The numbers tell part of the story.Tourism generated $216 million in local spending in 2022, while the city secured over $2.4 million in state and federal grants for brownfield cleanup projects. But Manitowoc’s transformation runs deeper than financial metrics. “We’ve always built things in Manitowoc, and we continue to build things,” Tegen says, referencing a manufacturing tradition that employs thousands across heavy manufacturing, food processing, and emerging technology sectors. Recent expansions by Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, Lakeside Foods, and Briess Malt demonstrate how local companies are stepping up after the departure of longtime employers like Mirro Aluminum Company. Natural resources provide another competitive edge. The city controls 5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and the Manitowoc River runs through downtown, creating opportunities for recreation and redevelopment. Progress on the River Point District, a 20-acre mixed-use project along the river, and movement on the long-stalled 36-acre former Mid-Cities Mall site signal renewed momentum. “It’s all about livability for the city of Manitowoc,” Tegen explains, outlining a strategy that balances infrastructure investment, business incentives, and quality of life improvements. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION Manitowoc’s downtown transformation follows a deliberate three-phase approach that many midsized cities might study. The city invested first in fundamentals: streetscaping, decorative lighting, landscaping, and small parks. Phase two introduced economic tools, including two tax increment finance districts that enable targeted business incentives. “We have a facade program that is a matching grant up to $25,000 per facade,” Tegen explains. “If a business invests $50,000 in their exterior, they get $25,000 of that back from the city.” The program has already sparked visible improvements along downtown corridors, where local entrepreneurs are renovating historic buildings for new uses. The third phase focuses on business attraction and retention. City staff actively catalog vacant spaces, meet with existing businesses, and connect prospective tenants with property owners. “On the retail side, we know we’re not going to compete with the area along the interstate,” Tegen acknowledges. “Downtown is definitely a mom-and-pop, locally owned type of business community. We’re not going out there and trying to attract a large chain to put in the heart of our downtown.” Recent state funding validates this approach. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 MANITOWOC, WI
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