Waukesha County’s Retzer Nature Center is thrilled to be a recipient of Kohl’s Hometown Giving Program grant that was awarded to the Friends of Retzer...
Friends of Retzer Nature Center Accepts $25k Grant from Kohl's Hometown Giving Program to Support Retzer's Discovery Trail Project
(Waukesha, WI) – Waukesha County’s Retzer Nature Center is thrilled to be a recipient of Kohl’s Hometown Giving Program grant that was awarded to the Friends of Retzer Nature Center to support the current Discovery Trail project. The Friends of Retzer Nature Center has transferred the $25,000 donation to the project for the design and construction of educational signage along the trail and at the various exploration stations.
“The donation from Kohl’s Hometown Giving Program is another great example of the corporate engagement culture we are fortunate to have in Waukesha County. Businesses understand that the quality of amenities in a community play an important role in attracting and retaining engaged employees,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow.
The Discovery Trail celebrated a Grand Opening on June 22, 2022, after the completion of the second phase of the project. The Kohl’s Hometown Giving Program grant will allow for the implementation of educational signage, which will complement and enhance all of the features and amenities that were constructed during the three phases of the project.
“We are thankful for Kohl’s continued philanthropic work in our community,” said Larry Kascht, President of the Friends of Retzer Nature Center. “Their support helps the Nature Center provide access into nature and educational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. The Friends is so pleased to be able to accept this donation to help advance the project further, faster.”
The Multi-Phase Project
Phase 1: Revitalizing and expanding accessibility of the paved trail with support from Waukesha Rotary Club and the Friends of Retzer Nature Center. The project was also supported by Community Development Block Grant funding to ensure ADA accessibility.
Phase 2: Gateway feature, exploration stations, natural stone outcrop seating wall and native plantings along the trail for outdoor education, sensory-based play experiences, and STEM activities.
Phase 3: Wing Span Station, Spider Web Station, and Mobile Sensory Station for programs were added. Finally, the Educational Signage supported by Kohl’s Hometown Giving Program grant.
Courthouse and County offices closed December 23 & 26; December 30 & January 2
Anticipated severe weather event may impact operations on Thursday, De...
Waukesha County Courthouse and Office Holiday Closures
(WAUKESHA, WI)–Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrowis reminding residents that the Waukesha County courthouse and County offices will be closed in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays on the following dates: December 23 & 26; December 30 & January 2.
All 24-hour operations such as the Emergency Communication Center, Jail, Mental Health Center, Public Works – Highways Division, and Sheriff’s Department will maintain their regular schedule.
Residents should also be aware that there is an anticipated severe winter weather eventanticipated for Thursday, December 22. This weather event may impact County office operations and hours.Individuals with appointments at the Waukesha County Courthouse on December 22, 2022, should anticipate longer commute times.
Information regarding any additional closures will be provided by the County Executive’s Office and will be available at www.waukeshacounty.gov. Residents may stay informed on the status of road conditions by visiting https://511wi.gov/ or calling 511. If you are in need of crisis resources, including warming centers or sheltering options, please call 211.
Waukesha County is pleased to announce a commitment of $4.5 million to the Waukesha County Center for Growth’s GROW Fund, accelerating its commitment ...
Waukesha County Executive Inks $4.5 Million Commitment to Waukesha County 'GROW' Fund
(WAUKESHA, WI) – Waukesha County is pleased to announce a commitment of $4.5 million to the Waukesha County Center for Growth’s GROW Fund, accelerating its commitment to area economic development. The Generating Resources and Opportunity in Waukesha County (GROW) Fund was created by the Waukesha County Center for Growth to provide access to financial resources to enable business expansion and attraction.
“This unprecedented strategic investment in the GROW Fund demonstrates our clear commitment to job creation and to growing our county’s economy,” stated Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “We have to keep our foot on the accelerator to remain competitive and help businesses locate and expand in Waukesha County.”
In 2019, four founding members – Town Bank, Bank Five Nine, Johnson Financial Bank, and BMO Harris Bank – contributed to create the initial $2 million GROW Fund. The GROW Fund assists businesses essential to the economic development of Waukesha County including manufacturing, service, and other commercial establishments looking to expand operations or seeking a re-location. It also benefits developers with projects that improve available housing stock, to meet the housing needs of existing and projected workforce growth. The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation manages the fund.
“Waukesha County’s generous contribution into the revolving loan fund makes another impactful statement about its commitment to ensuring a growing and thriving economy,” stated Waukesha County Center for Growth Executive Director Nicole Ryf.
A 2021 survey of Waukesha County businesses found that 79% plan to expand in the next three years. Since 2019, GROW Fund loans have leveraged another $6.0 million in other business investments and created 50 jobs and the retained 123 jobs in Waukesha County. The agreement signed today at the Waukesha County Business Alliance office will amplify these results in future years.
“Meeting the financial needs of businesses to help them grow often requires the availability of strong lending partners,” said Nate Zastrow of Bank Five Nine. “The County’s foresight into helping to jump start the GROW Fund establishes that vital lending partner.”
To learn more about the Waukesha County Center for Growth, or the GROW Fund, please visit www.waukesha.org
Waukesha County Board of Supervisors passed the 2023 Waukesha County Executive Budget unanimously with a vote of, 22-0.
Waukesha County Board of Supervisors Unanimously Passes 2023 Waukesha County Budget
(WAUKESHA, WI) – Today, the Waukesha County Board of Supervisors passed the 2023 Waukesha County Executive Budget unanimously with a vote of, 22-0. As with all budgets previously introduced by County Executive Farrow, the 2023 Budget invests in justice and public safety, roads and infrastructure, and economic development. County Executive Paul Farrow is expected to sign the Budget on Thursday morning.
The Adopted Budget will cut the County tax rate for the ninth year in a row and will drop the tax rate from $1.68 to $1.52 per thousand dollars of home value, the lowest in at least the last three decades.
“We know that our residents want low taxes and a safe community. The Board and I have diligently worked together meet those expectations,” said County Executive Paul Farrow. “The 2023 Budget invests in the programs that residents care about and the infrastructure needs of the County, all while lowering the tax rate.”
The 2023 Waukesha County Executive Budget prioritizes Justice and Public Safety by allocating the greatest portion of new county tax levy, over $1.5 million, to support those areas. The Budget also invests in infrastructure vital to the safety, economic development, and longevity of roads and facilities, including continued renovations to the 1959 Waukesha County Courthouse.
For updates about County programs and events, follow Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow on Facebook as @CountyExecutivePaulFarrow and on Twitter as @WaukeshaCoExec.
Online Campaign Toolkit a key asset to increase awareness & understanding of the dangers of fentanyl
'One Pill Can Kill' Campaign Activates in Wauesha County in Response to the Fentanyl Community Health Crisis
Online Campaign Toolkit a key asset to increase awareness & understanding of the dangers of fentanyl
(Waukesha, WI) – Waukesha County Health & Human Services (HHS) has launched its One Pill Can Kill media campaign, with a comprehensive localized One Pill Can Kill toolkit, to educate the public on the dangers of fentanyl. The HHS public information campaign is based on the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s One Pill Can Kill initiative.
The Waukesha County media campaign will be active through December 31, 2022 on the HHS social media channels of: Facebook/@WaukeshaCountyPublicHealth, Instagram/@WaukeshaCoHHS, Nextdoor/@Waukesha County Health and Human Services, Twitter/@WaukeshaCoHHS, and LinkedIn/@Waukesha-County-Health-Human-Services. Outdoor advertising can be seen in the City of Waukesha at bus shelters and on buses.
Organizations supporting the Waukesha County campaign include: SOFA, Inc.; Love, Logan Foundation; Waukesha County Sheriff's Office; Waukesha County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Waukesha County Heroin Task Force.
“The fentanyl crisis is not simply an illicit opioids problem to be solved,” said Waukesha County Health & Human Services Director Elizabeth Aldred. “It’s a towering dilemma that requires a swell of support and engagement to intentionally reduce fentanyl-related deaths and poisonings in the Waukesha County.”
