Business View Magazine | March 2018

170 WEST BEND, WISCONSIN ness pivot to an industry that is more relevant.We’re not so naïve to think that after 20 years,what has been done will always continue.We help them get where they need to be 20 years down the road; and make use of that land or structure, so it can still be a bright spot for the community.” Uniquely situated on Highway 45, just 40 minutes north of Milwaukee and 15 minutes south of Fox Valley,West Bend is a bit of a bedroom community serving those two larger regional centers- right in the middle where it can be its own community, but also give people the ability to be where they need to be.The city’s two large industrial parks are at 80 percent occupancy.At the same time, commercial is a big driving force behind the economy,because people do come in from the other cities to take advantage of what West Bend has to offer. “We’re growing all the time and keeping an eye on where we can build our residential population, as well,” says Shambeau.“West Bend is a communi- ty folks have chosen to reside in because of living wage jobs, a good school system (among the top 5 percent of high schools in the nation),and a great park and trail system.Our Parks Department is award-winning, statewide and nationwide, in many development and trail areas.We’ve recently received an award from the State Association for revamping