[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6191202,"mediaKeyId","4988393-57012ec8a288659f4d18c901aabf1eea","parentId",4988393,"title","Thrive presentation highlights county projects and $9.5M housing fund as housing shortage tightens","audioSeconds",871,"startMs",1591000,"endMs",2462000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4988393-57012ec8a288659f4d18c901aabf1eea&start=1591&end=2462","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4988393-57012ec8a288659f4d18c901aabf1eea/thumbnail_1591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191202/Watertown/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Thrive-presentation-highlights-county-projects-and-95M-housing-fund-as-housing-shortage-tightens","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191202-cd75c659b480c6daaed61e0dfb93fa1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234519&Signature=m9x5FkGJ1K8hLF7oMIa5pwuQ03Z7ECsknpp5ekrs6045cn~vTkpa849gEndkubejx~-yrCcvoHLsHCqepVgKRUW2eo~GJomcXrdM7HaTO2KrO6b~ukoZAoYkSNcZzAfeVrIeFRD8BIH~TvVfKaZZKDZZHLeiA~nO-LDCFQmqUcVguuw9byVdq0GC2PpmRvglkK7ATOZmXPLqlir9DC0zMSUKNuQ2eFDpZL0gaM7~U3IHerE3jiuETEbSXksRhmOJQCRQ19cMlcOS2kzU6oWRWwInASISMLEetlEAn2Q6q5qyY2rdV6VCu5AR~hb3jvPfiTuLaM~rC28LB~xvUwc2IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Watertown, WI","date","2025-06-18T13:22:27Z","article","Deb Reinbold, president of Thrive Economic Development, told the Watertown City Council on June 17 that Jefferson County has attracted several large industrial projects and is using a locally managed financing pool to encourage multifamily housing development.

She said the county’s Live Local Development Fund launched in 2023 with $3 million and is “now up to 9 and a half million dollars” as it works with an investor to reach $10 million; the fund offers below-market loans and incentives intended to lower developers’ risk during stabilization periods.

The fund is designed to support multifamily construction to relieve an exceptionally tight rental market in the county. Reinbold told the council that multifamily vacancy is “less than a 1%” and single-family inventory is about “1.7 months,” and said Thrive is prioritizing multifamily because of the scale of unit need.

Reinbold also summarized recent and prospective private investments she said are drawing attention to Jefferson County: a $563,000,000 project identified in her slides as “Kikoman,” a roughly $500,000,000 investment at a former Valero facility identified as “Clon Bio,” and a $300,000,000 project she called “Onego Bio.” She said those projects and others are supporting the argument that the county needs more housing and higher-wage jobs.

On financing, Reinbold described the Live Local Development Fund structure: participants can receive incentives tied to per-unit supports (as she described, “we can incent up to $25,000 per multifamily unit at a below market rate”), with the goal of making deals more attractive to investors and lenders and helping projects through the early, higher-risk stabilization period.

Reinbold said Thrive is also helping locally with smaller programs and technical support: the Watertown Rehab Fund (an RDA-supported program seeded with $100,000 in ARPA funds) has approved nine homeowner projects and two rental projects, and Thrive has been hosting education sessions and outreach to attract developers and workforce partners.

Council members asked about utilities and site readiness for high-energy users; Reinbold said some large bio- and industrial projects require about 20 megawatts of power and that some parts of the county — she said — lack that capacity. She described ongoing work with an outside lobbying firm to seek utility investments but cautioned that upgrades can take years and utilities typically act when a named project is on the table.

Reinbold closed by inviting closer, item-specific guidance from the council about the types of housing and locations Watertown wants to prioritize as Thrive recruits developers.

The presentation was informational; council members did not take formal action on the items presented at the June 17 meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Common Council Meeting | The City of Watertown | June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Deb Reinbold, president of Thrive Economic Development, told the Watertown City Council on June 17 that Jefferson County has attracted several large industrial projects and is using a locally managed financing pool to encourage multifamily housing development.","taxTitle","Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin","taxId",69184,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191187,"Aldermen urge Park and Rec to make Riverside Park restrooms available for Riverfest to avoid porta-potty costs",261,1184000,1445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4988393-57012ec8a288659f4d18c901aabf1eea&start=1184&end=1445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4988393-57012ec8a288659f4d18c901aabf1eea/thumbnail_1184000.jpg","/articles/6191187/Watertown/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Aldermen-urge-Park-and-Rec-to-make-Riverside-Park-restrooms-available-for-Riverfest-to-avoid-porta-potty-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191187-1ed2e395abbc5e99f030325cf408251c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234519&Signature=lkX7V~QTFLCFm9FAl5m7TKDbzG~mFJGtviYm0qGV6XavdWriG0xT1t0NJO52P7uWHkDXJCagkx97tp1g~w9AnVsMqA8I3bPlAX1IV14XEiDN6MgayD3BvxkBRnYFMKtewDQZdlzr21FtD3BmVttmmbB10T~S4~1ui5tXbX46nOw-wHpQzsV8ZTuRA3Kwoxky4DYIBPWN7Od0sXiJpRoenfLkBwISol~VuZ~SNnn-cWpisDHSzE7QCzN~dfgOE4IVnSnkOMT5Xest2COSAagOZj5b4Q886r2YkwkGZK8gFh5KdyrZMvL6JbPhHumNURhqIvFkzE3Feoonm1wFitJ0Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alderman Berg told the Watertown City Council on June 17 that Riverside Park restrooms should be made available for the upcoming Riverfest rather than relying on rented porta-potties, arguing it would show the city’s investment and save the event money.

Berg noted that park minutes indicated the restrooms would not be made available for Riverfest because of staffing and cleaning concerns; he said the facilities have been paid for and asked Park and Recreation to reconsider. “Why farm it out to a cost through a porta potty, which doesn't really reflect well on our city, when we have an amenity that we’ve spent money on?” Berg said.

Alderman Smith responded that the city had experienced problems with a contractor and subsequent legal issues, but said the city had made “a tremendous effort” to make the restrooms available and reported positive feedback from people who had used the restrooms. Smith urged Park and Rec to try to ensure restroom availability for Riverfest.

Council members noted they would seek clarification at a public works meeting set for June 24 and asked Park and Recreation to revisit the matter before the event. No formal council vote or directive to expend funds was taken on June 17; the discussion was a request that the Park and Recreation Commission clarify availability and staffing plans.

","Alderman Berg and others pressed the council on June 17 to have the city use Riverside Park restrooms for the upcoming Riverfest rather than renting porta-potties; council discussion cited contractor problems and staffing as factors affecting restroom availability.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191192,"Council denies operator’s license for Watertown resident after hearing; applicant had sought explanation during public comment",3183,643000,3826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4988393-57012ec8a288659f4d18c901aabf1eea&start=643&end=3826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4988393-57012ec8a288659f4d18c901aabf1eea/thumbnail_643000.jpg","/articles/6191192/Watertown/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Council-denies-operators-license-for-Watertown-resident-after-hearing-applicant-had-sought-explanation-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191192-ef74ef2537a134be38149b3342645b50/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234519&Signature=oF91Yt79GiH8nk4eoihZGFD4hcvGEEQrDBoNvDEF2y1kIfbUcpFDf4Or5mGIVtdqEu5kEZQ0H3pp-6Lk0Q7jg4CyyF-RTwGuQsL1xeSyXR0zyJNCWDdxziIiHCUDmB1N46uUJMkebH9Uixr8Vy1gjos2tEdAUTD1c2o2jLqKfVseCR7m5AHgs8wKRNqtxrYknzdmJZnEmgMa6HX8j8ts5gn11yL65z-uuQ4EQD4RH2QH69pEi2VD0ir6Ku5WVjZtkhR2TvTC7EqSgWtD8pbtQJHOLYxYc9xok9LvsZ4GeNqi1AhQ3L6yH7rnr3b8-kQLPIX3VA121BUb8lFfxRR4sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Watertown City Council voted on June 17 to deny an operator’s license application from Amanda Pilsner, who had used public comment time earlier in the meeting to ask why her liquor license was denied.

During the public comment period, Amanda Pilsner identified herself and said she lives at 106 Emerald Street and asked why she was denied her liquor license, saying, “I really need my license to do my job.” The council’s clerk indicated staff would make follow-up available after the public comment period.

Later in the agenda, the licensing item for Pilsner (application denial based on Category 1 of the city’s licensing guidelines) was moved by Alderman Smith and seconded by Alderman Lampe. The motion to deny passed; the council discussion noted staff had sent certified denial letters and included information about how applicants could appeal to the licensing board.

No additional findings or details about the Category 1 determination were read into the record at the council meeting; the council relied on the licensing memorandum and exhibit referenced in the packet. The council did not provide an on-the-record summary of the underlying 2021 incident Pilsner referenced during public comment.

Pilsner’s request for the reasoning during public comment was recorded on the meeting transcript; council members and staff stated that denial letters had been sent by certified mail and that the letters explained the reasons for denial and how to appeal.

","The Watertown City Council on June 17 denied an operator’s license application from Amanda Pilsner; Pilsner had asked during public comment why her liquor license application was denied and council members subsequently moved to deny the operator’s license based on licensing guidelines Category 1.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191197,"Residents urge Watertown to open a warming shelter after winter exposure and housing shortages",3206,706000,3912000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4988393-57012ec8a288659f4d18c901aabf1eea&start=706&end=3912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4988393-57012ec8a288659f4d18c901aabf1eea/thumbnail_706000.jpg","/articles/6191197/Watertown/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Residents-urge-Watertown-to-open-a-warming-shelter-after-winter-exposure-and-housing-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191197-2bd57c60cbde863c2ad37a525182a5a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234519&Signature=Ip5OxXO89WAcf7Av-a4H6MMN83nYwFE7E5xMwjF8DqcfP-1XCmrTbHR4V~RkzFsvT5wvNmuFzYfZpO6-Sd~QP42bcKrTW~46Y8OpxUbzRWGfpxcxpSgcmnrbdEXCLDRPfKLChVu5D0JOUwD0xhRnRtUecBm8rUdyBU7ybNBlkiq5qH0xO4x8F65KhZ9RrLnLH6aoLXryvbM-Z5wr6flIrCxzPlhn2iSP3ebhnQ-NlDELcV8FumjtPqGiTzQa42trP8Bh7fa5LFEWQzvXcfC-6Nh89AowhdTxKHMvFZ40eZAYO6Zvwayw5j11ov-BchrJjJaIefmQpR9TbTSrhLhMxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents and faith leaders urged the Watertown City Council on June 17 to create or support a community warming or overnight shelter to prevent cold-weather deaths and to fill a gap between emergency need and longer-term housing programs.

Reverend Dr. Christopher Ross, pastor at First Congregational United Church of Christ and a member of Building a Welcoming Watertown, told the council a public-private partnership proposal for a warming shelter has been submitted and appealed to the council on moral and scriptural grounds: “When anyone finds themselves in danger of freezing to death, that’s on all of us,” he said.

Barb Wyse, also speaking for Building a Welcoming Watertown, described the group’s concern that people were “kept in the cold this past winter” and said the community should “step up” without judgment to help neighbors in crisis.

Jeremy Schmidt, who identified himself as representing Building a Welcoming Watertown and as the organization’s pro tem treasurer, gave several specific examples of household homelessness and housing instability in Watertown: a single mother and child living in a vehicle during winter after fleeing domestic violence; a disabled woman who lost a lease when a household member moved to assisted living; a low-income veteran facing a 30-day notice after a landlord sold a unit; and other locally based cases of people living in cars or sleeping in public places.

Schmidt also described market pressures he said are exacerbating the problem: he reported steep rent increases in some locally observed listings and cited HUD fair market rent figures during his remarks. He said the Watertown Housing Authority has waiting lists — and he concluded by repeating the call for a warming shelter, saying it could prevent future tragedies.

Speakers framed their requests as a humanitarian gap-filling measure and asked the council to consider a public-private approach the group has proposed. The council did not take formal action on the shelter proposal at the June 17 meeting; the statements were made during public comment.

","Multiple speakers during public comment on June 17 urged the Watertown City Council to support a community overnight/warming shelter and described local cases of homelessness and housing-market strain.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Thrive presentation highlights county projects and $9.5M housing fund as housing shortage tightens

Aldermen urge Park and Rec to make Riverside Park restrooms available for Riverfest to avoid porta-potty costs

Council denies operator’s license for Watertown resident after hearing; applicant had sought explanation during public comment

Residents urge Watertown to open a warming shelter after winter exposure and housing shortages