Business center open for business

WAUPACA – Governor Tony Evers joined in the ribbon cutting of the new business center adjacent to downtown Waupaca on Aug. 5, a project that started in July 2025 and with planning starting years before.
The city received a grant from the Flexible Facilities Program through the State of Wisconsin and the grant covered the entirety of the project which amounted to $4.165 million.
The new facility is part of the comprehensive plan of the city to help spur economic and development plans within the city.
The center includes tele-health rooms to help close the rural health gap and a business lounge, as well as high-speed internet, an audio-visual studio, business and conference rooms and three business suites.
The blue gym in the rec center was also expanded and now is 5,400 square feet of space.

Governor Evers praised the new facility as a means to close the digital divide among communities.
“This new facility provides additional spaces for folks to gather, learn,” he said. “A main driving factor in this project is expanding access to tech, the technology needed for folks to get ahead.”
High speed, reliable internet, Governor Evers said, can help with growing a business online, paying bills or finding a job.
“As a state, we must continue to invest in the success of our communities and the neighbors who make our state the great place to live,” Evers said. “You may have heard I declared 2026 the year of the neighbor in Wisconsin because I want to spend this year celebrating the neighbors who make our communities stronger … Those who find ways to work together to make life better, not just for this generation, but do it for generations to come.”
Laura Colbert, Director of Parks and Recreation, thanked those who were integral to the completion of the project including Greg Grohman, who wrote and helped secure the grant, Justin Berrens, interim city administrator and head of public works, as well as many more city employees and Ellis Construction, ThedaCare and Fox Valley Technical college.
“I really want to thank council members for taking a chance on this $4 million dollar grant,” Colbert said. “It’s a big, heavy lift and … so I really, really thank them for entrusting us in this and we want this to be a thriving hub for all purposes.”
Jeff Anderson, President of the Waupaca Area chamber of Commerce, said Colbert was the champion of the project, leading the charge in completing this undertaking.
“This center will provide aspired entrepreneurs, remote workers and small-business owners with a collaborative space to connect, innovate and access valuable resources to help them grow and succeed,” Anderson said.
The center is currently open; however, visitors will need a code to get in as well as a reservation for rooms like the audio-visual room and classrooms. This code will give access from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. More information can be found at www.waupacarec.com.