September 28, 2026
The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is working with the County of Door on plans for DCEDC to become the primary tenant in the former Younkers building in downtown Sturgeon Bay.
The proposed partnership would provide a long-term use for a prominent downtown property while creating a central location for an organization dedicated to economic development and business growth throughout Door County.
“This is a new opportunity to bring people together around economic development while helping revitalize an important downtown property,” said Ryan Hoernke, DCEDC Board Chairman and Vice President of Finance at Therma-Tron-X, Inc. “We see the potential for this to be a place where businesses — from startups and entrepreneurs to established companies — can connect, access resources, and work with local leaders to address the challenges and opportunities facing Door County’s economy.”
From Southern Door to Washington Island, DCEDC supports businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities by connecting them with resources and partnerships needed for growth. Its work includes supporting existing businesses and industry, helping entrepreneurs and startups, advancing business development opportunities, and working with communities to address county-wide priorities such as workforce development, housing, broadband expansion, and talent attraction.
The County of Door also recognizes the former Younkers property as a strategic location for the continued development of downtown Sturgeon Bay, including the County Museum expansion. “This is more than finding a tenant for an empty building,” said David Englebert, County Board Supervisor and Chair. “DCEDC provides a strong, long-term presence downtown while creating a location that serves businesses and communities throughout Door County.”
The Door County Tourism Zone Commission would also be a sub-tenant in the DCEDC office space. The Commission administers short-term rental permitting and room tax collection on behalf of all Door County municipalities. These funds are utilized to support municipal work as well as tourism promotion and development throughout the County. “Having the Tourism Zone Commission and DCEDC in the same location creates opportunities for our organizations to connect and collaborate when our work intersects,” said Dave Eliot, Door County Tourism Zone Chairman. “We look forward to being part of a location that brings organizations serving Door County together.”
The County Board’s approval allows the project to move forward, with DCEDC, the Door County Tourism Zone Commission, and the County continuing to finalize the anticipated occupancy timeline. Additional information will be shared as those plans are finalized.
The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is a nonprofit public-private partnership dedicated to strengthening the economic vitality of Door County’s businesses and residents. DCEDC has been serving the community since 1989.
Check out the latest at DCEDC!
Shauna joins DCEDC from Door County Health & Human Services where she served as a Public Health Strategist and Public Health Educator.
She also previously worked at United Way of Door County as the Community Impact Coordinator of Health and at Gunslinger Custom Paint as a project manager.
Shauna received a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has a strong background in organizational strategy, data-driven decision making, and cross-sector collaboration.
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.