Two grants from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) have kick-started two projects for the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and Craft Creek Brewing.
The Maritime Museum received a $40,000 Vibrant Spaces Grant to redo the asphalt parking lot in front of the future Heritage Center to create the Captain Carus Maritime Garden project.
Executive Director Kevin Cullen gave a tour of the building to WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes, sharing the vision of what they hope it will become.
He later told Seehafernews.com that with the grant money, the museum will be able to break ground as soon as this summer.
“They certainly saw the vision for the space and recognized its importance,” he stated. “So, we’re just very grateful with now that $40,000 to really be that kind of that last bit that we really need to break ground.”
Cullen says the grant funding helps with two other major projects the Wisconsin Maritime Museum is doing, which include the dry docking of the USS Cobia and remodeling a portion of the Heritage Center.
“Over the next few years, you’re going to see a lot of activity on this property,” he explained. “That’s because we’re finally taking the initiative and investing back into the property. And really, for that it’s because we’re caring for priceless shipwreck artifacts.”
Hughes then went to Craft Creek Brewing on 9th Street to learn about how they would utilize their $5,000 Main Street Place Makeover grant.
Co-founder Andrew Hogan explained that the $5,000 grant will go toward creating a pergola-style structure for customers to enjoy the outdoors, and they plan to “have some seating around a fire pit as well as an area for games and potentially a large screen for sport events viewing.”
The grant will also provide more access for people who want to bring their four-legged friends along for events like the Bike n’Brew and Dogs Day Out.
Members from Progress Lakeshore also attended the tour.
Hughes also made a stop in Kiel after the city got $60,000 to supplement its façade revolving loans for business improvements.
She also took a tour of Yard 65 Brewery, which just opened last year.
