Consultant urges Marshfield to create redevelopment authority and hire economic‑development staff; council approves downtown grant funding

Kristen Fish Peterson, a redevelopment consultant with Redevelopment Resources, told the Marshfield Common Council on Aug. 26 that the city should hire two dedicated economic‑development staff and create a redevelopment authority to coordinate growth and redevelopment projects.

"I'm recommending hiring 2 dedicated staff members and then changing the name of the community development authority and establishing a redevelopment authority," Peterson told the council, summarizing a months‑long review of local economic development organizations.

Peterson said the current economic‑development effort is fragmented, with no director and limited staff capacity. Her report recommended an economic‑development director to lead strategy, manage TIF administration and marketing, and a second position to handle project management, planning and outreach. She estimated annual staffing costs, including benefits, at $150,000–$200,000.

The consultant recommended converting the current Community Development Authority (CDA) into a housing authority and creating a separate Redevelopment Authority (RDA) by council resolution. Peterson said an RDA could borrow, issue bonds, acquire and redevelop blighted property, manage property sales and leases, and pursue grants and loans to make redevelopment projects feasible.

Council members discussed how the suggested structure would interact with existing partners, such as Mackie (the city’s business/retention organization), Main Street Marshfield and Visit Marshfield. Tara (Mackie) said Mackie focuses on business retention and expansion, marketing and workforce development and that some functions should remain at arm’s length from city government for confidentiality with business owners.

Several aldermen cautioned that staff capacity is the limiting factor. Alderman Andy Virshall and others said the community previously relied on an Economic Development Board (EDB) that was disbanded in 2024; council debate focused on whether to recreate an oversight body, form a private nonprofit economic development corporation, or prioritize hiring an in‑house director first. City Administrator Steve Bard and multiple aldermen said they view hiring a director as the central next step before committing to a permanent governance structure.

While the council did not vote to create an RDA or hire staff during the meeting, it acted on two related funding items connected to downtown redevelopment. The council accepted the Wood County Seed Committee recommendation to award $8,000 toward the building‑revitalization grant program, and paired that with a previously committed $25,000 from the city to create a $33,000 pool for downtown building projects. The council also approved committing $4,675 in city funds to match a $4,675 contribution from Visit Marshfield to complete historic‑district signage, pending standard procurement and administration.

Council member Jen Dallas introduced the item to restart discussion about economic development coordination and asked for options beyond resurrecting the EDB. Attorney remarks during the meeting noted the council has broad discretion in administering grant funds and program guidelines, and that program eligibility is set by the council.

What's next: Peterson suggested a tentative timeline of hiring and authority formation over the next 3–6 months if funding and council direction were available; several aldermen and staff said strategic‑planning sessions scheduled in September would inform timing and priorities.

Ending: The council approved the downtown grant funding and the Visit Marshfield match as separate votes and directed staff to continue follow‑up, including clarifying county restrictions on eligible projects and returning with more detail as requested.