In Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, economic development is not just about infrastructure and investment; it is about building relationships, delivering hands-on support, and creating momentum across industries. Lisa McArthur, Vice President of Economic Development for Envision Greater Fond du Lac, is one of the driving forces behind the region’s upward trajectory, and in 2024, that progress was tangible.
“We really focused on making technical assistance available and accessible,” says McArthur. “We knew if people understood what they had access to, at no cost, it would empower more entrepreneurs to take that leap.”
At the center of this initiative is Raina Lyman, Envision’s Senior Director of Economic Development, who spent the year traveling throughout the county to meet aspiring business owners where they were, from cozy coffee shops in Waupun to community centers in Campbellsport. The idea was simple but powerful: be present, be available, and build trust.
“We established a regular cadence of communication and physical presence,” McArthur explains. “People knew if they needed help with a business plan or just wanted to ask questions, they could find Raina at the coffee shop that morning.”
The outreach did not stop at conversation. Once an entrepreneur connected with Envision, they were immediately plugged into the Ignite! Network, a web of resources that includes partners like ADVOCAP, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), SCORE, Fox Valley Workforce Development Board (WBD), WWBIC, the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI), and the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership. This network allows entrepreneurs to tap into deep expertise in areas like financial planning, business structure, grant writing, permitting, and downtown real estate all under one umbrella.
The organization’s empathetic, personalized approach is now expanding. Zach Beeson, who joined the team under Raina’s guidance, is building on that outreach. He is already leading workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions, carrying forward the model of embedded, community-driven economic development.
One trend McArthur sees is collaborative entrepreneurship, where businesses band together under one roof. “We’re seeing start-ups partner to achieve economies of scale, like a beauty salon partnering with a massage therapist or nail tech, or even wellness professionals like counselors,” she notes. “It helps offset start-up costs and creates a more complete customer experience.”
Pop-ups and food trucks are also flourishing. An Indian food vendor in Waupun recently launched to strong local interest. “It was exciting to see a new cuisine represented in the area,” McArthur says. “Pop-ups and food trucks are an ideal way for restaurants to test concepts without massive overhead.”
Even more important than novelty is the democratization of entrepreneurship that Envision’s efforts are enabling. McArthur points to an increase in women- and minority-owned businesses, many of whom are leveraging the assistance network to build confidence and clarity in their first year of operations.
“We’re not just supporting businesses; we’re helping individuals realize that they’re capable of building something meaningful,” McArthur says. “That mindset shift can change a family’s trajectory.”
This flexible and supportive ecosystem is positioning Fond du Lac County as a rising hub for entrepreneurs across industries, especially in an economy where people are increasingly seeking community-based, values-driven business models.
While start-ups capture the imagination, long-term business success also hinges on infrastructure and readiness, and Envision is making bold moves on that front too. One of the crown jewels in the region’s commercial portfolio is the Aeronautical Industrial Park, which recently received Gold Shovel certification, a designation signaling that the site is fully prepared and ready for development.
“A Gold Shovel site tells developers there are no hidden surprises,” McArthur explains. “We’ve already done the soil testing, the zoning, the wetland delineation. It’s go time. You can build almost immediately.”
The Gold Shovel designation is more than a credential; it is a promise to business leaders and developers that the community is proactive, not reactive. By investing in the due diligence upfront, Envision and its partners reduce uncertainty for site selectors and eliminate costly delays in the development timeline.
Located near the Fond du Lac County Airport, the name Aeronautical has historically led to some confusion about the park’s purpose. “People would think, ‘My business has nothing to do with aviation, so I don’t belong there,’” says McArthur. “That’s just not the case.”
To combat that misconception, she worked closely with Sam Kaufman, county executive, to consider renaming and retooling the park’s branding, pricing, and covenants. While those discussions were ongoing, opportunity knocked. A rapidly growing local manufacturer that had previously operated out of four scattered sites was looking to consolidate operations. The Aeronautical Industrial Park was a perfect fit.
“They were expanding fast and had outgrown their current locations,” says McArthur. “We didn’t want them to start looking outside Fond du Lac County. So, we moved quickly, and with support from the county, we made it happen.”
Now, that company is poised to double its workforce within the next two years, with contracts and production backlogs already booked through 2025. Its success story underscores the strategic value of site readiness, not just in attracting outside investment but in retaining and supporting homegrown businesses that are scaling up.
In fact, McArthur notes that retaining expanding businesses has become one of the clearest indicators of a healthy economy. “These aren’t companies that are relocating from Chicago or the coasts,” she says. “They’re homegrown manufacturers that are committed to staying here and growing here, because we’ve made it easy for them to do so.”
And that is only the beginning. With eight business parks countywide and a growing awareness of how industrial real estate fuels economic resilience, Envision is taking a forward-looking approach. “We’re already thinking about where the next shovel-ready site needs to be,” says McArthur. “It takes time and intentional planning, but it’s key to meeting the future demand.”
That planning includes close coordination with local municipalities, utility providers, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation as well as ongoing market analysis to track emerging trends in logistics, light manufacturing, and technology-related uses. “Our vision isn’t just five years out,” says McArthur. “It’s 10, 15 years down the line. That’s how you build an economy that lasts.”
While start-up stories and new developments dominate headlines, McArthur is quick to express her gratitude for Fond du Lac’s long-standing industry leaders, many of whom have set the tone for what sustainable, community-focused growth looks like. “We’ve got some worldwide headquarters located right here in Fond du Lac County,” she says. “They’ve been a steady presence—investing in the community, adapting to change, and mentoring the next generation of manufacturers and business leaders.”
The region’s manufacturing sector, in particular, has proven remarkably adaptable. Many local companies used the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic as a moment to rethink their operations, with some reshoring supply chains or even developing their own components to reduce reliance on overseas vendors.
“It really shone a light on vulnerabilities in the global supply chain,” says McArthur. “Companies here said, ‘We don’t want to depend on a chip from China. We want to make it ourselves or buy from someone nearby.’ And they made it happen.”
These decisions are not just smart; they are a testament to the resilient leadership found in Fond du Lac’s business community. Even as economic conditions shift, layoffs have been rare and closures minimal. “It’s really a reflection of thoughtful planning and strategic leadership,” says McArthur. “They’re growing, but in smart and sustainable ways.”
Workforce development is another area where these legacy companies are playing a crucial role. Many partner with local high schools, technology colleges, and Envision-led initiatives to offer apprenticeships, upskilling programs, and career awareness campaigns. “These employers understand that workforce development isn’t a one-time project; it’s a long game,” McArthur says. “They’re investing in people just as much as they’re investing in equipment.”
While manufacturing remains a backbone of the regional economy, other sectors like food and beverage, logistics, construction, and healthcare are also playing a growing role. That diversification has helped the county weather economic fluctuations more smoothly than many similar-sized regions. “We’re not just riding one wave,” McArthur says. “We’ve got a whole ocean of opportunity here, and we’re making sure boats of all sizes can thrive.”
With a robust start-up ecosystem, shovel-ready industrial parks, and a manufacturing sector primed for growth, Fond du Lac County is poised for an exciting future. The holistic approach of Envision Greater Fond du Lac—blending personalized support, regional collaboration, and strategic real estate development—is clearly working.
“Whether it’s a new business owner walking into a coffee shop to meet Raina or a major manufacturer choosing to build their campus here, we’re here to connect the dots and remove barriers. It’s not about us doing everything; it’s about knowing what services and resources to deploy.”
In that spirit, the organization continues to grow its team, strengthen partnerships, and lead with intention. If the success of 2024 is any indication, the best is yet to come for Fond du Lac County’s business community.
