Manitowoc, Wisconsin

MANI TOWOC , WI SCONS IN adds. “That’s in our River Point District, overall a mixed-use area. We’re also trying to pull together a new housing project near downtown. That one would be 80 units and a senior housing reuse of a former tinsel factory. A very cool adaptive reuse if we can get the capital.” Manitowoc has invested heavily in downtown since many of the housing developments are near that area. The River Point District, adjacent to the city’s center, has had new infrastructure installed beginning this year with phase one almost complete. It’s a very substantial investment; new sewer, water, streets, parks, and a river wall. With more residents moving into the downtown core, Mayor Nickels maintains the area must be “very walkable.” Currently, there is The Mariners Trail Bike and Foot Path, which is a seven-mile trail that runs along Lake Michigan connecting Manitowoc with the City of Two Rivers. “You can stay overnight at a hotel downtown and walk to restaurants or bars,” says Nickels. “We’re working on more ways to make it even safer, like adding bike lanes. We’ve added some, and overall, we’re pretty pedestrian friendly.” Manitowoc’s downtown houses many local businesses but manufacturing is still the area’s bread and butter. Major companies include Lakeside Foods, Inc., Alliance Laundry System, and Manitowoc Tool & Manufacturing, LLC. “A new one, AMMO, Inc., from Arizona is going to be a large employer,” Mayor Nickels reports. “And we have a slew of manufacturing facilities around the city. We also have a lot of plastics companies like Kaysun Corporation and Redline Plastics.” Healthcare is starting to gain a foothold with several facilities opening, such as Aurora Medical Center and Holy Family Memorial (HFM). A group of Orthopedic Doctors are even building a new 50,000-square foot facility on the lake front. Banking is another major employer, with 8th Street Mayor Justin Nickels