Commission appoints Bob Wipperfurth as chair; Windsor grants split between two businesses

The DeForest–Windsor Small Business Grant Review Commission appointed Commissioner Bob Wipperfurth as its chair and approved split grant awards for Windsor applicants at a March 2, 2026 meeting.

Commissioner Bob Wipperfurth called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and explained that, under the commission’s intergovernmental agreement, the chair position alternates annually between the two village presidents and that it is his turn this year. Commissioner Jessica Zander moved to approve the appointment; Commissioner Jean Mancheski seconded. The motion carried 3-1 with Wipperfurth recorded as abstaining.

Jamie Rybarczyk, Village of Windsor CDA Executive Director, introduced the grant applications under consideration for Windsor. Rybarczyk summarized an application from AKA Automotive LLC in partnership with J&J Properties LLC for the property at 6778 Depot Street requesting $30,000 and provided background on the business and project scope. He also summarized a request from Windsor Breads Bakery & Coffeehouse at 4446 Windsor Road for $31,000, noting the bakery would need to close for an estimated six to eight weeks during construction and plans to sell products at the neighbor center during the closure (the neighbor center will not be used for baking).

Commissioner Zander moved that available Windsor grant funds be split equally between the two applicants, allocating $15,500 to AKA Automotive/J&J Properties and $15,500 to Windsor Breads; Commissioner Tom Spitz seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

The commission also received a brief introduction from Luke Justman, Executive Director of the DeForest Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce, who was introduced by Rybarczyk and said he is looking forward to potential partnership opportunities related to the Small Business Grant Program.

The commission set its next meeting for May 18, 2026 and adjourned at 10:35 a.m.