Business View Civil Municipal - July 2023

35 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7 ASHWAUBENON, WISCONSIN Cheese, dairy products and “things that you would expect from the state of Wisconsin” also play big roles, as Gregozeski noted. Schuette said Ashwaubenon has a multi- pronged approach to attracting, bringing in and maintaining businesses. “We are big believers in the economic gardening philosophy,” he observed, “when it comes to growing new businesses in the community and nurturing those already here. That’s first and foremost our priority.” Whether a business is looking for a new location, or it’s a work force-related matter, or whatever issue needs to be dealt with, Ashwaubenon and its business community are there with an active solution, as Schuette declared. “We provide that personal touch,” he said, adding, “We are willing to work with businesses one on one. Whenever we can help, we’re there for them.” He continued that when it comes to helping local businesses, metaphorical guardrails–– not roadblocks––are the keys to success. Such guardrails also apply to development. “We don’t want to stop development,” said Schuette. “But we just want to be sure we foster development in such a way that it enhances our community.” And that community is a place for everyone, as he observed. “We’re trying to create a community that people want to be in,” said Schuette, “whether it’s the younger folks, the younger entrepreneurs or senior citizens, we want to create a 24-seven-365 community that’s walkable and has urban amenities and an urban feel to it.” That means, in part, a greater population density and building things closer to the street. “We want to make sure our community is welcoming,” Schuette continued, “and that is a place that’s not just the same-old, same-old––that is something that’s unique; a place people will look at and say, ‘You know what? I want to live there. I want to start my family there. I want to start my business there.’