Contributed Photo Dennis Heling, right, chief economic development officer of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., presents Dr. Carrie Verkuilen a check for $5,000, a matching grant provided by Shawano Country Vision 2017, for improvements to Verkuilen Chiropractic and Wellness Center. At left is Nancy Smith, executive director of the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce.
Verkuilen Chiropractic and Wellness Center has received a $5,000 Shawano Country Vision 2017 grant to help renovate its new clinic at 1401 E. Elizabeth St. in Shawano.
The interior improvement matching grant was announced this week by the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce and Shawano County Economic Progress Inc.
The grant funds enabled business owners Dr. Carrie and Mark Verkuilen to transform the space from an assisted living residence to a chiropractic clinic. Improvements included new flooring, cabinetry, doors, closets and shelving.
“This grant has allotted me the opportunity to make improvements and still stay within my budget,” Carrie Verkuilen said. “This has made it possible to expand my office and services that are provided to our community.”
Since remodeling and moving to the new facility, Verkuilen Chiropractic and Wellness Center has added staff. The center has been operating in Shawano for 10 years.
“Having skilled health care professionals in our community is vital to the health of our workforce,” said Dennis Heling, chief economic development officer for Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. “The additional skilled staff will contribute to a higher quality of life for our citizens.”
Any employer or entrepreneur operating in Shawano or Menominee counties can apply for Shawano Country Vision 2017 incentive programs.
“Sometimes it just takes a small financial boost to make the difference between whether a business will grow and add employees or not,” said Nancy Smith, Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce executive director. “We want to provide every opportunity for a business to jump financial hurdles standing in the way of their success, and that’s what Vision 2017 is about.”
To determine if your project or business development idea will be eligible for the plan’s incentive programs, contact either Heling at 715-526-5839 or scepi@frontiernet.net, or Smith at 715-524-2139, nsmith@shawano.com.
“Programs and incentives available through Vision 2017 are very important to Shawano country,” said Verkuilen, who is also an at-large member of the chamber’s board of directors. “The grants provide small businesses, like mine, the financial support to help expand and grow.”
Shawano Country Vision 2017 is a five-year economic development plan developed in 2012 to create jobs through business expansion, attraction and recruitment, as well as tourism/retail development and community development.