Weinbrenner Shoe Company Receives CEDA Award

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 -- 8:01 AM

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) congratulates the 2026 Community and Economic Development Award (CEDA) winners recognized at the annual CEDA Awards ceremony, held Sept. 17, 2026, in Kenosha, WI, during WEDA’s Fall Best Practices Conference.

The CEDA Awards were established by WEDA to recognize economic development projects and programs, as well as businesses and organizations that have made significant contributions to Wisconsin’s economy.

“Economic development plays a vital role in strengthening communities and creating opportunities for people and businesses across Wisconsin, yet the impact of this work is not always fully recognized,” said WEDA President and CEO Melissa Hunt.

“The CEDA Awards offer an important opportunity to highlight the innovative projects and dedicated professionals who are helping move our state forward. Congratulations to this year’s finalists and winners for their outstanding contributions to economic development in Wisconsin.”

Three finalists were selected in each of the four CEDA categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Economic Development Initiative; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention. The winners in each category were announced and celebrated at the awards ceremony, which was attended by economic development professionals from across the state. 

The 2026 CEDA winners are:

• Business Retention and Expansion category – This award recognizes a single economic development project in which a community successfully mobilized to retain or expand an existing business of great importance to the community. 

• Winner – Weinbrenner Shoe Company – Marshfield, WI

The City of Marshfield partnered with employee-owned Weinbrenner Shoe Company to preserve a nearly 90-year manufacturing legacy while positioning the company for future growth.

Weinbrenner’s 1936 downtown facility had become increasingly inefficient, limiting production, employee comfort, and the company’s ability to meet growing demand for American-made Thorogood work boots.

With other states actively recruiting the company, Marshfield worked with Weinbrenner, Ellis Construction, WEDC, and regional partners to make a $14.5 million investment in a new 70,000-square-foot facility at Mill Creek Business Park possible.

A performance-based development agreement provides incentives tied to measurable investment and employment outcomes. The modern facility retains approximately 120 local jobs and creates capacity for 35 additional positions, while improving workflow, safety, technology, and employee well-being.

By keeping Weinbrenner in Marshfield, the project protects a valued employer, strengthens the local tax base, supports skilled trades, and creates future redevelopment opportunities for the company’s former downtown site.

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