LAKESHORE INDUSTRY CLUSTER INITIATIVE

The Lakeshore Industry Cluster Initiative engages businesses in Industry Cluster Networks to analyze and leverage assets and opportunities for additional business growth and development. The targeted industries of the Lakeshore Industry Cluster Initiative include: Manufacturing, Food Processing/Agriculture, Energy and Tourism.  

This exciting,  collaborative effort for the region is lead by the Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County with economic development organizations in Door, Calumet, Kewaunee, and Sheboygan Counties participating. A half-day kick-off event launched the Initiative on the morning of Tuesday, August 28, 2013 at Fox Hills Resort (Mishicot).

It is not too late to get involved - see the meeting schedule below and notes posted under each Industry section button.  Businesses can join in at any point in the process.

Upcoming Meetings for Individual Clusters

Agriculture/Food Production Cluster- Two Focus Teams: Fruits and Vegetables and Dairy

Tuesday, May 14 - 11:00 AM - Dairy Co-Chair Meeting Conference Call  Call In 610-214-0000  Conf Code 298546#
Tourism Cluster- Working on Biking and Birding Promotion Action Plan to increase Economy by $7 million
Wednesday, May 8 - 2:00 PM - Scenic Byway Informational Meeting / 3:00 PM - Cluster Meeting
Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Dr, Manitowoc WI
Manufacturing Cluster
Wednesday, May 8 - 8:45-11:00 AM - RCS Empowers, 1607 Geele Ave. Sheboygan - 8:45 Tour / 9:15 AM Meeting begins
Energy Cluster - Working on Compressed Natural Gas potential

Tuesday, May 21 - Converting Fleets to Compressed Natural Gas Workshops - Two Locations     For Brochure: Click Here

   To Register: Click Here         

  • 8:00 AM Registration - 8:30-11:30 AM Workshop - Kewaunee County Fairgrounds-Admin Bldg, 625 3rd Street,  Luxemburg, WI
  • 1:00 PM Registration - 1:30-4:30 PM Workshop - Lakeshore Technical College - Centennial Hall, 1290 North Ave  Cleveland, WI

Click on the Industry Clusters below for more information!

Lakeshore Industry Cluster Initiative - What's it all about?

Click here to watch a video from Tim Reis, Lakeshore Industry Cluster Initiative Chair, explain what the Initiative is all about and why you should become involved!

Value of the Lakeshore Industry Cluster Initiative

Why is this important to businesses and what benefits do they experience as a result of their participation? The following list represents a sampling of the many benefits which can transpire from involvement in the Lakeshore Industry Cluster Network:

  • Understand value and supply chains better
  • Cultivate new customers
  • Discover new suppliers
  • Learn about new business opportunities
  • Address workforce issues
  • Potential to share services
  • Catalyst to partner with other businesses for contracts
  • Increased revenues and cost savings

Who should be involved? Appropriate participants to be involved in the Lakeshore Industry Cluster Initiative include both businesses that are directly involved in an industry targeted, and businesses that support or serve the targeted industries, such as banks, engineering firms and staffing agencies. Appropriate representatives from the businesses include CEOs, plant managers, operations managers, purchasing and inventory managers, engineers, human resource managers, research and development personnel, logistics managers and supervisors.


The Industry Cluster Teams will be supported by the region’s Economic Development Corporation staff members and contracted services provided by Vital Economies consulting firm, an experienced Industry Cluster Facilitator and Analyst.