Business In Brief

The Business News Staff

Staff

September 9, 2022

Doma opens new office in the Broadway District
GREEN BAY – Doma, an independent title agency (formerly North American Title), hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 11 at its new office in the Broadway District, located at 111 N. Broadway in Suite 1A.

“Doma is extremely excited to be a part of the business community in Green Bay,” Chad Christy, Doma Managing Director of Wisconsin, said. “In the real estate industry, it’s all about the people and the relationships. Our incredible Green Bay team is proud to bring Doma’s technology here to create a frictionless closing experience for everyone involved in a residential real estate transaction.”

Hi-Lo Bakery has new owner
SHEBOYGAN – Zach Norman is the new owner of Hi-Lo Bakery – a hard rolls and buns wholesaler in Sheboygan that has been around since 1977.

Norman said the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation and Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay helped him transition into this new ownership.

He said he’s looking to build on the bakery’s strong, local foundation.

“The previous owners did a great job at building the business and establishing great trust with their customers,” Norman said. “I want to take that and scale the business to neighboring counties and move into a larger facility.”

Keller chosen as general contractor for a variety of projects
KAUKAUNA – Keller, Inc., a single-source, design/build general contractor headquartered in Kaukauna, with additional offices in Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau, has been chosen as the general contractor on a handful of Northeast Wisconsin projects, including:
The interior construction project for Door County Coffee & Tea Co. located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.The 6,480-square-foot shop and office building project for McAllister & Sons Transport located in Pittsfield, Wisconsin. The 3,542-square-foot ground-up bank for Banner Banks located in Hatley, Wisconsin.  
Bank First to acquire Hometown Bank
MANITOWOC – Bank First has agreed to acquire 100% of the common stock of Hometown in a combined stock-and-cash transaction.

Under the terms of the agreement and plan of merger, each Hometown shareholder will have the option to: 1) receive either $29.16 in cash, or 2) 0.3962 of a share of Bank First’s common stock, in exchange for each share of Hometown common stock.
“Our organizations’ shared values make this partnership a natural fit,” Tim McFarlane, president and CEO of Hometown, said. “By joining with Bank First, we found an opportunity to align with a partner that shares our passion for providing personalized customer service and shows a genuine concern for the well-being of our employees, customers and communities.”

Upon completion of the merger, McFarlane will assume the role of president and will join the Board of Directors of Bank First.
He will also be nominated to the Bank First Corporation Board of Directors.

Mike Molepske, president and CEO of Bank First, will continue serving as CEO and chairman of the Boards of Directors of Bank First Corporation and Bank First.

Valley Transit offers hiring bonuses
FOX CITIES – Valley Transit, the public transportation service for the Fox Cities, is offering a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000 to drivers with a commercial drivers license (CDL) to help address a driver shortage.

Valley Transit General Manager Ron McDonald said new hires –  who have a valid Class A or Class B CDL with a passenger endorsement and no air brake restriction – will receive $5,000 for full-time positions and $2,500 for part-time positions.

Valley Transit provides public transportation to Appleton, Buchanan, Grand Chute, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, City of Menasha, Neenah and Fox Crossing.

Safety Fresh Foods sees 600% growth thanks to county’s RLF process
SHEBOYGAN – With the help of The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), Safety Fresh Foods, a high-pressure processing (HPP) provider for the food and beverage industry, was able to purchase equipment which in turn impacted its growth.

“The HPP business comes with high startup costs,” Mark Maglio, director of Safety Fresh Foods, said. “The RLF helped Safety Fresh purchase its initial piece of Avure processing equipment. Sales have grown by more than 600% in four years, and Safety Fresh is now looking to purchase additional machines to accommodate the increased demand.”

The RLF is available through Sheboygan County’s Industrial Development and Revolving Loan Agency, which staff said is designed to create a low-cost, alternative financing option for small businesses and startups in the county.

Workplace award applications now being accepted
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – New North, a regional economic development nonprofit, announced it is now accepting applications for the 2023 New North Workplace Excellence Award.

Submissions are evaluated on two primary criteria – people practices and business practices.
The application process consists of three phases, starting with a 500 words or less statement of consideration.
Organizations that meet Phase 1 requirements and are moving on to Phase 2 will be notified Oct. 28.
Those advancing to Phase 3 will be contacted Feb. 17, 2023.

The winner will be announced at the New North Summit, scheduled June 8, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

RGL Logistics breaks ground, announces Appleton expansion 
 APPLETON – RGL Logistics located on Lynndale Avenue in Appleton officially broke ground for a new 450,000-square-foot warehouse facility.

The new warehouse will include small office space for staff and 32 loading docks.

Bayland Buildings, Inc. was selected as the design/build general contractor for the project.

“The warehouse world is changing,”  Ryan Scray, vice president business development of RGL Logistics, said. “People are choosing the internet over big-box shopping. Supply shortages are forcing companies to stock up. RGL has adapted and remained ahead of the competition.”