’s location near the north shore of Shawano Lake, it is situated to attract many visitors.
“Our improvements will help us attract new events and people to our facility,” Lewis said. “Being located across from the County Park, many of the tourists that come to our area stop by the course to either golf or dine. The remodel is a huge improvement and helps provide them with a better overall experience in Shawano County.”
Shawano Country Vision 2017 grants have helped businesses in communities throughout Shawano County. Small businesses in Tigerton, Eland, Gresham and Shawano have received a total of $77,000 in Vision 2017 facade and interior grants, which has stimulated over $624,000 in private investments.
“We feel the incentives and programs offered through Shawano Country Vision 2017 are vital to economic development because Shawano County must compete with other areas to attract new businesses and keep existing ones,” Lewis said.
Any employer or entrepreneur operating in Shawano or Menominee county can apply for the 2017 grant programs. To determine if your project or business development idea is eligible contact Dennis Heling at 715-526-5839, scepi@frontiernet.net, or Nancy Smith at 715-524-2139, nsmith@shawano.com.
Shawano Country Vision 2017 is a five-year economic development plan designed to address various needs of area businesses and communities. One of the key goals is to bring at least 1,000 new jobs to the area by 2017.
The plan’s overall goal is to spur capital investment and grow the economy by implementing specific action steps in key areas, including business expansion, attraction and recruitment, tourism/retail development and community development.
The plan was initiated three 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 including several plant closures, job losses and lower than average per capita income. It is intended to provide a blueprint for future growth and prosperity and a stronger economic climate for Shawano and Menominee counties.