Door County features a thriving and supportive business climate, energized by companies whose products are marketed locally, nationally and globally. In a recent study conducted by New York-based financial technology and advice company SmartAsset, Door County ranked in the top three of 72 Wisconsin counties to own a business.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur launching a startup or the leader of a large manufacturing company, Door County provides the resources and environment needed for businesses of all sizes to thrive.
Door County offers a competitive cost of doing business, making it an attractive destination for companies seeking a balance of affordability and opportunity. The region benefits from lower-than-average costs for utilities, land, and labor compared to metropolitan areas, while still offering access to essential infrastructure and a skilled workforce. With a supportive community, growing industries, and a high quality of life, Door County provides an ideal environment for businesses to thrive economically and operationally.
Door County communities, including Sturgeon Bay, have streamlined their development processes to support faster, more efficient project completion. By reducing barriers and simplifying approvals, businesses can move quickly from planning to market. The Door County Economic Development Corporation partners with developers and businesses through every step of the process, from initial contact to certificate of occupancy.
Door County’s collaborative business environment, rooted in a strong entrepreneurial and community spirit, provides a dynamic foundation for business growth and success. Whether you’re launching a startup or scaling an established enterprise, the county’s active support for business development is clear. By leveraging strong local partnerships and a robust network of resources, businesses here can thrive in synergy with the region’s scenic beauty and cultural richness. Door County is more than just a place to live and work – it’s a community where businesses can innovate, connect, and grow together.
Ready to discover the opportunities Door County has to offer you and your businesses?
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.
