WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Since beginning in 2016, the Live It Up Wausau program has been very successful according to Economic Development Director Chris Schock. The program helps employees of area businesses that have partnered with the city help buy a home in Wausau.
Schock says this is the city’s way of trying to help local employees become more rooted into the city.
“Because we know that an employee who’s connected to the community and rooted in the neighborhood, owns a home, feels really connected to Wausau, is going to be more inclined to say and be a more valuable employee to the employer,” he said.
Schock also says cities are now having to try to come up with creative ways to not only get talent into the city, but also retain them once they’re here.
“Some communities even have grants that help students or recent graduates repay student loans,” Schock said. “Some communities have incentives or grants to defray the high cost of rent. And here in Wausau, our focus is on homesteading and home buying.”
Schock says this program is the City of Wausau really putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to economic development.
He says last year the program helped closed about a dozen loans and they seem to be on pace to match that again this year.
The businesses that have already partnered with the city for the program are: River Valley Bank, Emmerich & Associates, First Weber, Wausau Window & Wall Systems, CGI Collaborative Consulting, Linetec, Ruder Ware, Major Industries, Benedictine Health System, The Glass Hat, JARP Industries, Southern Stretch Forming, Dental Crafters, Ellison & David Law, Steve 3 Auto Body & Custom, Finishing Touch, King Company, Wausau Bible Church, Tammera Schumann LMT, Azure Memory Care, Gloss Nail Bar, and Valley Communities Credit Union.
For more information on the program or to apply for the assistance program you can visit www.liveitupwausau.com.
