State program to help boost downtowns

MENASHA - A boost for downtown development in several Northeast Wisconsin communities came this week from the state.

A new program selected cities like Menasha, Pulaski and Plymouth revitalize their commercial corridors.   

Downtown Menasha boasts a unique blend of arts focused businesses, diverse restaurant options and office space.

But several buildings along Main Street sit vacant.  

"We'd like to look at what the community needs, what they want, and then how do we recruit those people to come in," said Menasha Mayor Don Merkes.

City leaders hope their participation in the new Connect Communities program will help increase people's interest in the city's center.

"They don't necessarily come to the downtown as a whole downtown, and we'd like to create this as a destination," Merkes said.

As part of the program, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will provide the city with a range of services and resources to help create economic vibrancy.

"It is really kind of a planning development process. So part of it will be communities helping communities identify their needs, what are some of the opportunities, what are some of the resources they may be able to tap into," said Tom Thieding, a spokesperson with the WEDC.

"A fun downtown would be a place for all the locals to come. Something we can be proud of to give Menasha a really good name," said Jennifer Lietz, owner of The Designer's Chair.

Downtown Menasha business owners we spoke with say they're excited about the prospects the future holds with Connect Communities.

"The more we can get down here and promote businesses down here, more businesses will want to come and fill in the empty spaces and get more traffic on Main Street," Lietz said.

The mayor says the city has plenty of potential with its current businesses, plus the investments made in the downtown which include the Menasha Marina and the development of Curtis Reed Plaza.

"So we've had all those things, and we'd like to just bring us up to the next step and we thought this was a way that we could do that," said Merkes.

Twenty out of 24 Wisconsin communities were chosen to be a part of the Connect Communities program. Those that applied were selected based on their level of commitment and organization.

State officials say they expect to help more communities through the program in the future.