Housing

The first-ever Fond du Lac County Housing Forum, hosted by Envision Greater Fond du Lac with support from the REALTORS® Association of Northeast Wisconsin, brought together housing developers from across the state, municipal leaders, and realtors for a day of insightful discussions and networking.

President & CEO of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Sadie Howell, opened the event by emphasizing the critical role housing plays in shaping thriving communities and vibrant economies. She highlighted the importance of partnerships in addressing housing challenges, exactly why this event came together. Fond du Lac County is facing a housing shortage and we have communities looking to grow.

The forum featured engaging presentations, starting with Jon Searles, Director of Community and Economic Development at WHEDA, who shared insights into WHEDA’s initiatives and funding opportunities. Curt Witynski, former Deputy Executive Director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and host of the More Housing Wisconsin podcast, provided a broader perspective on housing policies and legislative efforts.

A panel discussion moderated by Howell explored real-world experiences with WHEDA-funded housing projects. Panelists included Dan Beres of Impact Seven, Brian Doudna of Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation, and Brad Schmidt from the City of Neenah. They discussed the challenges and successes of housing development, collaboration with municipalities, and strategies for overcoming funding barriers.

The event concluded with an overview of Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s economic development resources, as well as a call to action for continued collaboration. Housing developers were encouraged to network with municipalities in attendance open to residential growth including the cities of Fond du Lac, Ripon, and Waupun, the Village of Campbellsport, and the Towns of Calumet, Fond du Lac, and Eldorado.

The Housing Forum served as a pivotal moment for fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and creating a space for developers to meet with municipalities and discuss potential projects and opportunities.