Economic-Development-Commission-Meeting-Agenda-Packet-8-27-2026.pdf

Meeting of the Franklin Economic Development Commission (EDC) Agenda Franklin City Hall, Hearing Room 9229 W. Loomis Road, Franklin, Wisconsin August 27, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. Chairman Steve Bobowski Cathleen Richard Mike Barber Barbara Wesener Timothy Wachter Alderwoman Michelle Eichmann I. Call to Order and Roll Call A. Pledge of Allegiance II. Citizen Comment Period III. Approve Minutes for the July 30, 2026 Meeting IV. Economic Development Update A. Current Prospects The Economic Development Commission may enter closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(e), for market competition reasons, to deliberate and consider potential commercial/industrial/manufacturing development(s) and governmental actions in relation thereto, and to reenter open session at the same place thereafter to act on such matters discussed therein as it deems appropriate. V. Business Appreciation Celebration A. Date B. Theme C. Awards Nominations VI. Candidates Forum VII. Next Meeting Date VIII. Adjournment Notice is given that a majority of the Common Council may attend this meeting to gather information about an Agenda item over which they have decision making responsibility. This may constitute a meeting of the Council per State ex rel. Badke v. Greendale Village Board, even though the Common Council will not take formal action at this meeting. Notice is given that upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through appropriate aids and services. For additional information, please contact the Franklin City Clerk’s office at (414) 425-7500. Page 1 of 1 Minutes of the Franklin Economic Development Commission Meeting Franklin City Hearing Room 9229 W. Loomis Road, Franklin, Wisconsin July 30, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. Members Present Others Present Mike Barber X Bobowski, Steve (Chair) X Barbara Wesener X Timothy Wachter (Vice Chair) X John Regetz, Economic Development Director Cathleen Richard Michelle Eichmann (Alderwoman) X I. The Franklin Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chairman Bobowski. II. The floor was opened for Citizen Comment at 6:06 p.m. No citizens were present, and Citizen Comment closed at 6:07 p.m. III. Approve Minutes from the May 28, 2026, Meeting – Motion by Barber, second by Wesener, to approve. Motion Carried. IV. Economic Development Update A. Strategic Plan Implementation 1. Comprehensive Plan Update and Prioritized Industrial & Commercial Nodes Report & Discussion – Regulo Martinez-Montilva described the City’s Comprehensive Plan process to date and those Node Priorities that are in agreement with the current draft. He also described those that are not, specifically 76th St. & Ryan Rd. (Town Center), where Planning and Economic Development Depts. agreed to keep the future use as Commercial. Regetz felt it would be easier to change to industrial use if an exceptional opportunity presented itself there. Some disagreement in documents will continue as some parcels in the Landfill District are recommended for Park by Planning and Landfill by Economic Development. Both Depts. feel that Agriculture is best along 124 th St. in the Industrial to Waste Management Transition Tract. Motion by Barber, second by Eichmann, to accept the updated Prioritization of Industrial and Retail Nodes. Motion Carried. B. Current Prospects – Motion by Eichmann, second by Wachter, to enter closed session. Motion Carried. The Economic Development Commission may enter closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(e), for market competition reasons, to deliberate and consider potential commercial/industrial/manufacturing development(s) and governmental actions in relation thereto, and to reenter open session at the same place thereafter to act on such matters discussed therein as it deems appropriate. Motion by Eichmann, second by Barber, to enter open session. Motion Carried. V. Business Appreciation Celebration (BAC) A. Date – Motion by Wesener, second by Barber, to select November 12 as the date to hold the BAC at the Polish Center. Motion carried and Regetz will confirm with the Polish Center. B. Speaker nominations – Regetz mentioned Jesse Valdez volunteered, Wesener suggested state Rep. Wittke and Chairman Bobowski proposed Mayor Nelson for the BAC keynote speaker. Motion by Eichmann, second by Bobowski, to select Mayor Nelson as keynote speaker. Motion Carried with Barber and Wesener abstaining. C. Preliminary Awards Nominations – A Mayor’s Award recipient was designated. Barber suggested Nitz Farmstand. Selections will be finalized at the next meeting. D. Regetz sent some BAC event themes, drafted by Mary Christine, for selection of one by the EDC. Consensus of the EDC was to get the Mayor’s input as he will be keynote speaker. VI. Conduct/host Candidates Forum – Chairman Bobowski proposed that the EDC host a Candidate’s Forum that would have a Franklin Economic Development theme. After discussion Bobowski moved, Barber seconded, to pursue the concept. Motion Carried and Chairman Bobowski will call political party chairs and leaders to see if they are interested, and would assist. VII. Next Meeting Date – Motion by Bowbowski, second by Wachter, to hold the next EDC meeting on August 27, at 6:00 p.m... Motion carried. VIII. Adjournment – Motion by Wachter, second by Eichmann, to adjourn the meeting. Motion Carried. 2026 BUSINESS APPRECIATION CELEBRATION SELECTED EVENT THEMES Mary Christine assembled some themes for this year’s Business Appreciation Celebration and we selected the ones we thought most appropriate. Please take a look and we will discuss more at Thursday’s meeting. Please suggest any others that you feel would be good themes. Building Tomorrow Together Honoring the people, businesses, and partnerships shaping our community's future Partners in Progress Recognizing collaboration that strengthens our local economy Growing Communities, Growing Business Honoring excellence in economic development Building on Our Momentum: Moving Our Economy Forward Development efforts that build on successes Business Appreciation Awards Nominations Guide AWARD CATEGORIES • Franklin Excellence in Large Business – gross annual revenues are greater than $10M • Franklin Excellence in Small Business - gross annual revenues are less than $10M • Franklin Excellence in Business Innovation • Franklin Business Leader of the Year • Mayor’s Choice Award – Nomination made by the Mayor EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS – LARGE AND SMALL CATEGORIES Eligibility (list status of each) • Minimum of 3 years in business • Significant presence in Franklin • Gross annual revenue qualification (Large Business>$10M>Small Business) • Hasn’t won Excellence in Business within the previous five years Judging Criteria (briefly describe) • A commitment to good business practices • A history of good employee relations/benefits • Customer focused commitment • Financial growth and consistency • Community service involvement • Education partnerships and workforce development involvement EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS – INNOVATION Eligibility (list status of each) • Business must be located in Franklin • Hasn’t won Excellence in Business Innovation within the previous five years Judging Criteria (briefly describe) • Demonstrated Company Innovations • Innovative practices that have been integrated in to the business • New technology that has been integrated into the business Business Appreciation Awards Nominations Guide BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR Eligibility (list status of each) • Nominees must live or work in Franklin • Hasn’t won Business Leader of The Year within the previous five years Judging criteria (including but not limited to) (briefly describe) • Community Service Involvement: Volunteer efforts; personal giving of time with or without an organization. • Leadership Traits: Displays integrity collaboration, commitment, inclusivity, accountability and a growth and results orientation. • Team Player: Works to actively improve the team/group. • Professional Achievement: Success in reaching specific professional goals. • Personal & Professional Development: Pursues educational opportunities and learning experiences. NOMINATIONS Include Businesses’ and Nominee’s Names, list Eligibilities statuses, briefly describe Judging Criteria met, as well as other pertinent rationale for the nomination. Send nominations to: John Regetz, Director, Economic Development, jregetz@franklinwi.gov SUBMIT NOMINATIONS BY AUGUST 20, 2025 PAST NOMINATIONS AND WINNERS TO DATE 2018, 2019 and 2020 winners are again eligible for nominations 2019 NOMINATIONS (winners underlined in red) Excellence in Business – Small Anderson Family Dental Hide-Away Pub & Eatery Lovers Lane Sushi and Seafood Buffet Southwestern Suburban Symphony Excellence in Business – Large Dash Medical Gloves Krones, Inc. Northwestern Mutual Payne & Dolan Vesta Inc. / Lubrizol Excellence in Leadership Apostale Evreniadis, Mimosa Susan Rabe, Conservancy for Healing & Heritage Tom Schulz, Krones, Inc. Excellence in Innovation Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital Aurora Healthcare Big Bang LLC Forte Theater Company Wheel & Sprocket 2018 NOMINATIONS (winners underlined in red) Excellence in Business – Small Anderson Dental Innovative Fitness Mimosa South Suburban Symphony Excellence in Business – Large Carlisle Northwestern Mutual Payne & Dolan Vesta Excellence in Leadership Richard Simonson, Carma Laboratories Seth Tiegen, Ascension Tom Schulz, Krones Dave Dull, Allis Roller Excellence in Innovation Krones Roc Ventures Ascension Aurora 2021 NOMINATIONS (winners underlined in red) Excellence in Business – Large Carma Labs, Hermle USA, Inc., Lubrizol S&C Electric Dash Medical Gloves Excellence in New Business Nominees Askren Wrestling Academy Havana Café Honey Butter Café Sweet Basil Wheel & Sprocket Habitat for Humanity Restore Excellence in Business – Small Harry's Hardware Castleman Plumbing Starfire (CertaSite) Victory Creek Accounting Excellence in Leadership Starfire Strauss Carma Labs Tom Schultz - Krones Sue Malek - Starfire 2022 NOMINATIONS (winners underlined in red) Excellence in Business – Large Lubrizol Innovative Pain Care Saputo Cheese Northwestern Mutual Excellence in Business – Small Honey Butter Gaia Micro Spa Ace Hardware Excellence in Innovation YMCA Hunger Task Force Luxe Golf S&C Electric Excellence in Leadership Jonathan Wichman Stewart Wangard 2023 NOMINATIONS (winners underlined in red) Excellence in Business – Large Forever Companies Saputo Cheese Vesta/Lubrizol Carma Labs Excellence in Business – Small Castleman Plumbing JV Lawn Care Mimosa Sweet Basil Franklin Ace Hardware Gaia Micro Spa Roc Ventures Excellence in Innovation Innovative Pain Care S&C Electric Land By Label Excellence in Leadership Jim Pekar - Luxe Golf Bays, Land by Label Gary Lacourt - Forever Companies David Myers - S&C Electric Carma Labs - Rich Simonson Mike Zimmerman - Roc Ventures 2024 NOMINATIONS (winners underlined in red) Excellence in Business – Large Saputo Cheese Excellence in Business – Small Stark and Yager Point After Bright Cleaners Excellence in Innovation Niche Chocolate Excellence in Leadership O'Brien Homes & Franklin Schools Construction Trades Project 2025 NOMINATIONS (winners underlined in red) Mayor's Award Yaskawa, America, Inc. Polina Soccer Club Large Business Yaskawa, America, Inc. Small Business James Bild Insurance Crossroads Pizza & Subs Innovation Croatian Park Federation & Soccer Club Senior Flexonics Leadership Franklin School Dist. Briscoe Family YMCA Wellness Center Yaskawa, America, Inc. Other Economic Development Achievements Carma Laboratories Completing Facilities Carma Laboratories is completing their 225,000 square foot headquarters, production and warehousing consolidation project, requiring a $38 million investment. The City of Franklin’s Establishment of TID 9 was instrumental in making the Carma Labs project a reality. It will also enable new industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential uses yet to come. Modine Manufacturing Modine is leasing 153,000 square feet in the new HSA building to produce air handling equipment used in data center cooling systems. The company is investing over $26 million to equip and finish the space, which will employ 436 workers within three years. Franklin collaborated with Milwaukee 7 and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to secure the project. Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) MDG is leasing, finishing and equipping 117 ,000 square feet in the ne w HSA building to house 22,000 liters of fermentation, lyophilization and drying capacity for large-scale Bacillus production. MDG started its company in Franklin and now has three facilities in the area to conduct R&D and support the commercialization of their proprietary products as well as those of their contract manufacturing clients. The City of Franklin collaborated with HSA to construct the spec building that houses MDG and Modine. Krones moving into Wangard Building Krones Inc. has leased the former Wangard Flex-Spec Building to provide more space for its equipment servicing operations, as it continues to grow and invest in its other Franklin-based bottling equipment manufacturing and distribution. Krones is also investing in green initiatives to be integrated into its Franklin operations. CityofFrank_2025_2.indd 6CityofFrank_2025_2.indd 6 ɐ30ɐ30