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Sawyer County EDC highlights business incubator, recruitment videos and housing challenges
Summary
Adam Lemore, executive director of the Sawyer County LCO Economic Development Corporation, reported on marketing videos, the business incubator and local housing demand; he said contractors cite construction costs and financing as key obstacles and that the EDC is pursuing site proposals and potential incentives.
Adam Lemore, executive director of the Sawyer County LCO Economic Development Corporation, told the Sawyer County Economic Development UW Extension Committee the EDC is producing business‑highlight videos, completing a live/work/play county video and continuing operation of a business incubator while pursuing solutions to local housing shortages.
The update matters because local employers and the county government cite housing and childcare shortages as constraints on labor recruitment and retention. Lemore said developers and contractors see construction costs and financing risk as obstacles; he is seeking proposals from builders and exploring incentives designed to reduce developer risk.
Lemore said the EDC is producing five short videos that spotlight recently opened or renovated businesses and is finalizing a live/work/play promotional video for the county. He described the incubator as “operational” with strong inquiries but noted that many prospective entrepreneurs stall after initial planning because start‑up capital is limited. Lemore said a physical location for the incubator is under consideration to provide a visible presence.
On housing, Lemore said contractors believe there is demand for single‑family homes priced at levels local households can afford and that the EDC has identified a need for smaller, workforce‑appropriate homes. He said the EDC has asked a developer for a proposal that describes what assistance would be required to make a project viable; Lemore said that could include tools that reduce financial risk but did not request specific county funds during the meeting.
Lemore linked housing shortages to workforce and childcare pressures, and he said local employers such as the hospital, LP, Arkland and the school district are losing employees because of housing constraints. He invited committee members to register for the lieutenant governor’s Small Business Academy on May 9 at Flat Creek Lodge, where the EDC will participate in panels.
Ending: Lemore said he will return with proposals and further details when available; the committee discussed fairness for local contractors and the need to minimize developer risk without “giving away the farm.”
