Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership

The Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership (GWPP) has been established to assist in an inclusive manner in the implementation and execution of the Greater Wausau Region Economic Development Strategic Plan.

The GWPP is an example of a collective group of business and community leaders coming together to lead efforts to enhance our ability to develop a stronger, more competitive economic development platform for our community.

Officers

Directors

Advisory Body

Officers

Matthew Rowe, Ruder Ware LLSC – Chair

Chad Kane, WoodTrust Bank – Vice-Chair
David Eckmann, Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce – President
Scott Cattanach, Peoples State Bank – Treasurer
Renae Krings, GWPP Staff

Directors

The GWPP Corporate Leadership Team is comprised of business leadership representing the region’s driving industry sectors and will serve as the decision-making body of the organization.

Matthew Rowe, Ruder Ware LLSC
Chad Kane, WoodTrust Bank
David Eckmann, Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce
Scott Cattanach, Peoples State Bank
Chris Ghidorzi, Ghidorzi Companies
Rich Totzke, Greenheck Group
Jeny Nieuenhuis Hardel, REI Engineering
Richard Poirier, Church Mutual Insurance Company S.I.
Matthew Heywood, Aspirus
John Skoug, Marathon Cheese Corporation
Mary Jo Johnson, EO Johnson Business Technologies
Will Hsu, Hsu's Ginseng Enterprises Inc
Michael Loy, Geared Equity
Paul LaPree, Miron Construction Co Inc, Chair of Chamber Board
Owen Jones, Tommy Docks, Chair Elect of Chamber Board
Nicole Williams, QPS Employment Services, Past Chair of Chamber Board

Advisory Body

Advisory Body:

The GWPP Advisory Body is comprised of a diverse composition of community stakeholders and will help to inform and advise the Corporate Leadership Team in making vital decisions.

Yee Leng Xiong, Hmong American Center Inc
Casey Nye, K12 Education
Jeannie Worden, Northcentral Technical College
Thomas Gibson, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Lance Leonhard, Marathon County Government
Katie Rosenberg, City of Wausau
Rick Socha, Wisconsin Public Service
Jeffrey Sargent, United Way of Marathon County
Tim White, Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau
Pete Valiska, Wausau Events, Board Vice President
Andrew Kurtz, Municipalities Future Council
Joe Mella, Wausau River District, Board President
Jeff Stubbe, Philanthropy
Tim Parker, Philanthropy
Andrew Dudley Shannon, Young Professional

Strategic Goal Subcommittees

The following members of the GWPP Corporate Leadership Team serve as the Subcommittee Leads for each of the (3) Strategic Goals of the Economic Development Plan.

Goal 1: Talent - Ryan Gallagher, Rocket Industrial Inc Objective: Attract and Retain Skilled Workers and Talented Individuals.

Goal 2: Innovative Companies - Jen Nieuwenhuis Hardel, REI Engineering Inc Objective: Embrace Technology to Nurture and Grow Marathon County’s Driving Industry Sectors.

Goal 3: Placemaking - Chris Ghidorzi, Ghidorzi Design | Build | Develop Objective: Develop Quality places and Amenities to Attract the Best and Brightest.

2021 - 2022 Tactics & Initiatives

Tactic 1.1.2.) Support the Rib Mountain State Park master planning process / Granite Peak Ski Area expansion projects, encourage growth and expansion of its facilities.

Tactic 1.4.2.) Launch a Business-Driven Innovation Center or Center of Excellence focused on areas of specialized training & research. Create alignment among area employers and (K16) education partners to address talent holistically. Foster Innovation and entrepreneurship through the adoption of new technologies to grow local and regional economies. Develop a means for business to collaborate and cultivate relationships with other regional business to ensure the stability and growth of existing employers.

Initiative 3.2.) Support the long-term redevelopment options for the Wausau Center Mall. Support the commission of a master plan that explores a range of viable long-term options. Accelerate the pace of urban revitalization and mixed-use development along the Wisconsin River and throughout downtown Wausau.

Tactic 2.2.1.) Promote the Greater Wausau Region as a good location for Tourism & Sports Recreation

Initiative 3.3.) Support efforts to extend the Broadband reach to rural areas of Marathon County and ensure that high-speed connectivity is available in Wausau and other communities in the region.