Cheese Wedge Growth Lab offers full day of entrepreneur training

Local news about the companies, people and issues that impact business in Northeast Wisconsin and beyond. The Cheese Wedge Consortium will offer a free, interactive business growth event Nov. 4 in Green Bay. “Growth Lab: Less Theory, More Doing” is part of the Cheese Wedge Consortium, a regional collaboration between...

Wisconsin salvage owner sentenced for tax evasion

STOCKBRIDGE, Wis. (WFRV) — A Wisconsin business owner was sentenced to one year and one month for tax evasion as part of a nationwide enforcement action against fraud led by the Justice Department, which 30 U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have joined. According to a press release, 62-year-old Hibert resident Edward Kuhn withheld nearly […]

She chose a century-old barn over Main Street and never looked back

LENA, Wisconsin – Preserving the past while helping her clients prepare for the future. It’s a business plan that works well for Kaila Cota, owner and operator of Vintage Insurance Agency LLC in Lena, a village of just over 600 residents in Oconto County. What makes her business...

Festival Foods Launches Loyalty Program Offering Rewards

Festival Foods has launched Festival Rewards, a refreshed guest loyalty program designed to deliver savings directly at checkout, alongside a fully updated mobile app and website. Beginning Oct. 14, guests who sign up for Festival Rewards earn 2 percent back on every qualifying in-store and online purchase. Members earn 10...

A new boba tea shop, a closing Piggly Wiggly and more

Welcome to The Buzz newsletter, and happy mid-October! The Halloween season is upon us, and I'm not sure what's scarier – the large amount of business news we've been cranking out over the past few weeks or the inevitable cold front that's sure to hit us soon. And on that note, here's what's new: A new breakfast spot, Hi Ho Burrito, is coming soon to Appleton. The business will serve, you guessed it, breakfast burritos, but that's not all: burrito bowls, smoothies, coffee and breakfast-adjacent treats will be available as well. Next up, Appleton has another new addition as Tastea Boba opens. The business serves boba and fruit teas, smoothies and sweet treats like bubble waffles. In other news, J. Hawkinson Clothiers is wrapping up nearly 40 years of business. The women's boutique, known for helping customers pick and style clothing and accessories, is going out of business due to the manager's retirement. I also did a story on Mystic Remedies, a collective selling metaphysical and natural remedy products alongside handmade products, decor and accessories. Outside of goods, reiki, tarot readings and rituals are frequently offered, as are events. Last up, Stoneridge Piggly Wiggly is closing. I did a story

Overhead Doors Unlimited LLC Expands Regional Operations with Focus on Garage Door Installation

Overhead Doors Unlimited LLC, an established provider of entry system solutions and home improvement contracting, has officially announced the structural expansion of its regional service footprint, placing an increased operational focus on garage door installation in Appleton, WI. The expansion strategy is designed to address a growing regional requirement for modernized residential infrastructure, upgraded thermal barriers, and advanced security features within local housing structures.

Mayoral candidate Jim Schmitt hosts roundtable with Green Bay business owners

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Jim Schmitt, former Green Bay mayor and current mayoral candidate, hosted a roundtable with downtown Green Bay business owners on Wednesday morning. Shop and restaurant owners told him that crime, loitering, homelessness, and juvenile misbehavior are making it harder to run a healthy business, with some even talking about leaving downtown.

B&H Footwear and Fashionwear to Close After 50 Years In Clintonville

CLINTONVILLE, WI – B&H Footwear and Fashionwear in Clintonville is preparing to close its doors at the end of the year, bringing an end to a family business that recently marked 50 years. Owner Sue Aschlimann says the decision comes after decades of work in the family business, which...

IRS offers tax relief for tornado victims

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced tax relief for Wisconsin individuals and businesses who have been impacted by the July 27 severe storms and tornadoes.

Oshkosh Defense, Michigan Tech develop battlefield power kit

OSHKOSH – Oshkosh Defense is partnering with Michigan Technological University’s Advanced Power Systems Research Center to move a military vehicle power system closer to production for U.S. Army use. The collaboration between Oshkosh Defense LLC and Michigan Technological University's APS LABS will support the transition of a Vehicle Integrated Power Kit, according to a community announcement. The system is designed to provide mobile power for battlefield operations including Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems, directed energy weapons, missile defense systems, command posts and field hospitals. The Vehicle Integrated Power Kit, known as VIPK, can generate up to 120 kilowatts of power at 600 volts of direct current. The system also complies with the Tactical Microgrid Standard, allowing it to work with other field power systems. The partners said the effort combines APS LABS' research and integration capabilities with Oshkosh Defense's manufacturing experience. Oshkosh Defense serves as the original equipment manufacturer for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles A2 platform. Partnership aims to advance battlefield power capabilities According to the announcement, Oshkosh Defense is helping transition the technology from a prototype into a production-ready system. The company said its role includes supporting manufacturability, production readiness, compatibility and performance requirements. The organizations said the

Another Way to Think About the Residential Tax Exemption

Two weeks ago, John Hart forcefully urged the residential tax exemption here, acknowledging cons without identifying them. Let me, also a full-time resident with a high assessment, suggest what they are — at root, relieving full-time residents able to pay their taxes from fully supporting Stockbridge, and disproportionately burdening all second homeowners. rich and poor. Not all second homeowners are rich.

MPSD Looks to Sell Former Jackson Elementary School

Manitowoc’s former Jackson Elementary School is now up for sale. The district’s Finance and Facility Committee asked the full board on Tuesday to approve a 60-day window to see whether it gets offers for the building. While the district still doesn’t want to get involved in the real...

Shawano Country Chamber Welcomes Sam Sperberg as Events Coordinator

SHAWANO, WI – The Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce has added a familiar face to its team, naming Sam Sperberg as its new Events Coordinator. Sperberg officially began the role on October 12 and brings previous experience with the Chamber and the Shawano community. In her new position, Sperberg...

Sedron® Brings Kinnard Farms Varcor Facility Fully Online, Expanding Domestic Supply of Patented Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer

Congressman Tony Wied joins Kinnard Farms and Sedron to mark the completion of the Casco, Wisconsin facility; company also forms a Commercial Advisory Board drawn from Driscoll’s, Helena and Apple leadership. Sedron, which develops and operates facilities that upcycle municipal biosolids and agricultural manure, today announced that its Varcor®...

Calumet County residents concerned about proposed natural-gas power plants

FOREST JUNCTION, Wis. (WBAY) - The Calumet County community is getting word out and raising serious concerns over air pollution after two natural-gas power plants were proposed near Forest Junction. If approved, the plants would be the second largest in the state. They were joined by doctors from across the...

American Towing Expands Roadside Assistance Operations

American Towing has announced an expansion of its roadside assistance and vehicle recovery operations in Clintonville, WI, introducing technology upgrades and additional workforce development initiatives intended to improve service coordination and response times throughout the community. The expansion reflects growing attention to the role of roadside assistance providers in supporting...

Manitowoc Entrepreneurs Invited to Compete in LEVEL UP Pitch Contest

Progress Lakeshore is bringing back a popular contest for local entrepreneurs. The 2026 LEVEL UP Pitch Contest will be held at the Mosaic Event Center, located at 934 South 10th Street in Manitowoc on Thursday, November 12th. The LEVEL UP Pitch Contest gives entrepreneurs a platform to present innovative business...

Green Bay wants to fine owners for business property vacancies

A proposed law to discourage vacancies in Green Bay’s commercial buildings with escalating fees on property owners got the backing of the Protection and Policy Committee on Oct. 12 against objections from the Wisconsin REALTORS Association . Committee members, voting 3-1, endorsed the measure as a tool to cut blight and spur economic activity following complaints by some residents. City Council member Bill Morgan was the lone dissenter, saying some people simply wished to accumulate commercial property, which the law’s sponsors contested. “I don’t think those people exist,” City Council member and sponsor Joey Prestley said, adding later, “And if somebody is doing that just to collect them, I think we should not be incentivizing that as a city.” If adopted after two readings at City Council, Green Bay would join hundreds of communities nationally , from Alabama to Delaware to California , that have passed similar ordinances to combat vacancies seen as depressing economic development and the aesthetic of communities. The law would create a city registry of commercial vacancies and make property owners register their buildings no later than 60 days after being unused. Should the property stay unoccupied, the law would mandate owners renew their registration each

Manufacturing Month: LaForce 10-13-26

Shillcox Shamrock Lines Alpaca Farm highlights the Fall Country Tour

(WFRV)- You’re invited to take a country drive and leave the city limits in your rearview mirror. Enjoy the beautiful fall scenery and discover hidden treasures along the way!. In this segment, Mark Shillcox and Addison Klubertanz, representatives of Shillcox Shamrock Lines Alpaca Farm, discuss the Fall Country Tour....