The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation says city officials, business owners, developers, and residents are working together to revive the City of Kiel’s downtown.
Secretary Missy Hughes made a stop in the “little city that does big things” on Wednesday (June 4th) before stopping in Manitowoc.
Hughes met with City Administrator Dave Funkhouser and Progress Lakeshore to tour Yard 65 Brewery and event venue to see what’s become of a former furniture factory that was largely unused for more than 20 years.
A $250,000 Community Development Investment grant from the WEDC in 2024 help Owners Jason and Jennifer Knuth transform the space into a brewpub and event center for weddings, reunions, and more.
Hughes was also in Kiel to highlight the $60,000 Small Business Development grant to expand the city’s Revolving Loan Fund program.
Funkhouser said, “We’re going to be pretty wide open to any suggestion or opportunity as long as it shows there is a connection to the growth and vitality of the downtown and their business.”
A recent survey of the city identified 20 underused buildings, nine vacant properties, and 33 facades in need of aesthetic improvements in the downtown corridor.
