Recognized worldwide as a premier destination for its natural beauty, many who visit Door County choose to make our community their forever home. Why? Door County stands as a beacon of opportunity for families and businesses seeking a welcoming community, fulfilling quality of life and diverse economy. With a rich tapestry of recreational, cultural, and economic opportunities, Door County offers a unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities, making it an ideal location to thrive in life and business.
Recognized worldwide as a premier destination for its natural beauty, many who visit Door County choose to make our community their forever home. Why? Door County stands as a beacon of opportunity for families and businesses seeking a welcoming community, fulfilling quality of life and diverse economy. With a rich tapestry of recreational, cultural, and economic opportunities, Door County offers a unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities, making it an ideal location to thrive in life and business.
For more than 30 years, the Door County Economic Development Corporation has been successful in helping new and existing businesses grow and thrive through a variety of programs and initiatives, including workforce development, financing programs, learning and engagement opportunities and more!
Since its establishment in 1989, DCEDC has been a dynamic public-private partnership, taking pivotal actions to create and retain jobs through a wide array of innovative programs and initiatives. For more than 30 years, the Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) has been working to build a robust economy and elevate the economic vitality of Door County and its residents.
From Brussels to Washington Island, DCEDC has actively supported dozens of new and existing businesses, helping them tap into the resources needed for growth. DCEDC has provided critical guidance to businesses and communities and continues to tackle county-wide challenges such as broadband expansion, housing, and workforce development. By collaborating with companies, community leaders, and entrepreneurs, DCEDC builds successful businesses and enriches the region’s economic climate.
DCEDC is your partner in driving economic prosperity throughout the region.
“There are a lot of great things about starting a business or growing a business in Door County. One, it’s a beautiful area and it’s a destination spot. Two, the community support is amazing. When we were first starting out, Door County Coffee helped us with storage space and when we needed help with our Ukraine candle fundraiser, the community just stepped in. We had about 500 volunteers, young and old, who helped us make candles. Even local businesses would bring us meals. Everyone really roots for people here and they really want businesses to succeed and push hard so you do succeed, which is really special. I couldn’t imagine having a business anywhere else in the world, and I’m so proud to have a business in Door County.”
Owner of Door County Candle
“Many people can now work remotely and why wouldn’t a person want to live in Door County providing they can work effectively from here? The DCEDC Business Center offers all of the services to make working “remotely” from Door County a reality. And for those that have to travel for business, the Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport is less than an hour away and connects them to the rest of the world.
We have found the DCEDC Business Center to be the ideal location for us to locate our office… ”
President of MWS Associates, Inc.
MWS Associates has leased office space in the Business Center since the inception of our company in 2018 and from 2015-2018 with the previous company that I worked for. The Business Center was the clear choice for us to locate our main office for several reasons: location, cost effectiveness, reliable high-speed internet, services offered and full access to the conference room. It truly offers everything our company needs to headquarter our business from without the hassle of owning our own office building with the maintenance, yard care and snowplowing that goes along with ownership.
A major benefit for us is the ability to host in-person and online meetings in the newly renovated, state-of-the-art conference room. COVID changed many aspects of our business with a major increase in online meetings being one of them. Many companies struggled with technology issues to host or participate in online meetings with poor audio, video quality, background noise and unprofessional business settings negatively affecting meetings. The size, layout and quality of the A/V equipment of the conference room now allows us to host annual company-wide in-person meetings as well. Every October we bring our entire staff in from around the country for weeklong meetings and the conference room comfortably allows us to host 20+ people. The setting also allows us to host on-site meetings with key accounts. Clients appreciate being able to combine a business trip with bringing their family to enjoy a few extra days to experience all Door County has to offer.
Jeff Bruemmer joined DCEDC in July of 2001. Jeff is responsible for maintaining the DCEDC Business Center, located at 185 East Walnut Street in Sturgeon Bay. Jeff was born and raised in Kewaunee and moved to Sturgeon Bay in 1985.
Kathy Lasee is responsible for the organization’s financial operations, as well as the operations of the Business Development Center in Sturgeon Bay. A Door County native, Lasee graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Lasee is a charter member of the Peninsula Symphonic Band and previously worked as a music teaching assistant for the Sturgeon Bay School District. Prior to joining DCEDC in October of 2023, Lasee was the Office Manager of Kevin’s Automotive in Sturgeon Bay. During her professional career, she also worked in the loan office at Baylake Bank (now Nicolet National Bank) in Sturgeon Bay.
Devin Vandertie enjoys working with entrepreneurs and businesses to help foster economic growth in Door County. She is also passionate about helping nurture the next generation of the community’s workforce. Devin has recently earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and is involved with Leadership Door County, which brings together professionals from diverse business sectors who are inspired to make a positive impact on the quality of life in Door County. A Door County native, Vandertie cares deeply about cultivating a community that is not only a desirable destination, but also an exceptional place to live and to work. In addition to her recent achievement of a master’s degree, Devin is a graduate of Southern Door High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Prior to joining the DCEDC staff in October of 2023, Vandertie was the Laboratory Assistant Supervisor at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.
Michelle Lawrie has more than twenty years of experience in economic development at regional and local levels. Michelle’s career in Washington, D.C., Arizona and Wisconsin has focused on serving the public interest through economic development, issue advocacy and coalition-building. Michelle began her economic development career at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), in Phoenix, Arizona. After serving in several roles at GPEC, Michelle became the President and CEO of the Western Maricopa Coalition (WESTMARC) in western Maricopa County, Arizona. Michelle later also served as Economic Development / Community Development Director for the communities of Goodyear, Arizona and DeForest, Wisconsin. Michelle has extensive experience working in development of strategies and performance measures for communities and organizations, as well as leading teams toward achieving goals desired by communities, businesses and residents. Michelle is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
