RICE LAKE, WI — Governor Tony Evers and Elmer Moore Jr., chief executive officer and executive director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), visited Hayward, Wisconsin, on June 16 to tour the future site of Trailview Cottages. The visit also included a roundtable discussion with local and regional leaders about the scope and potential impact of the development.
Trailview Cottages is a 40-unit multifamily workforce housing community being developed through a partnership between Northwood Technical College and IMPACT Seven. Supported by the Housing Opportunity and Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) Workforce Innovation Grant, the project is located on a 15-acre parcel at the corner of Highway 77 and Hospital Road. It is one of three housing and workforce initiatives in the Northwood Tech District aimed at addressing critical housing shortages while offering on-site job training for area residents.
Northwood Technical College President Dr. John Will, IMPACT Seven President and CEO Brett Gerber, and Governor Tony Evers discussed site plans for Trailview Cottages during a visit to Hayward on June 16.
Brett Gerber, president and CEO of IMPACT Seven; Luke Bierl, president and CEO of Tamarack Health; Governor Tony Evers; Elmer Moore Jr., CEO and executive director of WHEDA; and Northwood Technical College President Dr. John Will gathered in Hayward on June 16 to review plans for Trailview Cottages and discuss the collaboration’s impact on workforce housing and education.
“Access to safe, reliable, and affordable housing is a critical part of our state’s efforts to support kids and families, bolster our workforce and economy, and ensure communities across the state continue to grow and thrive,” said Gov. Evers. “I was glad to join local leaders in Hayward to hear about the important progress they’re making to bring 40 affordable units to the community—an effort our administration was proud to support through WHEDA’s Vacancy-to-Vitality and Infrastructure Access loan programs. I’m excited to see this project come to fruition and help folks and families afford the quality housing they need and deserve.”
Trailview Cottages is designed to increase access to affordable housing for the local workforce without sacrificing quality, sustainability, or design. The development will feature one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottage-style apartment homes with attached garages and individual patios. Community amenities include a fitness center, community room, outdoor patio, and pet wash parlor.
By helping residents live closer to where they work, the project supports employee retention and contributes to economic growth in Hayward and across Sawyer County. The project further supports economic growth through the community building in Trailview Cottages that will also house a Workforce Accelerator classroom operated by Northwood Tech, bringing hands-on technical education directly to Hayward. Mobile training labs and equipment for high-demand careers—such as manufacturing, welding, and dental assisting—will rotate through the site to provide accessible, career-aligned learning opportunities.
“This idea started more than three years ago as part of our HOMES grant proposal, and it’s incredible to see how far it has come,” said Dr. John Will, president of Northwood Technical College. “What began as a $30 million vision has grown into a $46 million investment in housing and workforce training across northwest Wisconsin. Few developers would have stayed the course, but IMPACT Seven’s commitment broke down barriers and brought in critical funding to make it happen. For Northwood Tech, this project represents the power of combining housing and education to meet workforce needs and help rural communities thrive.”
A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for September to celebrate the start of construction and provide more details about housing and training opportunities. Construction is scheduled to be completed by spring 2026.
For more information or to join the housing interest list, call 1-800-988-9123, extension one.
HOMES Grant Funding Statement
The three-year, $9.8 million Housing Opportunity & Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) project is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Impact Seven will provide an additional $20 million for sustainable affordable housing options within the district. Northwood Technical College will provide an additional $1.25 million to conduct advanced manufacturing training for the underemployed, unemployed, and special population individuals.
About Northwood Technical College
Northwood Technical College is a nationally top-ranked college and designated Silver 2025-26 Military Friendly® School that puts Students First. Northwood Tech serves the educational and career needs of approximately 13,000 residents of Northwestern Wisconsin each year. With multiple campuses, Northwood Tech offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, short-term certificates, customized business training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. Northwood Tech is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org). For more information, call 800.243.9482 or visit NorthwoodTech.edu.
Northwood Technical College is grateful for all its community partnerships. Your support of the Northwood Tech Foundation is essential to student success. For information on how to contribute, visit NorthwoodTech.edu/donate.
Northwood Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, service in the uniformed services, veteran status, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions or status in any group protected by state or local law in employment, admissions or its programs or activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s nondiscrimination policies: Amanda Gohde, AA/EEO Officer/Title IX Coordinator/Associate Vice President of Talent and Culture; 1900 College Drive, Rice Lake, WI 54868; 715.645.7042; Wisconsin Relay System TTY:711; Amanda.Gohde@NorthwoodTech.edu.
Last Update: Jun 18, 2025 5:31 am CDT
