While balance may be a mere buzzword for some cities, the City of West Bend in southeast Wisconsin has long found its sweet spot, perfectly blending its ever-evolving business and lifestyle ecospheres to create an urban oasis that is home to around 32,000 proud Benders.
Giving full expression to its originality and resourcefulness, the economy of this city has historically been remarkably resilient. Situated in the middle of the largely rural Washington County and with good access to labor from surrounding areas, West Bend offers plenty of incentives for existing and new enterprises to thrive while featuring an idyllic quality of life that draws many newcomers who first visit and then decide to stay upon being bowled over by everything it has to offer.
The city also boasts a large selection of legacy retail options, from boutiques and sometimes surprising specialty stores (like a German butchery and a vinyl record dealer) to large franchises.
With an active tourism commission and the top-notch Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department at the helm of all things fun, visitors range from recreational and corporate to retail tourists looking for something interesting and unexpected.
A bent for generosity
West Bend’s well-tended infrastructure and lively downtown areas are complemented by a host of expansive natural open spaces where people come to relax and enjoy the outdoors. From Regner Park with its refreshing beach pond that has welcomed bathers for decades, to numerous brand-new facilities, this is not a town that sits around waiting for things to happen. The people of West Bend are an industrious and generous community. “Families, organizations, and businesses annually donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to different projects, community programs, and improvements. It’s impressive,” says Mike Jentsch, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry.
With its strong German heritage, the city also hosts an annual German Fest that shares its proceeds with Habitat for Humanity, which is gifted one new home every year.
The city also has an artistic bent. From characterful architecture to the world-class Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) on the east side of the river, internationally inspired cuisine to a real garden maze that dazzles in full bloom, its lively communities take pride in the town’s cultural effervescence while relishing the down-to-earth soul of this charming place.
One of the city’s most treasured cultural gems, The Bend Theatre, was recently resurrected after falling into disrepair. Locals have welcomed the whimsical Art Deco edifice back with great appreciation, keeping an eye on its landmark marquee for availability. Despite its first opening day coinciding with the COVID-19 lockdown announcement, it is now stronger than ever and a crucial part of the West Bend heartbeat.
In the middle of everywhere
Taking its name from its location just where the Milwaukee River takes a turn to the west, the city is conveniently situated at the crossroads between State Highway 33 and U.S. Highway 45. Local businesses benefit from West Bend’s proximity to major centers. Being just an hour’s drive from Milwaukee and only three hours north of Chicago offers easy access to trade, distribution, and plenty of tourism, while a city-operated airport makes West Bend easily accessible to visiting business executives, emergency service personnel, and tourists on a tight schedule.
Thanks to its tenacious business owners, West Bend has many legacy businesses, some known globally for their quality and longevity. One of these is SynergyOps, better known as Regalware. Operating for 100 years, this family business is responsible for the internationally recognized cookware brand. There is also Pick Heaters, which has been in business since 1945. Kettle Moraine Metal Products, Milwaukee Tool, and Serigraph Printing, a specialist printer in appliance signage, are just a few of the scores of successful businesses that call West Bend home.
With these longstanding family businesses also comes the incredible generosity of the families themselves, donating to deserving causes that uplift and improve the community. “We have a big philanthropic culture in West Bend,” says John Fellows, Community Development Director. There are several community organizations that locals love to support in particular, and Washington County also founded a housing initiative, Heart for Home, which helps young first-time buyers buy homes in the area. Loans can be repaid in cash or in kind through volunteering hours clocked at many of its local charities and community outreach programs.
For business owners looking to set up or expand in West Bend, the city’s industrial park offers ample land and competitive incentives to do just that. Moreover, potential new arrivals are spoiled for choice as private developers offer more industrial properties for purchase.
The City of West Bend also collaborates with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) for even more forms of fiscal and business support. The M7 Partnership is another group working to stimulate further economic prosperity by supporting local enterprise and helping to retain its presence in the region.
Housing boost
And that isn’t all the good news for the West Bend community, present and future. With a robust balance of new housing projects underway, the city will soon enjoy a significant expansion in its single-family offerings. Four large new developments alongside a few smaller, niche products, will soon be coming online to boost local housing stock and the region’s economy even further.
In total, current estimates are that 200 units will be added to the city’s urban housing count over the next four years. There are also senior living housing developments, with one garden-style project focused on providing homes with enhanced ease of access.
As the city of West Bend looks to the future, its well-rounded approach to economic development, cultural preservation, and community well-being continues to set it apart. By harmonizing business growth with livability, and honoring both tradition and innovation, the city has created a place that feels as welcoming as it is forward-thinking. Whether you’re a visitor charmed by its unique character or an entrepreneur seeking opportunity, West Bend offers more than just a place to live or work—it offers a place to belong.
