A Weekend to Celebrate Our Workforce

by Tom Strong, Operations Manager, Door County Economic Development Corporation

Labor Day weekend 2019: the unofficial end of summer. For many who visit Door County, it’s an opportunity to gather with family and friends to enjoy all that Door County has to offer one last time during the summer season. As we enjoy this weekend, let’s also remember that it’s a time to celebrate our peninsula’s incredible workforce.

There are many great employers around the county, including the many cutting-edge manufacturing companies that are right in DCEDC’s backyard. If you haven’t had the opportunity to take a ride through the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park recently, I encourage you to do so. 

Previously, I was among those who were aware of the industrial park but didn’t fully understand or appreciate just how advanced these companies are. The good-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs that are available today are direct tributes to the diligence and hard work of Bill Chaudoir with DCEDC and the City of Sturgeon Bay officials who brought the concept to life, and the founders and owners of these manufacturing companies who have made the investment to build their businesses here in Door County. 

The public has the opportunity to tour 11 of these companies Oct. 4 when DCEDC hosts this year’s Manufacturing Day. In the morning, DCEDC will host students from local schools. Then, 12:30-4 pm, the public is invited to take tours to see firsthand the innovative capabilities that these companies have. Those participating in the public tours are Cadence, Hatco, HiTec, Key Industrial Plastics, Marine Travelift, Exactech, N.E.W. Industries, Pro Products, Sunshine House, Therma-tron-X and WireTech.

Information about job openings and applications will be available on site. In addition, DCEDC will staff the welcome area to provide event information and answer questions about our economic-development programs. Sunshine House, 55 W. Yew St., will host a brat fry, 11 am – 1 pm.

During the summer of 2018, I had a conversation with a family that was visiting Door County for the first time. I was answering a few questions about the area when the mother paused for a moment with an expression of both curiosity and confusion. 

“Wait … You live here?” she asked. “Do you realize how lucky you are?” I responded, “Yes, I live here. Yes, every single day.” I’ll remember that exchange for a long time.

Let’s also pause for a moment this weekend to celebrate our local workforce and mark Oct. 4 on the calendar. On that day, you can enjoy lunch at the Sunshine House and participate in Manufacturing Day by taking tours and learning about these companies that make it possible for so many to say, “Yes, I live here, and I know how lucky I am.”