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Here’s To A Healthy OutlookMedical research, health-care thrive
YES, ‘TILYOU DROP Spruced-up downtownenhances shopping
HEAD Of THE CLASS Excellent schools draw families
SPOnSORED bY THE MARSHfIELD AREA CHAMbER Of COMMERCE & InDUSTRY
2012 | LIvAbILITY.COM/MARSHfIELD/wI
MARSHfIELD, wISCOnSIn
®
• 91standardguestroomsincluding7suites
• 6,000squarefeetofflexiblemeetingspace
• Asalesstaffwithover20yearsofcombined experienceinthehospitalityindustry
• On-sitecatering
• Kidsstayandeatfree
• HolidayOasisWaterParkandArcade
• PriorityClubRewards
Holiday inn Hotel & ConferenCe Center
750S.CentralAve.•Marshfield,WI54449
(715)486-1500•(715)486-1499 fax
www.marshfieldwihotel.com
tHe Gondolier restaurant & lounGe(715)384-3705•www.marshfieldgondolier.com
MARSHfIELD, wISCOnSIn
®
EDITORIAL PROjECT MAnAgER mitch Kline
COnTEnT DIRECTOR lisa battles
PROOfREADIng MAnAgER Raven Petty
COnTEnT COORDInATOR Jessica WalKeR
STAff wRITER Kevin litWin
COPY EDITOR Jill Wyatt
COnTRIbUTIng wRITERS caRy estes, melanie hill,
Joe moRRis, Jessica mozo,
Jessica WalKeR, tiffany Williams
SEnIOR gRAPHIC DESIgnERS lauRa GallaGheR,
Janine maRyland, KRis sexton, viKKi Williams
gRAPHIC DESIgnERS Rachael GeRRinGeR, tayloR nunley
SEnIOR PHOTOgRAPHERS Jeff adKins, bRian mccoRd
STAff PHOTOgRAPHERS todd bennett, antony boshieR
COLOR IMAgIng TECHnICIAn alison hunteR
InTEgRATED MEDIA MAnAgER huRchel Williams
AD PRODUCTIOn MAnAgER Katie middendoRf
AD TRAffIC ASSISTAnTS KRystin lemmon, PatRicia moisan
CHAIRMAn GReG thuRman
PRESIDEnT/PUbLISHER bob schWaRtzman
ExECUTIvE vICE PRESIDEnT Ray lanGen
SEnIOR v.P./SALES todd PotteR
SEnIOR v.P./OPERATIOnS casey hesteR
SEnIOR v.P./CLIEnT DEvELOPMEnT Jeff heefneR
SEnIOR v.P./bUSInESS DEvELOPMEnT scott temPleton
SEnIOR v.P./AgRIbUSInESS PUbLISHIng Kim holmbeRG
v.P./bUSInESS DEvELOPMEnT clay PeRRy
v.P./ExTERnAL COMMUnICATIOnS teRee caRutheRs
v.P./vISUAL COnTEnT maRK foResteR
v.P./COnTEnT OPERATIOnS natasha loRens
v.P./TRAvEL PUbLISHIng susan chaPPell
v.P./SALES Rhonda GRaham, heRb haRPeR,
JaReK sWeKosKy
COnTROLLER chRis dudley
SEnIOR ACCOUnTAnT lisa oWens
ACCOUnTS PAYAbLE COORDInATOR maRia mcfaRland
ACCOUnTS RECEIvAbLE COORDInATOR diana Guzman
SALES SUPPORT COORDInATOR alex maRKs
SALES SUPPORT PROjECT MAnAgER saRa quint
SYSTEM ADMInISTRATOR daniel cantRell
DATAbASE MAnAgER/IT SUPPORT chandRa bRadshaW
wEb CREATIvE DIRECTOR allison davis
wEb COnTEnT MAnAgER John hood
wEb PROjECT MAnAgER noy fonGnaly
wEb DESIgnER II RichaRd stevens
wEb DEvELOPMEnT LEAD yamel hall
wEb DEvELOPER I nels noseWoRthy
PHOTOgRAPHY DIRECTOR JeffRey s. otto
CREATIvE SERvICES DIRECTOR chRistina caRden
CREATIvE TECHnOLOgY AnALYST becca aRy
AUDIEnCE DEvELOPMEnT DIRECTOR deanna nelson
DISTRIbUTIOn DIRECTOR GaRy smith
ExECUTIvE SECRETARY KRisty duncan
HUMAn RESOURCES MAnAgER PeGGy blaKe
RECEPTIOnIST linda bishoP
Images Marshfield is published annually by Journal communications inc. and is distributed through the
marshfield area chamber of commerce & industry and its member businesses.
for advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact
Journal communications inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.
fOR MORE InfORMATIOn, COnTACT:marshfield area chamber of commerce & industry
700 s. central ave., marshfield, Wi 54449Phone: (715) 384-3454 • fax: (715) 387-8925
www.marshfieldchamber.com
vISIT Images marshfIeld OnLInE AT LIvAbILITY.COM/MARSHfIELD/wI
©copyright 2012 Journal communications inc., 725 cool springs blvd., suite 400, franklin, tn 37067,
(615) 771-0080. all rights reserved. no portion of this magazine may be reproduced
in whole or in part without written consent.
member the association of magazine media
member custom content council
member marshfield area chamber of commerce & industry
What’s Online livability.com/marshfield/wi
Here’s To A Healthy OutlookMedical research, health-care thrive
YES, ‘TILYOU DROPSpruced-up downtownenhances shopping
HEAD Of THE CLASSExcellent schools draw families
SPOnSORED bY THE MARSHfIELD AREA CHAMbER Of COMMERCE & InDUSTRY
2012 | LIvAbILITY.COM/MARSHfIELD/wI
MARSHfIELD, wISCOnSIn
®
See more great photos of Marshfield in our online photo and video galleries
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Facts Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more
liVing hereLearn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health-care providers
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all or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
Please recycle this magazine
On THE COvER the marshfield clinic includes research centers and labs where a variety of studies are preformed. the clinic’s goal is to improve the health and well being of people and communities through research and education. staff Photo
dePartments
4 Almanac
14 biz briefs
16 Chamber Report
17 Economic Profile
18 Health & wellness
20 Local flavor
22 Arts & Culture
24 Sports & Recreation
26 Education
28 Community Profile
29 Through the Lens
2012 EDITIOn | vOLUME 5
MARSHfIELD, wISCOnSIn
®
cOntents
Features
8 RETAIL AnD HOSPITALITY THRIvIng In MARSHfIELDspruced-up downtown has enhanced the shopping options
12 SAnD AT ATTEnTIOnfrac sand companies are booming new marshfield industry
8
20
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Welcome to Marshfieldan introduction to thE arEa’S pEoplE, placES and EvEntS
a home for historymajor William henry upham was a civil
War veteran who arrived in marshfield in
1879 to settle down and lead a quieter life.
his life was filled with excitement, however,
as he prospered by developing a system
of lumber operations and ultimately
became Wisconsin’s 18th governor. his
ingenuity played a key role in helping
marshfield’s industries recover after the
1887 great fire. to honor major upham’s
achievements, the north Wood county
historical society preserves the mansion
he built in 1880 as the upham mansion
historical museum. the mansion, which
is on the national Register of historic
Places, hosts numerous exhibits and
activities including the annual Pie and
ice cream social. the home embraces
visitors with bower-seated walkways,
mid-victorian styling and the heritage
Rose Garden, home to 30 historical rose
plants, some of which date to the year 200.
almanac
year-Round funin addition to the central Wisconsin state fair,
marshfield hosts several other festivities each year
including maple fall fest and the hub city days.
maple fall fest has been held since 1993 to offer
the community arts and crafts, live music, dance
and a maple syrup contest. hub city days is a
two-day celebration on main street that includes
an outdoor movie night, craft vendors, a beer
garden, car and tractor show, pork and chicken
cookoff and a duathlon. the duathlon is a multi-
phase race that transitions from a two-mile run
to a 15-mile bicycle ride ending with an additional
two-mile run. People of all athletic abilities are
encouraged to take part. Proceeds from the event
support the marshfield clinic’s youth net Program.
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POPULATIOn (2010 CEnSUS)marshfield: 19,118 marathon county: 134,063 Wood county: 74,749
LOCATIOnmarshfield is in the center of the state of Wisconsin at the intersection of state highways 97 and 13. the city is just north of where state highway 13 meets u.s. highway 10.
bEgInnIngSmarshfield was named after John J. marsh of haverhill, mass. he was one of the original proprietors of the town site.
fOR MORE InfORMATIOnmarshfield area chamber of commerce & industry 700 s. central ave., P.o. box 868 marshfield, Wi 54449 Phone: (715) 384-3454 fax: (715) 387-8925 www.marshfieldchamber.com
WOOD
MARATHON
PORTAGECLARK
Auburndale
Arpin
Marshfield
Wisconsin Rapids
Nekoosa
Pittsville
Spencer
Stratford
Edgar
Greenwood
Granton
Colby
Neillsville13
10
54
13
153
153
29
49
52
64 64
97
97
29
73
73
13
39
Junction City
Abbotsford
marshfield at a glance
What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Marshfield, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at livability.com/marshfield/wi.
Marshfield
Fast Factsn Marshfield is the largest city in wood county, but a small part of the city also extends into Marathon county.
n demographics daily ranked Marshfield and wood county no. 20 on its list of america’s dreamtowns.
n the Marshfield Middle School building is on the national register of historic places.
n Jurustic park is an unusual Marshfield attraction featuring iron sculptures.
Putting around town
When the weather warms up, marshfield’s
majestic golf courses offer a relaxing
afternoon retreat. among these, River
edge Golf course, marshfield country
club and mystique meadows Golf course
stand distinct. River edge Golf course is
a public 18-hole course open since 1990
that spans 6,514 yards. it offers bent grass
greens and bluegrass fairways as well as
equipment rentals and a driving range.
marshfield country club is a public
18-hole course that suits all golfers, from
pros to weekend warriors. this course
covers 6,042 yards and boasts rolling
hills, thick woods and steady streams that
provide relaxing scenery and challenging
traps. mystique meadows Golf course is
a 9-hole executive-length course located
near Rozellville. mystique’s well-manicured
course features water hazards and sand
traps, and its staff complements the course’s
inviting environment by providing a warm,
family-friendly atmosphere.
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creating Revenue through Renovation
marshfield appreciates that the appearance
of a city’s downtown businesses defines that city’s
character and can attract visitors. to continue
enhancing its downtown, marshfield has partnered
with main street marshfield to provide the facade
improvement matching Grant Program designed to
encourage downtown businesses to renovate their
properties according to prescribed specifications.
marshfield will match funds up to 50 percent
depending on the business and the improvements
involved. more than $1 million has been invested
under this program, leading to the completion of 20
projects. each of these projects delivers an increase
in property value, creates a more pedestrian-friendly
environment, and fosters business growth.
bringing the state togetherthe central Wisconsin state fair is a major annual event
that draws attendees from around the state. the fair is held
at the site of the world’s largest round barn, which was built
in 1916 and is a national Register of historic Places landmark.
among the fair’s attractions are performances by such top-
tier musicians as neal mccoy and the band little big town.
a tractor pull and demolition derby make for exciting
events at the fair, which also offers exhibits, a beauty and
talent contest, carnival rides and delicious food. the draft
horse show, featuring teams of horses pulling wagons, is
one of the more popular portions of the fair. for up to date
information about the fair visit centralwisconsinstatefair.com.
cow crazyin a state known for cheese, it is no wonder
marshfield is proud of its dairy industry. each
summer, the city hosts the locally beloved dairyfest
to recognize these producers’ contributions. the
festival marks its 31st anniversary in marshfield in
2012, and the city shows no signs of slowing down.
dairyfest regularly features thousands of spectators,
various arts and crafts, and numerous activities
including contests, a parade, and the cheese chase.
the cheese chase is an activity that draws more
than 500 volunteers together to participate in
charity walks ranging from the children’s fun
Run to the 10K Walk/Run. the proceeds from
these treks support the marshfield area ymca
strong Kids campaign, which seeks to provide
access to ymca programs to indigent individuals.
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for a city with a population of approximately 19,000, Marshfield has an impressive array of retail and hospitality offerings. From
stores that line the newly renovated downtown streets to the popular Shoppes at Woodridge mall to the spacious Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, the retail and hospitality industries are thriving in Marshfield while still maintaining the city’s small-town friendliness and sense of community.
“Because we are a small community, all the owners know each other and they work together and support each other,” says Denise Sonnemann, executive director of Main Street Marshfield. “If people can’t find something at one store, the owner will suggest another store they can go to, because the people here know their neighbors.”
Downtown ShoppingSeveral dozen shops and restaurants
are located in the heart of Marshfield. Bows & Boards offers f loral arrangements and gifts for occasions ranging from
traditional anniversaries and birthdays to special moments such as Parents Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Customers can find delicious gourmet foods – including free fudge samples – as well as home decor at Figi’s Outlet Store. And since 1950, Rae Baxter’s Fashions has been the place to go for contemporary, upscale clothing and jewelry.
All the shops in the downtown area have benefited from recent renovations. Since 2009, the city has invested more than $1 million in the Downtown Facade Improvement Program, which helped businesses redo the front of their buildings. The city also gave downtown a new streetscape, adding bricks, benches and planters.
“It really has given the city a facelift and changed the look of the downtown significantly,” Sonnemann says. “It helped give the entire downtown a new feel to it.”
Shoppes at woodridgeRetail options are also plentiful at the
Shoppes at Woodridge, a 298,000-square-foot mall that has been a staple in Marshfield
stoRy by CARY ESTES | PhotoGRaPhy by AnTOnY bOSHIER
Left: a sales associate helps a customer at furniture & applianceMart, located in the Shoppes at woodridge.
SPRUCED-UP DOwnTOwn HAS EnHAnCED THE SHOPPIng OPTIOnS
hosPitality RETAIL &
What’s Online Visit livability.com/marshfield/wi and click on shopping under the Things To Do tab to learn more about the city ‘s retail options.
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Fueling Our Growth …in Medicine, Agriculture, Manufacturing,
Transportation and Livability.
Few communities can match our rich mix of bio-related businesses,
advanced technologies, natural and organizational resources,
programs and professionals.
Top-notch medical and research facilities are located here, employing
more than 6,000 and attracting professionals and patients from all over
the world. To grow a knowledgeable and skilled workforce, Marshfield
boasts exceptional educational opportunities including a technical
college and two-year university.
We balance our business and industry side with low costs of living and doing
business including low utility costs, low traffic, low crime and low stress levels.
Centrally located in the state, easy access to other markets is provided by key
rail lines, major highways including a newly expanded four-lane, local airport
and close proximity to a major carrier passenger and cargo services airport.
Get to know the Marshfield area; find a natural fit for your business
and your family here!
Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry 700 S. Central Ave. • Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 384-3454 • Fax: (715) 387-8925 info@marshfieldchamber.com • www.marshfieldchamber.com
Forbes magazine recently rated Marshfield as one of the “top five best small cities to live and raise
a family.” This was based on the following criteria: average income, cost of living, educational
opportunities, commute times and home ownership. livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 11
since 1979. The mall still retains two of its original anchor stores – JCPenney and Younkers. In November 2011, Furniture & ApplianceMart became the third anchor store, offering furniture, appliances and electronics at competitive prices.
Headquartered in nearby Stevens Point, Furniture & ApplianceMart has nine locations throughout Wisconsin. The Marshfield location includes an Ashley HomeStore.
“They’re a very pleasant addition to the mall,” says Shoppes at Woodridge general manager Terry Linduski. “They spent quite a lot of money on remodeling and made a big commitment to the mall.”
All told, there are nearly 30 businesses in the mall, including the sprawling World Buffet Chinese restaurant, which can accommodate approximately 150 people. Linduski says there are plans to add a children’s play area in the middle of the mall.
where to StayAmong the most popular places to stay in Marshfield
is the Holiday Inn and Conference Center. The center’s six meeting rooms offer a combined 6,000 square feet of space, making it ideal for a variety of social and corporate functions. The hotel has an aquatic center, complete with a three-story slide, pool and whirlpool. Marshfield offers several other lodging options, with a range of room sizes and amenities.
Top: younkers, which is one of the Shoppes at woodridge’s anchor stores, offers a wide variety of merchandise including cosmetics, clothing, shoes and more. bottom: Jenny Kilty, the owner of circle the date, located downtown, shows off a dress to a customer.
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what is frac sand?
Frac sand is quartz sand that is suspended in fluid and injected into oil and gas wells. The sand must be nearly pure quartz, well rounded, very hard and a specific size. Wisconsin’s frac sand meets each of the requirements, making it some of the best frac sand in the United States.
where is frac sand found?
The sand is mined from sandstone formations in much of western and central Wisconsin, and can also be found in southeastern Minnesota. According to USA Today, approximately 75 percent of frac sand comes from these areas in the midwestern portion of the U.S.
how is frac sand used?
Frac sand is used by drillers in oil and gas fields in Texas, Pennsylvania and North Dakota; it is mixed with water and chemicals and sent underground in order to fracture shale deposits, which contain gas and oil, that were unable to be accessed in a conventional or typical way.
Frac sand Facts discOver Why this sand is sPecial
ATTEnTIOn
frac sand is processed at the Completion Industrial Minerals facility at Yellowstone Industrial Park.
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Any time a new industry comes to town, it’s good news for the local economy. In the case of Marshfield and Wood County’s new frac sand companies,
that news is very good indeed.This area sets on top of vast reserves of sand that
are the perfect size, shape, strength and purity for use in “fracking,” or hydraulic fracturing, the underground drilling process for natural gas and oil.
Income, Tax base boostCARBO Ceramics, Completion Industrial Minerals
and Panther Creek Sand are now in the area. Their combined investments in plant and transport facilities will be more than $161 million during the first seven years of operation, and new jobs should total more than 600 in the first year.
business Requires buildoutMarshfield and Wood County knew that some
infrastructure improvements needed to be implemented in order to handle the frac sand companies. Cooperation between the city, county and state governments has accelerated that process, says Jason Angell, director of planning and economic development.
“When we’re talking about jobs being created, along with existing businesses being supported by a major new industry like this, the faster the better,” says Angell of the permitting processes.
Infrastructure needs MetU.S. Highway 10 connects the area to I-39, which
will allow for greater truck and transport access. In addition, the city has funded a rail line expansion into Yellowstone Industrial Park, and Marshfield Utilities has added a $30 million generator that can produce 27.5 million kilowatt hours annually to ensure the area’s electrical supply continues to operate smoothly.
“The Highway 10 work was going ahead before all this began, but having a short, fast route was a definite plus for these companies,” Angell says. “And having Marshfield Utilities be able to beef up their services to support an industry that is a heavy user of electricity was a major accomplishment. If they had not responded as rapidly as they did, who knows where we would be?”
Sand Extraction Industry Has Multiple Players
CARBO Ceramics is building a resin-coating facility that can handle up to 600 million pounds annually. Completion Industrial Minerals is building out its processing and distribution infrastructure to meet oil and gas companies’ needs, and Panther Creek is up and running.
“All the companies have been great to work with, and they are very open with us about their needs,” Angell says. “Now we are working together as a community to see how we can maximize this success, and grow our other industries as well.”
stoRy by jOE MORRIS | PhotoGRaPhy by AnTOnY bOSHIER
fRAC SAnD COMPAnIES ARE bOOMIng nEw MARSHfIELD InDUSTRY
Sand atATTEnTIOn
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scorecardbUSInESS AT
A gLAnCE
$602 million
Annual Retail Sales
$31,878Retail Sales Per
Capita
$40 million
Annual Hotel and
food Sales
1,655Total number
of firms
source: U.s. Census Quickfacts
business
Biz BriefsbuSinESSES – both largE and SMall – that hElp dEfinE
MarShfiEld’S EconoMic cliMatE
TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAféBiz: RestaurantBuzz: Serving up smoothies, toasted wraps, bistro sandwiches, grilled flatbreads and gourmet salads, Tropical Smoothie Café couples fresh, f lavorful ingredients with friendly hospitality to create a fun dining atmosphere. In addition to its expansive menu, the restaurant offers supplements that can be added to any smoothie including ground flax seed, whey or soy protein, ground whole grain oats and more.www.tropicalsmoothie.com
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PC DOCTORSBiz: Computer and cellular service companyBuzz: PC Doctors troubleshoots and repairs desktop computers, laptops, printers and more. The company is equipped to work on Macintosh, Novell, Linux and Windows operating systems, and offers network design, installation, updating and maintenance. PC Doctors also provides cellular services and wireless Internet assistance.www.pcdrs.net
MARSHfIELD DOORSYSTEMS InC.Biz: Door manufacturerBuzz: Creating doors for commercial buildings across the United States, Marshfield DoorSystems Inc. has been serving clients for more than 100 years. The manufacturer has crafted doors for schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities, office buildings and a variety of additional structures, and offers hardware machining and factory finishing. Most doors come with a lifetime warranty that includes repairing, replacing, rehanging and refinishing.www.marshfielddoors.com
nASOnvILLE DAIRYBiz: DairyBuzz: Nasonville Dairy has been producing cheese for more than 125 years. Operated by president Ken Heiman, considered a Master Cheesemaker, the company uses milk from local farms to create more than 100,000 pounds of production each day. Customers can enjoy an expansive selection of cheeses in f lavors such as garlic herb and chipotle cheddar, with gift boxes and summer sausage also available.www.nasonvilledairy.com
ESE InC.Biz: Engineering solution providersBuzz: Headquarted in Marshfield, ESE Inc. automates food ingredient, processed food and dairy plants across the United States. Recently, ESE announced the sale of its Plant Modification Solution design to a large producer of condiments for one of the largest fast-food chains in the world.www.ese1.com
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business
chamber reportchaMbEr aSSiStS Expanding coMpaniES
f our local companies have
expanded recently, and
the marshfield area chamber
of commerce & industry has
been there to help.
those expansions included
alliance collection agencies, ese,
innovative machine specialists
and PreventionGenetics.
“if a company is thinking of
expanding, many times they will
talk to us and we’ll provide them
with important information,” says
scott larson, marshfield area
chamber of commerce & industry
executive director. “for example,
we can act as their liaison to
communicate with city officials,
or we can find out what tax
incentives are available. this
6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1 3/22/10 11:40:09 AM
allows a company to concentrate
on their day-to-day operations,
while we assist them by taking
care of steps in the expansion
process that aren’t part of their
normal routine.”
SERIOUS bUSInESSlarson says all the
aforementioned companies are
locally owned, with their owners
and employees involved in
community activities.
“these companies employ
many individuals in well-paying
positions, plus support many
endeavors with their time, talent
and treasures,” he says. “so it’s
not only the job of this chamber
to help these companies prosper,
but it is also our pleasure.”
larson says the chamber
was contacted often during
the expansions.
“We can assist with helping
to find and screen new qualified
employees as well as set up
customized workforce training
programs,” he says. “a main
function of any chamber is to
be pro-business, and we take
that role seriously whenever
the subject of progress arises
for our community.”
SInCE 1946the chamber has been building
the foundation for a strong business
community since 1946, and its more
than 500 business and individual
members represent fields such
as medical, manufacturing,
professional service firms
and retail.
“infrastructure development
and company expansion are a
big part of our overall mission,
and our door is always open
on south central avenue,” he
says. “economic, industrial and
community development are
what we are all about.”
– Kevin Litwin
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ECOnOMIC OvERvIEwmarshfield is home to the marshfield clinic Research foundation,
one of the nation’s leading medical care and research facilities
that performs cutting-edge work in epidemiology, farm medicine,
clinical research, human genetics and informatics.
ECOnOMIC PROfILE
TRAnSPORTATIOn
greyhound bus lines400 s. central ave.
marshfield, Wi 54449
(715) 387-4030
www.greyhound.com
Marshfield bus Service1507 n. anton ave. marshfield, Wi 54449 (715) 387-0101 (800) 380-1287
Marshfield Municipal airport400 W. 29th st. marshfield, Wi 54449 (715) 384-9385
InCOME
$32,818per capita income
$53,641average annual household Expenditure
EDUCATIOn
31%associate degree
13%bachelor’s degree
10%graduate degree
MAjOR EMPLOYERS
Marshfield clinic
(Marshfield Only) 4,148 employees
roehl transport, inc.
2,003 employees
Saint Joseph’s hospital
1,645 employees
thiS SEction iS SponSorEd by
Marshfield doorSystems, inc.
570 employees
de boer, inc. (blenker, Wi)
405 employees
TAxES
0.5%county Sales tax
5%State Sales tax
5.5%total Sales tax
wORkfORCE
24,236total workforce
76%white collar Jobs
24%blue collar Jobs
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R obust health-care and biomedical research
systems keep marshfield’s residents and
economy in good shape.
the marshfield clinic and ministry saint Joseph’s
hospital are the city’s top employers, collectively
providing more than 5,600 jobs. high-tech health-
care and groundbreaking research are big reasons
why marshfield is ranked one of the top 10 best
Places to live in america by bizjournals.com.
the marshfield clinic provides health care for much
of central Wisconsin. it was established in 1916 and
includes several research centers and a soon-to-open
dental school. the clinic is somewhat unusual because
it has initiated programs that actually decrease its
revenue, all for the purpose of supplying better
medical care.
helP lines decrease OFFice visits“for example, we have a 24-hour nurse line where
if your child is running a fever at 3 a.m., instead of
bundling the child and taking them to the hospital
emergency room, just call nurse line to first discuss
the situation with a registered nurse,” says dr. brian
ewert of marshfield clinic. “the nurse will advise
whether over-the-counter medicine will help, or if
the child should indeed be brought to emergency.
nurse line significantly decreases eR visits.”
another example is marshfield’s anti-coagulation
clinic, which also allows patients to call and talk to
experts about blood medication. ewert says blood
thinners are among the most dangerous medications
and providing patients with a toll-free help line
keeps them safer. the anti-coagulation clinic
follows specific protocols, and since phone services
have been provided more patients are on-target
with their blood thinner medications and don’t
have complications.
ewert says that by employing these phone
access services, office visits have decreased.
“so our heart and our values are targeted to what
the Picture of healthMarShfiEld providES top-notch carE to patiEntS
health & Wellness
18 MarShfiEld livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 19
Interaction Lab of the biomedical Informatics Research Center housed in the Laird Center for Medical Research on the campus of the
Marshfield Clinic.
to
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we can do to keep our population healthy, which is what
the medical profession should be all about,” he says.
ewert adds that marshfield clinic has also opened
its seventh dental practice in the region, and has
secured more than $20 million for construction
of a dental school. in addition, the marshfield clinic
Research foundation, which has conducted medical
research since 1959, now has 450 technicians who
perform more than 20 million medical experiments
annually. much of the clinic’s research is conducted
at the laird center for medical Research, which was
expanded in 2008. clinical and research laboratories
share many resources, creating both operational
efficiencies and an environment for the development
of new ideas among multiple scientific disciplines.
saint JOsePh’smeanwhile, ministry saint Joseph’s hospital is
the only actual hospital in marshfield with 524
beds and 40 specialties that include cardiology,
oncology and obstetrics. it recently added hyperbaric
medicine to provide oxygen therapy for patients
with difficult wounds, crush injuries, acute burns
and bone infections.
the campus also houses ministry saint Joseph’s
children’s hospital, one of only three children’s
hospitals in Wisconsin. its specialties include pediatric
trauma and cancer care along with a Ronald mcdonald
house for families of seriously ill patients.
saint Joseph’s offers the child life Program
to all children who are treated at the hospital.
this program helps to minimize the stress and
potentially negative impacts of hospitalization
by providing children with security, comfort,
acceptance and affection.
Working with the marshfield clinic, saint Joseph’s
doctors have developed a groundbreaking program
to treat heart attack victims as quickly and efficiently
as possible. called “Rescue1,” the program unites the
efforts of emergency medical technicians, medical
transportation services and community hospitals to
rapidly transfer patients to advanced care centers.
once a Rescue1 patient arrives at a center, a cardiology
team begins immediate diagnosis and treatment.
the combined efforts and communication between
each team dramatically reduces the time between
diagnosis and treatment.
– Kevin Litwin
Kai Qi Zhang, senior research associate, works in the human genetics lab housed in the laird center for Medical research
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18 MarShfiEld livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 19
Assisted Living ApArtments
305 S. Chestnut Ave. • Marshfield, WI • (715) 384-6611 www.asterassistedliving.com
Redefined
Medication administration
Assistance with showering, dressing, etc.
Emergency response system
Fine dining served tableside
Scheduled transportation for medical appointments, social events and shopping trips
Personal laundry and housekeeping
Large sunroom and elegant community rooms
Small pets welcome
Social activities
Hair salon
local flavor
Ruth Elderbrook, owner of A Slice of Heaven Catering
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What’s Online Read more about Marshfield’s food scene at livability.com/marshfield/wi. Click “Things To Do,” then “Food.”
20 MarShfiEld livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 21
I t’s not heaven, it’s marshfield.
though with the variety of
dining and food choices here
that’s an easy mistake to make.
fresh food options include the
main street marshfield farmers
market, located in downtown on
central avenue at the Pick ‘n save
parking lot. it is open tuesday
mornings from mid-June through
september. the marshfield
clinic hosts a farmers market
in its parking lot on thursdays
throughout the summer months.
local farmers also bring their
items to a market in the parking
lot of festival foods on north
central avenue that’s open every
saturday and sunday from the
first weekend in June to the last
weekend in october.
“it’s something we’ve done for
several years, and it’s totally to
support our local farmers and give
them a chance to sell what they’ve
grown,” says corey sullenger,
festival foods assistant store
director. “We’ll have between
60 and 70 vendors over the
course of two days.”
Buy lOcal marshFieldmarshfield is also involved in
a buy local marshfield campaign
that is helping to keep freshness
locked into the community and
its products, and gives restaurants
more ways to enhance their menus.
buy local window decals and
posters are sported by many
of the businesses involved in
the program.
one such business is West
14th, located in the historic Parkin
Place. the restaurant strives to
provide a fresh dining experience
that also expands and complements
the menu of blue heron brewPub,
which is located downstairs.
opening at 5:00 p.m. each
evening except sunday, West
14th offers classic dining.
Fresh Fruit cheesecakes
other restaurants in the buy
local marshfield program include
someplace else bar & Grill, which
offers various options including
homemade pizza; and World buffet,
which has a vast menu made
up of chinese and american
cuisine. figi’s Gifts in Good taste
specializes in cheeses, meats
and fresh produce, while market
on sixth is also a local healthy-
food favorite. a slice of heaven
catering also uses farm fresh
products native to the region.
“i cater breakfasts, lunches,
dinners, weddings and other
events that range from eight
to 100 people, and i use local
vegetables and fruits for a lot
of my meal items,” says Ruth
elderbrook, a slice of heaven
owner. “i bake a lot of cheesecakes,
and fresh fruit is ideal for
those desserts.”
marshfield is also home
to food for thought, an
elegant evening of gourmet
food tasting hosted by the
the university foundation to
benefit the university of Wisconsin-
marshfield. funds raised at the
event go toward scholarships,
professional development of
faculty/staff and to offset
administrative costs.
it’s in Our naturefrESh food optionS arE abundant
Felker Brothers Corporation
Bringing
Marshfield to the
World
22 N. Chestnut Ave. • Marshfield, WI 54449�
(715) 384-3121 • (800) 826-2304
www.felkerbrothers.com
Standing strong as a family-owned, community-driven
company for over 107 years Felker Brothers
Corporation of Marshfield is a proud
manufacturer of stainless steel piping products throughout
the United States and the world.
Over 200 highly skilled and dedicated employees provide a stable foundation for critical business and
technological growth at both our Marshfield,
WI and Glasgow, KY locations.
Manufactured stainless steel piping products
ship to job sites throughout the US,
Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe and
the Middle East.
The vision and accomplishments
of Felker Brothers’ employees allow
us to take Marshfield to the world’s marketplace.
We remain proud to be part of
Marshfield’s industrial community since 19�03.
20 MarShfiEld livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 21
arts & culture
M arshfield is home to several
imaginative, eye-pleasing
attractions.
one of them is new visions
Gallery, housed in a somewhat
unusual location – marshfield
clinic. the medical facility has
hosted the art gallery in its lobby
since 1975, with exhibits changing
every 6-8 weeks.
“We are independent of the
clinic but they are nice enough
to provide us space – plus they
are art enthusiasts,” says betsy
tanenbaum, new visions
Gallery director.
besides exhibits, the gallery is
known for staging a juried marshfield
art fair each mother’s day.
“also this year, we’ll be hosting
an art olympics photography
exhibition to coincide with the
2012 summer olympics in london,”
tanenbaum says. “our gallery
always has a lot going on.”
also eye-catching in marshfield
is the chestnut avenue center for
the arts, situated in the downtown
district. the building is home to
performing, visual and literary
arts, and is ideal for concerts,
plays, art exhibits and more.
mind yOur manOrsupham mansion, the restored
home of former Wisconsin governor
William henry upham, was built in
1880. the mansion is on the national
Register of historic Places, and
features vintage victorian
architecture and furnishings.
visitors can see more than 250
iron sculptures at Jurustic Park,
where owner clyde Wynia has
been welding and sculpting iron
at the art of it allcity haS intErESting cultural attractionS
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A collection of African wooden masks are part of the permanent collection
of the new visions gallery, located in the Marshfield Clinic.
What’s Online Read more about Marshfield’s, arts and culture scene at livability.com/marshfield/wi. Click “Things To Do,” then Attractions.”
22 MarShfiEld livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 23
scrap metal into animal
masterpieces since 1993.
“i just couldn’t stop welding these
critters together once i got started,”
says Wynia, a former lawyer.
around 15,000 people from all
50 states and about 30 countries
tour the attraction each year.
Barn in the usamarshfield is also home to
the World’s largest Round barn,
which measures 70 feet in height
and 150 feet in diameter. the
structure is the main attraction
at marshfield’s fairgrounds,
especially during the central
Wisconsin state fair. the barn
was completed in 1916 and used
to shelter purebred animals in 250
stanchions. it was constructed
without the use of scaffolding.
crews who assembled this
impressive structure simply started
at the bottom and worked their
way up. – Tiffany Williams sta
ff
Ph
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o
The world’s Largest Round barn
visit ouradvertisersAster Retirement Communitywww.asterassistedliving.com
Engineering Solutions Expertswww.ese1.com
Felker Brothers Corporationwww.felkerbrothers.com
Forward Financial Bankwww.forwardbank.com
High Street Salon Spa & Travelwww.highstreetsalonandspa.com
Holiday Inn Conference Centerwww.holidayinn.com/marshfield
House of Heating Inc.www.lennoxdealer.com/houseofheating
Innovative Machine Specialists Inc.www.innmacspe.com
Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industrywww.marshfieldchamber.com
Marshfield Clinicwww.marshfieldclinic.org
Marshfield School Districtwww.marshfield.k12.wi.us
Mid State Technical Collegewww.mstc.edu
Roehl Transport Inc.www.roehl.net
Thimbleberry Books
Wheelers Chevy – GMCwww.wheelergm.com
Salon, Spa &
Travel
A Full-Service Aveda Concept Salon
210 S. Central ave. Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-1477 or (715) 387-6977 Toll-free: (877) 880-8807
highstreet@tznet.com
www.highstreetsalonandspa.com
Thimbleberry Books
166 S. Central Ave. • Marshfield, WI • 715.387.3049
Used &
UnusualMonday, Tuesday,
Wednesday & Friday
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
22 MarShfiEld livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 23
WHEELERS
2701 S. Maple Ave. • Marshfield, WI 54449 • (715) 387-1204 • www.wheelergm.com
See why people are So happy with uS at wheelerS … “Wheelers is a personalized auto care dealership. They have an excellent staff and a friendly atmosphere.
I always have a good experience when getting work done, parts or shopping for a vehicle. What a great bunch of people.” ~ J. Esser
“We traded in two vehicles and got a certified Impala and were extremely happy with the total experience. Would recommend Wheelers to anyone who is looking for a good
certified car at a reasonable price.” ~ waykay74
2012 Women’s Certified Award Winner
Dealerrater.com Dealer of the Year for 2012 for GMC & Chevrolet
Top-rated service department open six days a week!
Monday-Saturday 7:15 a.m.-6 p.m.
wildwood Park and Zoo offers visitors an opportunity to see many different species.PHOTO AnTOnY bOSHIER
By the numbers
267Number of species of birds found at George W. Mead Wildlife Area
750+Number of creatures that can be spotted at Wildwood Park and Zoo
5.5Miles the bicycle trail at McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area covers
15Number of walking/jogging/cycling trails located in the Marshfield area
24 MarShfiEld
sports & Recreation
H ome to outdoor havens, green spaces and one of
the largest municipal zoos in the state, marshfield
offers plenty of opportunities for recreation.
mcmillan marsh WildliFe areacovering approximately 6,500 acres, mcmillan
marsh Wildlife area is a mix of wetlands, woodlands
and grasslands.
visitors can hunt, hike and pick berries, and can
enjoy a seasonal bicycle trail that is open from may 1
through august 31.
geOrge W. mead WildliFe areanature lovers can also explore George W. mead
Wildlife area’s 33,000 acres and can see more than
267 species of birds.
in addition to the recreational opportunities the
area has to offer, guests can tour the stanton W. mead
education and visitor center.
WildWOOd Park and zOOmammals big and small reside at Wildwood Park
and zoo, along with raptors and other birds. for no
charge, families can see amber and liberty, the zoo’s
two bald eagles, or say hello to sister and brother
mountain lions star and thunder. spanning more than
60 acres, the zoo also features sensory Gardens,
which showcase a variety of flowering and non-
flowering plants.
hamus nature Preserve and recreatiOn area
comprising 32 acres on marshfield’s north
side, hamus nature Preserve and Recreation area
features hiking/walking/biking trails that allow outdoor
enthusiasts to take in the scenic property and its
accompanying wildlife.
– Tiffany Williams
WHEELERS
2701 S. Maple Ave. • Marshfield, WI 54449 • (715) 387-1204 • www.wheelergm.com
See why people are So happy with uS at wheelerS … “Wheelers is a personalized auto care dealership. They have an excellent staff and a friendly atmosphere.
I always have a good experience when getting work done, parts or shopping for a vehicle. What a great bunch of people.” ~ J. Esser
“We traded in two vehicles and got a certified Impala and were extremely happy with the total experience. Would recommend Wheelers to anyone who is looking for a good
certified car at a reasonable price.” ~ waykay74
2012 Women’s Certified Award Winner
Dealerrater.com Dealer of the Year for 2012 for GMC & Chevrolet
Top-rated service department open six days a week!
Monday-Saturday 7:15 a.m.-6 p.m.
a natural ParadiseMarShfiEld’S outdoor offEringS MaKE rEcrEation fun, EaSy to coME by
education
Ph
ot
os
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26 MarShfiEld livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 27
T here are lots of reasons
families choose to put down
roots in marshfield, but one of
the biggest is the community’s
excellent schools.
marshField schOOl district
the marshfield school district
consists of four elementary schools
within city limits, one rural
elementary school, one middle
school serving seventh and eighth
grades, and one high school serving
ninth through 12th grades. the
district has approximately 4,053
students and employs more than
400 teachers and staff.
marshfield high school has a
reputation for academics and was
ranked no. 1 in Wisconsin in the
Washington Post’s national high
school challenge Rankings.
cOlumBus cathOlic schOOls
families seeking private
education can find it in
columbus catholic schools,
a pre-kindergarten through 12th
grade system that includes st.
John the baptist Primary school
(pre-kindergarten through
second grade), our lady of
Peace intermediate school (third
through fifth grade), columbus
catholic middle school (sixth
through eighth grade) and
columbus catholic high school
(ninth through 12th grade).
students score high on the
nationally administered iowa test
of basic skills, and the columbus
system is the only school system
in the area with a spanish program
for grades one through 12.
head of the classExcEllEnt SchoolS arE onE of MarShfiEld’S biggESt drawS for faMiliES
university OF WiscOnsin-marshField/WOOd cOunty
after high school, students
don’t need to leave marshfield
to find higher education.
the university of Wisconsin-
marshfield/Wood county is
located just west of downtown
marshfield on a 114-acre campus.
it offers flexible schedules and
affordable tuition, and saw a
record-breaking enrollment of
717 students in fall 2011.
mid-state technical cOllege
mid-state technical college
also has a campus in marshfield. it
is one of the 16 campuses within
the Wisconsin technical college
system and offers more than 50
career opportunities through
associate degrees, technical
diplomas and certificates.
mstc has led the development
of central Wisconsin’s workforce
for close to 100 years through
the real-world instruction
employers seek.
– Jessica Mozo
What’s Online Read more articles about Marshfield’s diverse learning environments by going online to livability.com/marshfield/wi.
Top: university of wisconsin-Marshfield/wood county bottom: Mid-State technical college
26 MarShfiEld livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 27
thiS SEction iS SponSorEd by
SnAPSHOTmarshfield has all the benefits of small-town living with the
educational and health-care facilities of a much larger city.
it was ranked best Place to live in Wisconsin and 20th
best Place to live in america by demographics daily.
HOUSEHOLD InfORMATIOn
19,118total population
41Median resident age
58%Married
42%Single
23%age 19 and under
47%age 20-54
30%age 55 and over
96.35%white
.29%black
.86%hispanic
2.5%other
TRAnSPORTATIOn
11 minutesMedian travel time to work
COST Of LIvIng
$51,312Median household income
$107,000Median home price
$625Median rent for a
two-bedroom apartment
TIME ZOnE
central
wEATHER
81° FJuly average high
2° FJanuary average low
33”annual rain fall (vs. national average annual rain fall of 37”)
COMMUnITY PROfILE
28 MarShfiEld
Ad Index 19 Aster retirementCommunity
17 engineering solutionsexperts
21 Felker BrothersCorporAtion
28 ForwArdFinAnCiAlBAnk
23 highstreetsAlon spAAndtrAvel
C2 holidAyinn ConFerenCeCenter
15 houseoFheAtinginC.
15 innovAtivemAChine speCiAlistsinC.
10 mArshFieldAreA ChAmBeroFCommerCe &industry
C4 mArshFieldCliniC
1 mArshField sChooldistriCt
27 midstAte teChniCAlCollege
7 roehltrAnsportinC.
23 thimBleBerryBooks
25 wheelersChevy–gmC
livabilit y.coM/MarShfiEld/wi 29
through the lens
FrOm Our PhOtO BlOg: marshField
Posted by todd bennett
more Online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com.
now that you’ve experienced marshfield through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. visit throughthelensjci.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.
get the story Behind the Photo
during a snowy week in
marshfield, i spent a morning
inside photographing carrot
cake. this was not just any carrot
cake, but the best i’ve ever had.
my morning was also memorable
because of the company. Ruth
elderbrook, owner of a slice of
heaven catering, was as nice as
can be.
for this photo, i wanted the
ingredients in the shot behind
the cake. Ruth handed me a
butter knife, and i began to
cut the butter. she asked me if
i would like a sharper knife and
i said, “no, this one is cutting
through this like a knife through
hot butter.”
We both had a good laugh,
and i took this picture that now
reminds me of a great time with
a great small business owner.