As DeForest and Windsor community leaders reflected on the past year at the Chamber of Commerce annual breakfast March 12, they described a growing, dynamic community.
The State of the Chamber and Our Communities Breakfast drew area professionals to the Comfort Inn to take stock of the past year and what lies ahead for the area in 2024.
Chamber Director Heike Compe spoke of all the community events, including the 4th of July celebration held on July 3, when 16,000 people came to Fireman’s Park.
Other annual events include the Golf Classic, Kite Festival at Windsor Commons and Windsor Fest.
In addition to the year-round activities such as Coffee Chats and networking events, Compe noted the other advantages for chamber members, such as listings in the DeForest Area Community Guide, social media shares and the opportunity to post jobs openings on the Chamber’s website.
Buc-ee’s and more coming to DeForestBoth DeForest and Windsor village presidents touched upon public and private projects win the communities.
“Probably the most known thing and the biggest question I get is, ‘Is Buc-ee’s really coming?’” DeForest Village President Jane Cahill Wolfgram said, adding that the community is excited about that.
With construction anticipated this year, it is just one of many projects, she said, adding all the growth requires a great deal of planning on the part of the staff and board members.
“We do that [planning] because we don’t want to just have growth willy-nilly everywhere,” she said, noting the health of the village needs to be preserved, along with its affordable taxes.
The village also added a new position to coordinate and plan all of the events that draw people to Windsor and DeForest.
“We are at a point where we can live, work and play in DeForest,” Cahill Wolfgram said.
Village Administrator Bill Chang said he has heard from developers that DeForest is the place to be.
He noted that the village kicked off 2023 with redevelopment planning and work on its comprehensive plan, a strategic plan to anticipate how much new staff will be needed as new growth occurs.
Two new growth areas are at Highways V and I and Highways 19 and 51.
In 2023, the village issued 243 permits for new housing units and 26 new commercial and industrial permits for new buildings, for about $99 million in new construction costs, Change said.
He spoke about some of the private development projects, including an indoor ice arena at Hwy. 19 and 51 with an outdoor ice component that would serve as an events venue during the summer. A microbrewery, Young Blood Beer Company has plans to open a location there, and the plan includes restaurant space and 400 residential sites.
A new Kwik Trip distribution center is also planned, along with other commercial and residential development.
Chang noted that the village’s website https://www.vi.deforest.wi.us/ includes an Engage DeForest page, where information about all of the projects can be found.
Windsor growing, too
Residential growth is also occurring in Windsor, where in 2023, 138 building permits for new housing were issued, said Bob Wipperfurth, village president.
The Terraces 55 and older residences and now leasing space out and Covered Bridge residences opened in June with plans for new buildings.
Muza Sheet Metal opened a second location in Windsor, and that company was awarded the bid for the new Windsor Village Hall roof.
“It will be nice to have a Windsor company participate in that project,” Wipperfurth said.
The Windsor, a supper club, has been approved for Windsor Crossing, he said, adding it is being built by the owner of the Jet Room in Madison.
“We’re looking forward to that,” Wipperfurth said. “He calls it an entertainment venue as well, kind of a supper club. He can have music acts there and horseshoes — there’s something for everyone there.”
Windsor has updated its policy for approving development plans, Wipperfurth said, noting that if the plan commission approves a proposal without objection, the application goes to the village board a week to 10 days later instead of waiting until the following month.
“We believe that developers have certain inherent rights, and if there’s no objections from the community or from the planning bodies, that applications should move quicker rather than slower,” Wipperfurth said.
Larger projects requiring state review go through the village’s engineering firm to expedite that approval process, he added.
Also new for Windsor this year is its municipal campus at Fireman’s Park. A new shelter and new playground equipment with a fire red theme has been included at the park.
Groundbreaking on a new municipal building is planned for early April, and the hope is to have occupancy next spring or summer.
“We’re excited about that. That is part of our downtown redevelopment,” Wipperfurth said, adding the village has worked on the plan since 2015, engaging community members and business owners considering locating in downtown Windsor.
“That’s been the ultimate goal, is to revitalize that Windsor Road corridor and provide excitement, entertainment and… walkability for residents in that downtown area,” Wipperfurth said.
Chamber presents awards
Heike Compe, DeForest Windsor Chamber of Commerce director, presented awards throughout the breakfast. The following is a list of the recipients:
New Venture — Athletico Physical Therapy
Volunteer of the Year — Chuck Coyle
Chamber Member of the Year — Windsor Country Club
Non-Profit of the Year — Mission Nutrition
Most Distinguished Business of the Year — Sanimax
Friend of Education Award — Evco Plastics
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