Shawano Bearings recently used a $1,427 Vision 2017 façade and interior grant to update exterior and interior lighting.
Tammy Framnes purchased Shawano Bearings from Bob and Gloria Beyer in November 2015. She relocated the business to the 2,400-square-foot facility she owns at W6118 County Road BE in Shawano. She has been open at that location since February 2016. Along with bearings, her inventory includes belts, pulleys, seals, chains, sprockets, u-joints, oil and grease.
Framnes utilized the Vision 2017 grants to replace fluorescent ballasts and bulbs with new LED lighting. The improvement will make her business more visible at night as well as provide good customer lighting inside. The result, Framnes said, will improve the value of her business and property.
“For a new small business owner like myself, the chance to improve my business ‘look’ will help me attract customers,” Framnes said. “The improved energy efficiency will help me control costs by minimizing my electricity usage. It’s really a win-win situation and I’m grateful to Shawano Country Vision 2017 for the opportunity to utilize such a program.”
According to Dennis Heling, executive director of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., after four years of awarding grants through the Shawano Country Vision 2017 program, the grant funds are almost depleted.
“There are several projects still in progress that have been approved for grant funding. After those funds are subtracted, we are currently left with about $1,300,” he said. “We have been overwhelmingly pleased with the success of this grant program. Every dollar invested in a local businesses has resulted in an eightfold return on investment.”
Since 2013, 49 grants totaling $156,000 have been awarded to small businesses through the Vision 2017 façade and interior grant programs. This has stimulated total capital investment of over $1.4 million, according to SCEPI. Grants have been awarded to businesses throughout Shawano County in the communities of Tigerton, Wittenberg, Gresham, Eland, Bonduel and Shawano.
Shawano Country Vision 2017 is a five-year economic development plan intended to address various needs of area businesses and communities. 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, workforce issues 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.
Since the launch of Vision 2017, SCEPI says it has helped local companies secure funding of more than $20 million in support of over 700 new jobs and over $51 million in capital investment in the region. The program has provided individual assistance to 125 businesses.
During that time, SCEPI reports unemployment has decreased from 8.8 percent to 4.5 percent, weekly wages have increased from $518 to $580, and average household income has increased by $1,847.