Congratulations to two finalists from Sheboygan County, AnitMussel and Kids in Combat Boots, competing in the finalist round of the 20th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.

April 17, 2023

Wisconsin Technology Council — Twenty-six entries representing sectors such as health care, cleantech, education, software and innovations in products or services are competing in the finalist round of the 20th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.



The contestants have emerged after two rounds of judging in the contest organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council and its sponsors and volunteers.

Finalists will submit a 15-minute pitch deck for review by a panel of about 75 judges. Each plan describes the core product or service, defines the customer base, estimates the size of the market, identifies competition, list members of the management team and provides key financial data. Finalists are also encouraged to provide feedback from a potential or current customer.

The “Diligent Dozen,” which are the top 12 business plans announced in late May, will present live May 31 at the 2023 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, with winners announced June 1. Category winners, as well as the 2023 Grand Prize Winner, will be announced at the close of the Milwaukee conference. More information will be available in coming weeks at www.witrepsconference.com.

Sheboygan Press — Here's the latest on a craft store, fitness center, indoor driving range, outdoor adventure store and local toilet seat manufacturer in the Sheboygan area.

Hobby Lobby will open in May 

Hobby Lobby, 518 S. Taylor Drive, will open May 5 and host a grand opening May 8. 



The roughly 55,000-square-foot store is the second store to open in the former Shopko building, following the opening of Ross Dress for Less in October. 

Hobby Lobby will be open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.

Fitness Premier could be first gym in state at North Town

Fitness Premier, an-Illinois based gym franchise, could open its first Wisconsin location in Van Horn Development’s “North Town” in the town of Sheboygan. 

Chris Merklein, Van Horn Development director, said Fitness Premier has signed a letter of intent, which is a nonbinding agreement.  

Indoor driving range open on Indiana Avenue 

Golf 365, 2729 Indiana Ave., offers virtual golf to people of all ages and skill levels.  

The driving range has five simulators with more than 400 courses, including Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run and Pine Hills Country Club.

Gov Evers — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), today announced the University of Wisconsin (UW) System has been awarded $1.1 million through the Wisconsin Fast Forward Program to expand internship opportunities in high-demand fields, from cybersecurity to agriculture to green energy and clean water jobs. The grants will increase paid internship opportunities for UW System students with state employers by incentivizing businesses in high-demand fields to provide paid internships to Wisconsin students.

“Our UW System is a major economic driver in our state and a critical resource for building our state’s next-generation workforce. These grants will help students earn while they learn, ensuring greater access and opportunities for our homegrown talent to start growing their careers right here in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “Recruiting and retaining talented workers, maintaining our state’s economic momentum, and preparing our workforce for high-demand fields of the 21st century are major priorities in my 2023-25 biennial budget. We must continue to invest in programs like Fast Forward while also working to bolster our UW System, support working families, and build an economy and workforce for our state’s future.”

In addition to several significant investments, the governor’s 2023-25 biennial budget proposal also includes $2 million in additional funds for the Wisconsin Fast Forward Program to expand job training opportunities in green jobs.

Sheboygan Press —  Michael Thomas, pastor and president of Sheboygan Black-American Community Outreach, saw Sheboygan’s love for boxing after tournaments at the Juneteenth celebration last year. 

To follow that passion and provide a community space for expression, he recently opened the Midwest Boxing Champions and plans to open Beauty Art Dance University soon at the former Sunnyside Mall.  

Beauty Art Dance University will offer affordable dance and art classes to youth and adults, in part because Thomas, a father to three daughters, recognized affordability and accessibility gaps among studios in the area.

MBC offers adult training sessions 5-7 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Training sessions for youth 5 years old and older are offered 4-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays.

Seehafer News —  The construction of an Olive Garden restaurant in Sheboygan is now officially underway.

Crews broke ground last week Thursday on the Italian chain restaurant at the northeast corner of Highway 42 and I-43 in the Town of Sheboygan.

The 6,500-square-foot eatery is expected to have between 50 and 60 tables which will be able to accommodate between 200 and 250 guests.

SCEDC – The SCEDC wants your company to be on the shortlist for talent search on the new Someplace Better website! By filling out this survey and telling us what occupations your company hires, you will be part of a new county-wide employer database. This survey contains a comprehensive list of occupations, you will be asked to check all of the occupations hired by your business. 

Upcoming Events

SCEDC Office Hours - Village of Oostburg

Date: April 18th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: Oostburg Municipal Building, 1140 Minnesota Ave., Oostburg



SCEDC Office Hours - City of Plymouth

Date: April 20th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: City Hall, 128 Smith St., Plymouth

SCEDC Office Hours - Village of Cedar Grove

Date: April 25th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: Cedar Grove Public Library, 131 Van Altena Ave., Cedar Grove

SCEDC Office Hours - City of Sheboygan Falls

Date: April 27th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: City Hall, 375 Buffalo St., Sheboygan Falls

SCEDC Office Hours - Town of Sheboygan

Date: May 9th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: Town Hall, 4020 Technology Pkwy. Sheboygan

SCEDC Office Hours - Village of Random Lake

Date: May 11th

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Place: Random Lake Village Office, 96 Russell Dr., Random Lake