Central Times 2015-2016

CENTRAL TIME 2015-2016 Relocation Guide

Moving can be stressful.

Finding a new doctor doesn’t have to be.

To find the best primary care doctor call Wausau Center (715) 847-3000, Stettin Center (715) 847-0800 or Weston Center (715) 393-1000.

www.marshfieldclinic.org

CENTRAL TIME

The Wausau Region’s Guide to Living in the Moment 2015-2016

Inside this issue

Take a Tour of the Wausau Region..............................................................4 Everything is Wausome.................................................................................. 6 A Community of Giving................................................................................ 8 Innovative Healthcare.................................................................................. 10 Made in the Wausau Region........................................................................12 Dreams Pursued at UWMC........................................................................14 Discover Employers.......................................................................................16 Recreational Opportunities.........................................................................17 Wausau Named One of America’s Best Communities........................18 About the Region...........................................................................................21 Cycling is Part of the Package....................................................................26 The Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce invites you to enjoy this publication which uncovers why the Wausau Region is the place to work, play and live in the moment. In the Wausau Region you are in a whole different zone. Wisconsin Central Time is about living in the moment. It’s not just about living to work or working to live, but about living fully; about enjoying the kind of balance that allows you to approach every day with heightened anticipation.

Time is on your side here. You are close to the best of everything Wisconsin has to offer. But the Wausau Region isn’t just about an abundance of exceptional experiences at your doorstep; it’s an attitude that elevates the richness of everyday moments.

We welcome you to the Wausau Region, where the time is always right, because you are in a zone that beckons you to seize the day.

This publication is brought to you by the

For more information about the Chamber please call 715-845-6231 or visit www.wausauchamber.com.

Follow us on social media:

Welcome to Northcentral Wisconsin and the Wausau Region This publication will help you achieve a better understanding of all of the resources available to you as a prospective or new resident to our area. These resources will also be useful to those who already call the Wausau Region home.

While natural beauty and recreational opportunities are abundant, you will find that our greatest assets are the people who make our region a special place to live, work and play.

The entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of this area’s founding fathers still lives in our region. This is a place where neighbor helps neighbor, and business helps business.

While we aren’t the biggest community in Wisconsin, we offer many of the amenities found in larger cities.

We have a vibrant arts community, a unique public space downtown, the 400 Block, for concerts and public events, an interconnected system of cycling and recreational trails, a large downhill skiing facility, a downtown whitewater kayaking course, a world-class curling center, and many large sporting complexes that host statewide events like the summer and winter Badger State Games.

The Wausau Region welcomes you to Central Time!

President/CEO Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce

CENTRAL TIME www.wausauchamber.com 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISITWAUSAU.COM

THE GREAT HALL AT ARTSBLOCK

Take a Tour of the Wausau Region

A

sk residents who’ve proudly called Marathon County home and they’ll tell you the wonderful thing about the area is that there’s something for everyone. The secret is to find the people who can match your passions and preferences with the very best this region has to offer.

That’s why we’re tapping into the collective knowledge of two realtors who provide tours and enjoy sharing an insider’s view with those considering a move. Whether you’re curious to learn about kid-friendly attractions, delve into the arts and entertainment scene, or explore the outdoor splendor that awaits, these experts can help you picture your future right here and then turn those dreams into reality.

We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

STORY BY PAUL NICOLAUS

4 www.wausauchamber.com

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MEET YOUR GUIDES

KAREN HARVEY

ROB RYBARCZYK

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISITWAUSAU.COM

LEIGH YAWKEY WOODSON ART MUSEUM

INTRODUCING VISITORS TO THE AREA KAREN HARVEY, REALTOR WITH FIRST WEBER GROUP: It makes me step back personally and appreciate it all over again ... it is a beautiful area. I would like to add that there are such wonderful people in our community. It is great to be a part of it and pretty easy to ‘fit in,’ if you choose to.

ROB RYBARCZYK, BROKER/OWNER WITH COLDWELL BANKER ACTION: I’m just so excited about our area and the diverse activities residents can enjoy. Marathon County has some of the greatest snowmobile trails in the state, our Granite Peak Ski Area blows everything away in the Midwest, and we have great mountain biking and hiking up on Rib Mountain.

WAUSAU CURLING CLUB

ENVISION A FUTURE HARVEY: During a tour, I stress that their quality of life can be satisfied with so much available to them. The Wausau Region will allow them to enjoy life the way they want. After that the community really does sell itself.

RYBARCZYK: I grew up here, was born and raised here, and then I went off to college for four years, but came back, so I can relate to those moving to the area through some of my own experiences.

Sometimes, I take visitors through properties and show them what’s available, and sometimes that’s important because they would like to see how much house they can afford and what their dollar will get when they move here.

60 Years of Excellence (1954-2014)

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

WAUSAU WHITEWATER PARK

HARVEY: I tell those looking at moving to the area that Central Wisconsin is a great location from which they can reach anywhere in the state in a short drive.

We have the convenience of Central Wisconsin Airport, which is great for traveling or for hosting visits from family or friends.

RYBARCZYK: If those I’m leading on a tour have children, they may like to take a drive by the different schools and see the activities that their children could participate in. My tours are always tailored to what’s important to the visitor.

MUNICIPAL | PUBLIC SPACES | ARCHITECTURE AIRPORTS | ENVIRONMENTAL | HIGHWAYS | BRIDGES WATER | WASTEWATER | STORMWATER | DAMS SURVEYING | REAL ESTATE | AGRICULTURAL

330 Fourth Street Wausau, WI 54403 (715) 845-8000

www.becherhoppe.com

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hat’s cheesy, yummy, and not too good to be true? Wausome Wafers. Besides being full of flavor, they are high in protein and calcium, gluten-free, low in carbohydrates, sugarfree and low in sodium. They are totally Wausome!

Brian Gunning is the creative mind behind these wonderful bites of deliciousness. But he isn’t from the area, so why did he start a business in Wausau Region? Brian and his wife were living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and would take trips to visit her family in Shawano - a route that often took them through the Wausau Region. The main reason they chose the Wausau Region for their business was the history of entrepreneurship in the region, the great schools, an extensive parks system, and a thriving downtown. The more Gunning learned about the region, the more he discovered many resources familiar with the process of starting a company, and these fellow businesses were helpful in getting new ventures off the ground.

Gunning originally wanted to start a design and marketing business when his family moved here - owning his own business was very important to him. Once they were here, however, Gunning discovered the design consultancy business had lost its appeal over the years.

“This time,” Gunning told his wife, “I want to work with a client who can really see my vision for a brand and can do it right. I’m going to be my own best client.”

And you won’t believe how that business began.

STORY BY KAREN NERISON

6 www.wausauchamber.com

CENTRAL TIME

© THE MCCARTNEYS PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.MEETTHEMCCARTNEYS.COM

Everything is Wausome!

W

S.C. SWIDERSKI, LLC

Personally devoted to serving our communities by fulfilling your residential, commercial, office and retail needs.

Our two & three bedroom apartment homes in Weston & Kronenwetter include the following; private entrances, appliances - refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and air conditioner, in-unit full size washer and dryer, ceiling fans in all bedrooms, walk-in closets, garage with door opener – private, secure & keyless entry, private deck or patio and most utilities (heat, sewer, water, lawn care and trash & snow removal).

Mosinee, WI 54455

715-693-9522

Visit Us at: www.scswiderski.com

We also have apartment homes in the following cities; Edgar, Medford, Merrill, Mosinee, Plover, Rib Mountain, Rice Lake, Schofield, Stevens Point, Waupaca, Wausau & Wisconsin Rapids.

Gunning was cooking one day and placed some cheese directly on the griddle, making a traditional ‘Frico.’ In an ‘aha’ moment, Brian wondered if this cheese dish could be made the size of a cracker and mass-produced. Wausome Wafers was born, but not before his family and friends served as taste testers and approved his creation.

Wausome Wafers can be found at:

Downtown Grocery, Wausau Lil Ole Winemaker Shoppe, Wausau Trig’s Market, Wausau Vino Latte, Wausau Wausau Wellness Center Ski’s Meat Market, Rib Mountain Nueske’s Company Store, Wittenberg Bletsoe’s Cheese, Marathon

Gunning took advantage of some great resources in the area, like the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp at the City of Wausau’s Entrepreneurial and Education Center. Not only did he learn more about how to start a business, but he was able to make a lot of great connections which helped him source his retail space, equipment and the myriad item needed to start a business.

“The community as a whole is very curious and very supportive, but without a lot of pressure,” said Gunning. The encouragement and ideas from the community were extremely helpful.

The first year was a great learning experience for Gunning. He started selling Wausome Wafers in the area and partnered with a variety of businesses outside of the region. Wausome Wafers can be found in grocery and specialty stores in ten states.

In addition to working with grocery and specialty stores to sell the wafers, Gunning works very closely with several Wisconsin cheesemakers to use the highest quality cheese. The wafers are made entirely of cheese, but do not need to be refrigerated and have a shelf life of several months.

Business continues to grow for Wausome, even while there have been a few competitors trying to create a similar product. “As word gets out about how amazing cheese crisps are, we expect that to continue ... and it’s good for our business if it does!” said Gunning.

Gunning hopes to expand Wausome into a brand that produces many different products, and a facility that provides space for other food manufacturers in the area, including a retail store and perhaps a lunch counter.

Visit wausome.com to learn more about Gunning’s business.

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CONTRITUBED PHOTOS

A Community of Giving H

ow many communities that you know have a nonprofit organization created by a third grader? Peyton Medick was just eight years old when she started Peyton’s Promise. It all started when she was watching Diane Sawyer interview a young boy named Ivan Stevens from Camden, New Jersey who really didn’t understand the concept of breakfast, lunch, or dinner— he was only able to eat when he was fortunate enough to have food.

PEYTON MEDICK

That is when Peyton decided to help those in need. Peyton’s Promise is a 501(c)3 and has three objectives: to raise awareness about the problem of hunger, to keep food pantry shelves full, and to fight childhood obesity. Peyton is now in high school, and the organization has grown over the years.

Two hundred twenty-five tons of food have been donated as well as thousands of dollars.

When Peyton started, she also didn’t know that her food drive would turn into the huge success that it is today. Now, she wishes that she wouldn’t have named it Peyton’s Promise. She said, “It may be called Peyton’s Promise, but it is not about me. I do not collect all this food; I couldn’t do it without the help of the community, friends, and family nor would it be what it is today.”

STORY BY KAREN NERISON

8 www.wausauchamber.com

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Warming Shelter, and the Women’s Community, all of which exist to serve those in need and to give them hope.

Several regional businesses and organizations support Peyton’s Promise with everything from food drives to financial donations.

Abby Bank, DC Everest Area School District, Everest Youth Football League, Pick ‘N Save, and the Village of Weston are just some of the supporters. In the DC Everest Area School District, there are several student advocates who help coordinate food drives in the schools.

One advocate even came up with the concept of ‘Hunt Down Hunger.’ This is an annual competition during hunting season created by one of Peyton’s Promise’s advocates. All of the DC Everest schools participate to see who can collect the most food.

The winning school receives the traveling trophy for a year.

In addition, the volunteers and advocates for Peyton’s Promise have made a point to encourage healthier food donations so they can offer healthier choices to families in need. Canned fruit, whole grain pasta, brown rice and whole grain cereals are donation options that provide nutritional value.

When Peyton was asked what her favorite moment has been over the past eight years, she said, “The most interesting person I have met is Diane Sawyer on World News Tonight. I was in the studio for a segment to promote Peyton’s Promise and Sawyer made a point to meet me.” Part of the conversation between Peyton and Diane included an update on Ivan Stevens, the boy from New Jersey who sparked the concept of Peyton’s Promise.

The time spent with Sawyer is only matched by the time Peyton was asked to carry the Olympic Torch in England. Peyton met several Olympic athletes including Summer Sanders, a former competitive swimmer and Olympic champion, who put her medal around Peyton’s neck and called her the true Olympian.

“The most important thing we try to work on with Peyton’s Promise is to teach people the importance of donating to make sure people have a meal. If I were in a situation where I need a little help, I would appreciate it. We may not be able to solve the hunger problem, but can definitely make it better.” Peyton said.

There are several ways that all of us can help Peyton’s Promise.

There is always a need for more food, and to make it easy to donate there are big green boxes located at Pick N’ Save stores in the area. In addition, Abby Bank and the Village of Weston take food donations. You can also check out the Peyton’s Promise page on Facebook for upcoming events and opportunities to volunteer.

“It may be called Peyton’s Promise, but it is not about me.” - Peyton Medick KEEP MOVING Maintaining a healthy lifestyle isn’t just about what you eat - exercise is also important. “You just have to keep moving,” said Peyton.

Your Needs are My Priority

The Soup Can Workout is a program where kids from age four to 18 are asked to bring two cans of food to a workout program. They learn different exercises using the soup cans, and they also learn how to workout when they are at home.

A REALTOR with...

“We can’t get kids to stop watching television, but we can give them exercises to do during the commercials.” Peyton said. This is where the Commercial Sit comes in (aka the V-sit). In the Soup Can Workout, kids are taught how to hold a position during an entire commercial break. Some of the kids don’t begin with the needed endurance, but they try and, eventually, they succeed.

MAKING AN IMPACT One person really can have a huge impact. Because the Wausau Region is receptive to collaboration, Peyton’s Promise now partners with other organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Wausau

First Weber Group 2100 Stewart Ave, Suite 200 Wausau, WI 54401 CENTRAL TIME www.wausauchamber.com 9

CONTRITUBED PHOTOS

STORY BY PAUL NICOLAUS

Innovative Healthcare P ioneering. Groundbreaking. Stateof-the-art. These terms can be tossed around pretty easily, but in the Wausau Region, healthcare is paving its own way toward a fascinating future, and there are plenty of illustrations to back it up.

Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital in Weston was one of the first all-electronic health record hospitals in the country when it opened in 2005 and has been named one of America’s Most-Wired Hospitals each year since.

“Saint Clare’s has won a number of awards year over year around clinical quality, safety, and efficiency because of our electronic health records,” says President Mary Krueger. “It drives best practice, it drives safe practice, and it speeds up practice.”

The hospital anchors the Weston Regional Medical Center along with Ministry Medical Group’s Weston Clinic and Marshfield Clinic Weston Center. In addition, the Diagnostic & Treatment Center, a service of Marshfield Clinic

10 www.wausauchamber.com

CENTRAL TIME

and Ministry Health Care, offers advanced diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical services.

Healthcare doesn’t just occur inside a hospital’s walls, Krueger points out, and the move to electronic records allows patients’ medical history and medication information to follow them from a hospital or clinic to a nursing home or pharmacy in order to facilitate seamless care regardless of setting. As she looks ahead, Krueger says one of the fastest growing areas of innovation is care aimed at seniors so that they can live more independently within their own homes.

These thoughts are echoed by Maria Gulan, vice president of operations and service development with Aspirus, who says the needs of homebound patients are beginning to be addressed in unique ways through the use of telemonitoring. “There can be a patient at home and we can help keep them at home by checking their daily weight, their blood pressure and vital signs remotely,” she says.

CLOSE-TO-HOME CARE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Robotic Surgery Family Medicine Prenatal Care Heart and Surgical Services Family Birth Center Emergency Services ... and many more services for you and your family!

Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital 3400 Ministry Parkway, Weston Ministry Medical Group 3301 Cranberry Boulevard, Weston 3301 Rib Mountain Drive, Wausau

Find a Doctor at ministryhealth.org/findadoctor

For appointments, call 715.393.3900 ministryhealth.org

Advances in technology are saving on time and travel in other ways as well. “If they live in a rural area or an area where they don’t have a particular specialist they can have a telehealth visit,” Gulan says. A video monitor allows the physician or provider to see and talk to the patient and even perform tasks such as taking blood pressure or examining the throat and ears.

JOINING FORCES Although fresh ideas and forms of practice are bubbling over within individual healthcare systems, news of a recent grant project has helped reveal the collaborative nature that is bringing organizations and their collective resources together. North Central Health Care was awarded a $370,771 grant for the development of a specialty residency program targeting psychiatry, which will take a new approach to help solve a long-standing concern.

While there is a statewide and nationwide shortage in psychiatrists, that shortage is even more severe in rural areas explains Gary Bezucha, CEO of North Central Health Care, and recruiting these professionals has proven difficult. The residency program will look to address that deficiency head on.

“We’ll actually train psychiatrists here,” Bezucha says. “They’ll go through their four-year residency here in Northcentral Wisconsin,

and once they complete that residency hopefully some of them will stay. There is reason to believe, and there is actual evidence to support this, that medical residents generally stay in the area where they trained at the rate of about 66 percent.”

“No one organization is able to provide an adequate training experience or residency here, so this is going to require a collaborative effort between all the providers,” Bezucha adds. “We’ve put together a very large consortium of individual entities that all have a stake in the psychiatry shortage in this area and all are willing to work together to make the residency successful.”

North Central Health Care will work in partnership with Aspirus Health, Marshfield Clinic, Medical College of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Inc., Ministry Health, Portage County Mental Health, VA Health, and Wood County Mental Health.

The effort is just one example of competing organizations joining forces in order to work toward a community need and a greater good. “I’m very proud of Marathon County,” says Krueger. “I think we’re very fortunate to have the type of people working in both public and private healthcare systems and the level of collaboration around doing what’s best for the people in our county.”

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CONTRITUBED PHOTOS

Made in the Wausau Region

S

atisfying each and every taste bud with food and drink created right here is not just a possibility – it’s a piece of cake.

Whether you’re searching for a tasty lager, mouth-watering cut of meat, or a delicious assortment of cheeses, we’ve got you covered.

WORLD CLASS BEER Take Red Eye Brewing Company, for example.

Located in the City of Wausau, this establishment serves up world class beer crafted by awardwinning brewmaster Kevin Eichelberger. With a slew of brew on tap, patrons can belly up to the bar and stay a while or carry out a favorite in a howler (two pints) or growler (four pints).

“We brew really small, full-flavored beers,” Eichelberger said. “They don’t travel any more than about 40 feet from the point of where we brew them to when you get them on tap and in a glass.” Best-sellers include Thrust (an American-style IPA) and Bloom (a Belgium wheat), but the menu is ever-evolving, including seasonals like an Oktoberfest.

There’s more than just the beverages at Red Eye, though. Artisan pizzas compliment a full menu of burgers, paninis, and wraps. It’s important that when diners leave they feel

they’ve gotten good value for money spent, Eichelberger said, and that involves not just high-quality cuisine but also the level of service and the atmosphere created by elements like lighting and music.

One key ingredient of the overall ambiance is a dedication to all things local, which reveals itself in a variety of ways. The restaurant cooks pizzas using hardwoods harvested from the area and uses paper products provided by the Wausau Paper mill, for starters.

The company also grows many of its own vegetables and herbs in raised garden beds, works with area farms to gather the freshest ingredients, uses buns made by Kreger’s Bakery & Deli, and brews selections featuring Wisconsin grown malt and hops.

HOMEGROWN MEATS Country Fresh Meats in Weston is another business satisfying the appetites of locals.

Family-owned since 1980, this full-service meat shop provides butchering, custom processing, and retail meat sales. Although their convenience store products can be found nationally, there is a distinctly homegrown feel to the company as well.

STORY BY PAUL NICOLAUS 12 www.wausauchamber.com

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Made for Growing Business “Starting your own business is quite a challenge and getting the financing in order is a major hurdle. Peoples recognized the potential in us and walked us through the paperwork and the process of getting an SBA loan.

This can be an extensive process but Peoples was there to answer any questions and closed our loan quickly. As our needs have evolved and our business has grown, Peoples continues to be more than a bank, they are a partner and a sounding board for our business.”

-Kevin Eichelberger,

Red Eye Brewing Company Co-owner & Brewmaster

Call or visit Peoples today for more information on business lending solutions.

888.929.9902 | www.bankpeoples.com/business

Always see the Potential.

Member FDIC

Specially selected beef starts with Black Angus cattle raised nearby.

“If anybody comes in and orders a half or quarter of beef, that beef that they’re going to get was raised right on the farm,” said Mia Bayer, part-owner. “We know what it’s fed, we know how it’s been treated, we know how it’s been handled, which is a big selling point for us.”

“We make everything in-house. It is made in Marathon County.”

- Mia Bayer, part-owner of Country Fresh Meats

“We strive to keep it a little old-fashioned,” says Bayer. This means an eye toward minimizing the amount of added preservatives and extras, stuffing the meat using natural casings, and smoking it using real wood chips in one of their four massive smokehouses.

Touches like glass-bottled milk add to this Old World feel and complement an array of products that extend beyond the meat itself such as maple syrup, honey, spices, and barbeque sauces.

In addition, Country Fresh Meats relies on other regional manufacturers – Bletsoe Cheese in Marathon and Mullins Cheese in Knowlton – for the selections sold in blocks and added into their snack stick packages.

Ask Bayer about the beauty of their way of running a business and the response comes both easily and naturally: “We make everything in-house,” she says. “It is made in Marathon County.”

MCDEVCO Inc. helps businesses seize the opportunities our region’s superior connectivity provides.

For more information, contact Jim Warsaw, Economic Development Director

715-848-5970

jwarsaw@wausauchamber.com

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CONTRITUBED PHOTO

Dreams Pursued at UWMC

I

t took Angie Hagan, a 2001 D.C. Everest High School graduate, over a decade before she found the confidence to enroll in college. Her motivation to do so was to create a better future for her children.

So with encouragement from a friend, in the spring of 2013, she met with a student affairs advisor at the University of Wisconsin-Marathon County (UWMC) to explore her educational options. It’s a step this single mother of three from the Village of Kronenwetter doesn’t regret, as she’s since found a supportive, educational home at UWMC, which has served thousands of Marathon County residents since 1933 when it opened as an extension of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“I wanted to go to college since I graduated from high school, but it took me 10 years to decide to enroll.” says Hagan, who is taking 16 credits this semester, works three part-time jobs and has a 3.6 GPA. “I didn’t want the life I had without an education. I want my kids to see that if you don’t like the way your life is, then you need to make a change. UWMC made it possible for me to live that dream and to be a role model for my kids.

“When I first started looking into college, I didn’t think I was UW material. I was terrified that I wasn’t smart enough,” says Hagan. “I looked into Globe and Rasmussen, but they didn’t offer what I was looking for. I didn’t want online classes because I learn better in a classroom setting.”

SUBMITTED STORY

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Visit one of our area branches: 110 South 1st Ave., Wausau 2200 Oriole Ln., Rib Mountain 3807 Schofield Ave., Weston 27 Brown Blvd., Rothschild 800-398-2667 • www.covantagecu.org Hagan isn’t unlike a lot of UWMC students. She grew up in a working-class family, and she is a first-generation college student.

CLOSE TO HOME Fifty-nine percent of new freshmen at UWMC are first-generation collegians, and they come from all corners of the county, driving an average of 15 miles from their residences to UWMC, one of 13 freshman and sophomore colleges in the University of Wisconsin System.

“I want my kids to see that if you don’t like the way your life is, then you need to make a change” - Angie Hagan In addition to being an accessible and affordable university (annual tuition and fees at UWMC is $5,120, a savings of more than $2,000 a year compared with UW System four-year universities) for Marathon County residents, UWMC is a school of excellence, as evidenced by the success of its graduates, many of whom return to the county to live, work and start their own businesses.

During the 2014-15 academic year, 82 percent of UWMC graduates who transferred to UW-Madison, UW-Eau Claire or another fouryear UW campus as a full-time student earned their bachelor’s degrees. By comparison, 74 percent of full-time students who enrolled immediately after high school at those same institutions graduated.

PLENTY OF SUPPORT As for Hagan, she credits UWMC for helping her get started on her bachelor’s degree. “I love the smaller, more welcoming campus. My professors have been wonderful; they’ve been really understanding and have worked with me when things outside of school have affected my ability to get to class or get an Nearly 1,100 students assignment in on time.

currently attend UWMC.

“In addition, the Of these students: support programs have • 75% are Marathon County residents been outstanding,” says Hagan, who plans • 16% of new freshmen are minorities to major in business • 26 % are 22 or older finance and accounting after completing her • 43% are part-time associate’s degree • 66% receive financial aid at UWMC. “I have actively worked with the folks in the TRIO program to improve my math and writing skills. They’ve not only helped me to understand the material better, but they have been so supportive.”

“By starting college at UWMC, my confidence has really grown, and I know I am on the right career path. I’m not sure I would be as confident in my ability to do college-level work if I had started at a bigger campus.”

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Discover Employers A list of some of the major employers in the Wausau Region: NAME

LOCATION

EMPLOYEES NAME

LOCATION

EMPLOYEES

Aspirus

Various 1,000+

Marshfield Clinic

Various

2,000+

Crystal Finishing Systems Inc

Schofield

North Central Health Care

Wausau

1,000+

Domtar Paper Co LLC

Rothschild

Northcentral Technical College

Various

1,000+

Eastbay Inc

Wausau

1,000+

UMR

Wausau 1,000+

Expera Specialty Solutions

Mosinee

250+

Walmart

Rib Mountain

Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork

Wausau

1,000+

Wausau Homes Inc

Rothschild

Land O’ Lakes

Spencer

1,000+

Wausau Paper Corp

Mosinee

750+

Liberty Mutual

Wausau

1,000+

Wausau Window & Wall Systems Wausau

1,000+

Marathon Cheese Corp

Marathon

1,000+

West Corp

Wausau

250+

Marathon Electric

Wausau

1,000+

WPS Health Insurance

Wausau

2,000+

1,000+ 250+

250+ 1,000+

Source: worknet.wisconsin.gov

Exceeding Your

Expectations!

Sean Strahota

Michelle Knopf Randy Balk

Julie Jacobson

Serving the Community’s Banking Needs Since 1952.

EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

Waus au S ch o fie ld We s t o n

Member

FDIC NMLS 433884

EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

16 www.wausauchamber.com

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3 6 0 0 St e w ar t A v e n ue 9 6 2 G r an d A v e 2 9 0 0 Sch o fie ld A v e

7 1 5 -2 4 1 - 0 4 0 0 7 1 5 -3 5 9 - 4 2 3 1 7 1 5 -3 5 9 - 4 9 2 0

Recreational Opportunities Outdoor Recreation

More on Recreation in the Wausau Region

There’s plenty of fun to be had outdoors in the Wausau Region. Here’s a list of just of a few of the many activities that can be enjoyed in the area: Archery

Gardening

Shooting

Bird Watching

Geocaching

Skateboarding

Boating

Golf

Sledding

Cycling

Hiking

Softball

Camping

Hockey

Snowmobiling

Canoeing

Ice Fishing

Strawberry Picking

Cross-Country Skiing

Ice Skating

Swimming

Curling

Kayaking

Tennis

Dancing

Paintball

Tubing

Disc Golf

Pickleball

Volleyball

Downhill Skiing

RC Flying

Water Skiing

Fishing

Running

The Wausau/ Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau produces a bi-annual magazine detailing recreational opportunities and more things to do in the area.

Visit their office near the 400 Block or online at visitwausau.com.

and much more!

Innovative Business of the Year Awarded by the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce

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PHONE

DEDICATED

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RESIDENTIAL or BUSINESS SERVICES and PLANS

800-421-9282 LEARN MORE AT SOLARUS.NET

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PHOTO BY IRIS OTTEN

Wausau Named One of America’s Best Communities

W

ausau was named one of only 50 communities in the nation to advance to the quarterfinals of the ‘America’s Best Communities’ competition in April 2015. The contest is sponsored

by Frontier Communications, DISH Network, CoBank and The Weather Channel. This three-year competition lasts until April of 2017 and involves three more levels of elimination, with the final winner receiving $3 million for a community revitalization project and the title of America’s Best Community.

As one of only two Wisconsin communities to advance out of almost 140 applications, Wausau received $50,000 and a corporate sponsor partner to help further develop the strategic community and economic revitalization plans outlined in the initial application.

“It’s an honor to be selected with 49 other communities across the country as a part of the America’s Best Communities competition.” said Aaron Kapellusch, President and CEO of the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce. “We had many key collaborators involved in the submission process and it’s great to see our collective hard work pay off. We look forward to the next round and want the country to know that Wausau is a great place for people of all ages to work, live and play. It really is America’s Best Community” STORY BY BRIAN OTTEN

18 www.wausauchamber.com

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Mount View Care Center Skilled Nursing, Short-term Rehabilitation & Dementia Care

Outpatient, Inpatient and Community Treatment Services Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment, Recovery & Support

Accessible, Specialized Care that Grows with Our Community.

24/7 Crisis Center Crisis Prevention, Care & Recovery

North Central Health Care has been here a long time. We’ve seen a lot of change in our communities — and we’ve continually evolved to meet those changes. As a health care organization, adaptability is critical to ensuring we meet the needs of all those we serve.

We ensure that each individual receives customized, innovative care designed around his or her abilities and challenges.

Residential Services Group Homes & Supported Apartments

Developmental Disabilities Services Adult Day Services Prevocational Services Birth to Three Children’s Long-Term and Family Support

Our main campus is nestled on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Wausau, and compassionately serves our communities through accessible, specialized care.

Aquatic Physical Therapy Adult Protective Services

www.norcen.org | 715.848.4600

Compassionately Serving the Residents of Marathon, Lincoln and Langlade Counties

In early 2016, 15 semifinalists will attend the America’s Best Communities summit to present their strategies to a panel of judges.

Eight finalists will then be selected and awarded an additional $100,000 to begin the implementation of their plans over the next 11 months, with the top three winners being awarded $1 million, $2 million and $3 million in prize money in April 2017.

“We’ve said it before, and now we have proof: Wausau is one of America’s Best Communities,” said Steve Jones, Frontier general manager for the Wausau market. “With this major victory in the first round of the America’s Best Communities “We’ve said it before, and competition, Wausau now we have proof: Wausau has taken an important is one of America’s Best step forward in its Communities.” work to revitalize our - Steve Jones, general manager, local economy and Frontier Communications enhance quality of life.”

For more information on the America’s Best Community Prize Competition, please visit AmericasBestCommunities.com or contact the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce at 715-8456231 or visit WausauChamber.com.

BETTER TOGETHER

The Woodson YMCA has opportunities for everyone, from infants to seniors.

Programs that strengthen our community in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

From yoga to youth sports, from ballroom to bootcamp...

The Y. So Much More.

WOODSON YMCA Sign up for membership and start Unlimited Yoga today! Current members pay only $10 per month for classes at the Woodson YMCA in Wausau or Weston.

Wausau Branch 707 Third St. Wausau, WI 715-845-2177

WOODSON YMCA Aspirus Branch 3402 Howland Ave. Weston, WI 715-841-1850

www.woodsonymca.com

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One Vision.

that always sees a person, not a medical record

Yours.

Visit us for all your preventative eye care, eye condition management, eye surgery, and hearing needs Antigo • Medford • Merrill • Rhinelander • Stevens Point • Wausau • Wisconsin Rapids

800.472.0033 eyeclinicwi.com

About the Region Housing: Home Rental (no utilities): $600-650

Marathon County population:

Apartment Rental (no utilities): $500-550

1930: 70,629

Apartment Rental (heat included): $600-650

1970: 97,457

Executive Apartment Rental: $700-900

1980: 111,270

Median Sales Price of Home: $141,700

1990: 115,400

Estimated Construction Cost: $120-$175 sq. ft.

2000: 125,834

Purchase Costs/Average Price New Home:

2010: 134,063

Persons Per Household In Marathon County: 2.49

Basic ranch style home, 3 bedroom: $130,000-$140,000 Executive home, 4 bedroom: $250,000-$500,000 (Example amenities: wooded lot, Terra-Lok driveway, top-of-the-line kitchen cabinets, ceramic tile, master bedroom/bath, walk-in closets) Custom-made, luxury home, 4 bedroom: $400,000 - $1,500,000 (Example amenities: grand cathedral/vaulted ceilings, free-standing staircases, spacious foyers, master suites, numerous built-ins and fireplaces) County tax rates: co.marathon.wi.us/Departments/CountyTreasurer/TaxRatesandRatios.aspx

Find information on employers in the Wausau Region at

Walk in without an appoinment

WausauChamber.com

Sore throats, ear aches, sinus infections, cold or flu symptoms, urinary tract infections, insect bites and more. FastCare is healthcare from Aspirus professionals but you don’t have to be one of their patients - just someone that wants high quality, low cost care.

Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 7:30 pm Saturday 9 am - 5 pm Sunday 10 am - 2 pm Holidays 10 am - 2 pm Located Inside ÂŽ

200 S. 18th Avenue Wausau

715-842-3084

715-845-6231 | info@wausauchamber.com

Patients must be 18 months or older.

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About the Region

Marathon County, created in 1850, is named after the Greek city of Marathon. Located in central Wisconsin, the county seat is Wausau.

Land Area: 1,544.968 sq miles

Geographical Province: Northern Highland

Water Area: 31.18 sq miles Elevation: 1,195 ft at Wausau, 1,924 ft at Queens Chair on Rib Mountain (fourth highest point in Wisconsin), 1,605 ft at Upper Mosinee Hill

Natural Vegetation: Mostly maple, hemlock, and yellow birch; a narrow strip with white and red pine in center. Southwest: small area of conifer swamp.

With a Variety of Unique retail stores, Quality services & Lively events, Wausau River District is the ideal place to Live, Work & Play!

Join us here to

Experience the Unexpected!

Photos by: Brent Zeinert

22 www.wausauchamber.com

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The right kind of schools.

RIGHT IN YOUR BACKYARD.

In Weston, it’s not which trail,

IT’S HOW YOU TRAVEL IT. D.C. Everest Junior High School (D.C . Everest School district)

Eau Claire River

A place for education, fun, your parents, great health care and more!

It’s Right Here.

Learn more about what makes Weston special at www.westonwi.gov.

Where they live, should feel like home.

CLOSE TO YOU.

The right kind of care.

RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. Stoney River Retirement & Assisted Living Facility

Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital

Your Ticket to More • 500+ slot games • Over 100 progressive machines • Free Valet Parking • RV & Semi Parking space availability • Whitetail Crossing Convenience Store • Scheduled Motorcoach trips • Full Service Bar with daily specials • Snack Bar

N7198 US HWY 45 | WITTENBERG, WI 54499 | 866.910.0150 | 715.253.4400

N7198 US HWY 45, WITTENBERG, WI 54499

Visit us online

866.910.0150 | ho-chunkgaming.com/wittenberg

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Cycling is Part of the Package M

arathon County is on the path to becoming a healthier county.

Biking is just one of the many recreational activites available in this region.

Tim Wissbroecker with Greenheck Fan Corp bikes to work every day of the year, even in subzero temperatures. He bikes for two reasons, to save money on gas and to help him train for triathlons and other races. Wissbroecker, who was struck by a vehicle while on a training ride, was very appreciative when a marked bike route around Marathon County was completed. He feels it makes everyone aware of the cyclist on the road.

“This is especially true in the springtime when more people are out on the biking route and drivers are getting used to people being out and about again.” Wissbroeker said.

BIKE BENEFITS The number of bike-friendly communities in the United States is steadily and the Wausau Region has taken steps to build appeal for cyclists, many of whom are part of the young professional workforce.

Employers also benefit from these routes as they can use this local feature to hire young,

energetic workers who are eager to take advantage of all the other benefits of living in the Wausau Region.

Nathan Schwanz, who works in the local office of Congressman Sean Duffy agrees that biking helps attract young professionals, but he also feels that biking is part of the bigger package that the Wausau Region has to offer.

Young professionals move where the jobs are, but there is also an increased emphasis on recreational opportunities.

“It has to be both; young professionals are looking for a work-life balance. Young professionals really want the whole package and that is what attracts them to move to a certain community.” Schwanz said.

The increased attention to cyclists’ needs in the Wausau Region have resulted in designated bicycle lanes and trails, and well-marked bike routes.

Gary Barden, of Gary Barden Design and the president of Central Wisconsin Off-road Cycling Coalition, is enthusiastic about every type of cycling, “There is so much momentum in Marathon County for cycling. Everyone involved is creating a safe and exciting cycling culture.”

STORY BY KAREN NERISON 26 www.wausauchamber.com

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Affordable.

Employable.

Transferable.

• 170+ program options, with transfer opportunities to Wisconsin’s four-year colleges • Flexible learning options, including Virtual College and late start courses • Customized training, professional development and continuing education opportunities • Exceptional job placement (nine out of ten graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation) without extensive debt Northcentral Technical College 715.675.3331 | www.ntc.edu

Member

FDIC

Connect with like-minded professionals, gain leadership skills, and help make a difference in our community.

Checking Accounts Online Banking & Bill Pay Savings—Retirement—HSAs Visa® Credit/Debit/Gift Cards Safe Deposit Boxes ATM & much more

Home Loans - Construction Loans - Home Improvement Loans Home Equity Line of Credit - Investment Property Loans

Great Rates - Great Options - Great Service!

Become an Emerging Leader. www.UnitedWayMC.org/EmergingLeaders/ Find us on Facebook

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About the Region Climate: The Wausau Region has four distinct seasons. Annually, the area receives an average of approximately 31.6 inches of precipation.

The average daily high temperatures range from 20.8 degrees in the month of January to 84.3 degrees in the month of July.

Be A Part of the Momentum!

- Engage with young professionals - Empower yourself with personal and professional development programs - Get excited to work and play in the region A workforce development - Enjoy discounted or free admission to events initiative of the - Have your voice heard in the community

Discover opportunities at e3yp.org or contact Nick O’Brien at 715.848.5965 or nobrien@wausauchamber.com.

28 www.wausauchamber.com

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Meet me downtown at the

Washington Square - The Shops on 3rd Street - The Palladian At the 300 Block, Historic Downtown Wausau

Shop.

Dine.

Stay. Play!

Professional Services

Lodging

Jefferson Street Inn

Distinctive Shops

Clay Corner Studio Lamplighter Fine Gifts Modify House to Home

Fine Apparel

Campbell Haines Menswear Isaac’s Fine Apparel St. Clair’s Menswear Standing Ovations Boutique

Alzheimers Association City Pages Central Wisconsin Visitors Center CH Robinson Worldwide Chamber of Commerce Compass Properties Darlene Antoniewicx, Wellness Coach Executive Cleaning GEM Learning Center Hermening Financial Group KJWW Engineering Mudrovich Architects Nike Pfefferrle Management PK Creations Ridgestone Bank Rosemary Barnes, CPA Sentinel Detective Agency Studio 2 Photography Then and Now Photography Wisconsin Financial Wealth Management Wisconsin Woodchucks

Dining

Allister Deacon’s Coffee Haus City Grill Bistro J. Gumbo’s Jalapeño’s Mexican Restaurante & Bar Polito’s Pizza Sweet Lola’s Cupcakery

Wellness/Beauty Services

Absolute Hair Salon Blonde & Beyond Salon Community Soul Yoga Dayspring Health Spa Merle Norman Cosmetics

ly ts OnUni t!

2 le f

URBAN. LUXURY. LIVING. For More Information Please Contact: Compass Properties 715-849-8480 palladianwausau.com

Advertiser’s Index Aspirus Wausau Hospital Fast Care........................................... 21 Becher-Hoppe Associates...............5 Coldwell Banker Action................23 Compass Properties.......................29 CoVantage Credit Union ..............15 E3YP..................................................28 Eye Clinic of Wisconsin.................20 First Weber Group Karen Harvey......................................9 Frontier Communications ............................................Back Cover

MCDEVCO....................................13 Ministry Health Care....................... 11 North Central Health Care...........19 Northcentral Technical College....27 Peoples State Bank..........................13

It tests not only what you think makes an effective leader, but more prevalently focuses on self-awareness and its’ role in leadership.”

Solarus.................................................17 Sun Printing Inc...............................30 Time Federal Savings Bank............27 Town of Rib Mountain...................25

Intercity State Bank........................16

Village of Weston............................24

Leadership Excellence...................30

Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce........................................ 21

30 www.wausauchamber.com

CHAD SAPINSKI, Mid-Wisconsin Beverage “Leadership Excellence is an energizing class that forces you to view things in a different perspective.

SC Swiderski LLC..............................7

United Way of Marathon County Emerging Leaders............................27

Marshfield Clinic ...............................Inside Front Cover

any aspiring business person to attend regardless of age or level of education.”

River Valley Bank.............................31

Ho-Chunk Gaming, Wittenberg.......................................25

Main Street Wausau....................... 22

“I highly recommend

Wausau School District..................15 Woodson YMCA.............................19

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For more information on the program or to register, visit wausauchamber.com and click the Leadership Excellence link or call 715-845-6231.

Create Confidence Create Change Create Community

Live Work Play With River Valley

At River Valley, we are here for the things you need and want, whether it’s a simple savings account, a mortgage for your dream home or a loan for that great fishing boat. We are also a great place to work, with competitive wages, great benefits and a fun environment.

www.rivervalleybank.com

www.rivervalley-insurance.com

Member FDIC

River Valley Insurance Agency, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of River Valley Bank. Products offered by River Valley Insurance are not a deposit obligation, not FDIC insured and not guaranteed by River Valley Bank.

1-888-875-0514

Frontier.com

Š2014 Frontier Communications Corporation. Some services subject to availability.