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Iron County Economic Development Committee Meeting Iron County Courthouse Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Unapproved: Minutes will be approved at the next regular committee meeting 1. Call to Order: Adam Tutt called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance: Recited 3. Roll Call: Brad Buccanero, Julie Doucette, Brooke Gilbertson, Autumn Hill, Dave McNutt, Joe Miller, Gary Pelkola, Rita Franzoi, Sara Towne, Adam Tutt, Bill Stutz, Jay Sween, Joel Enking, and Roy Haeger were present. Melissa Copp, Neil Gilbertson, Larry Youngs, and Gary Kessler were absent 4. Adam Tutt acknowledged that the meeting was properly noticed and posted 5. Public Comment: - Kramer Forest Products of Springstead is looking to expand their business. Brooke Gilbertson is speaking with them to see about encouraging them to expand into Iron County. - Doug Lein discussed the importance of attracting entrepreneurs to the area. He noted that there are a number of products and services that aren’t represented in the area that people need to travel to get, such as a locksmith. He also noted the importance of encouraging entrepreneurship in schools. - Rita Franzoi asked the committee if they would be providing more waterfall brochures. Some changes will need to be made to future brochures, so they include the Heritage Chapter North Country Trails as well as sponsor advertisement. - A Chinese company is interested in setting up a xanthan gum plant, either in an existing building or on an empty lot. This would be great for the county’s Net New Construction, and they would need to apply by September 2 to be eligible. - The importance of child care was discussed as well, and the possibility to build a new facility instead of trying to put a modern daycare in a 100 year old building. - Jenny Jerabek with Silver Street Book Café thanked the Iron County Economic Development Committee for their support and reported that she is waiting on the asbestos report for the building at this time. She plans to open in early October. 6. Approval of the July 2026 Meeting Minutes, Julie Doucette motioned and Brooke Gilbertson seconded. 7. Discussion / Resources to support vacant clinic suite(s). - The owner of the building that the Aspirus Hurley Clinic occupies is requesting resources or information to fill the vacant suites in the building. He will be invited to the next meeting to discuss this further. - Miller brought up a program called RenewTowns City Pitch, which is based at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and helps communities fill empty store fronts. They would work with local organizations and community groups as well as commercial property owners and organize a business pitch competition for local entrepreneurs and provide free rent for new businesses that win. The REV teams in Iron County and Hurley would pay less than $10,000 in funding per community to hold the contest. The Iron County Economic Development Committee would need to apply for the program. Doucette noted that a local building owner provides free rent for entrepreneurs and isn’t getting a lot of serious interest. The program organizers will be invited to present information to the Iron County Iron County Economic Development Committee 8. Financial Statement and approval of bills: Doucette noted that to the best of her knowledge all bills around the Heritage Day celebrations have been paid. 9. Discussion of educational topics and future guests: - Doucette volunteered to reach out to Joy Melton, who manages the Northwest Wisconsin Regional Economic Development Fund about their revolving loan program. - Pelkola recommended to ask Bob Jacquart to speak at the Iron County Economic Development Committee for coordination opportunities. 10. Team Updates: - Communications: Mark Leonard with the Wisconsin Public Service commission is requesting to speak with someone about broadband coverage in the county. - REV: Set the next meeting for the Hurley REV to September 8, which is the same meeting date for the Mercer REV meeting. The Entrepreneur fair is set for October 6. - Website: A date has yet to be scheduled for this meeting. - Visions Northwest: They discussed the importance of coordinating with Copper Peak for economic opportunities. - Heritage Days: The event turned out very well. The prize money was a great incentive, and they hope to get ahead on communication around entries for next year. The Iron County Fair is scheduled next year for the week that Heritage Days is normally scheduled, which means that Heritage Days will need to be rescheduled and negotiated with several other events. 11. Review of Action Items. There was no review of action items. 12. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Minutes recorded by Autumn Hill