Groundbreaking Held For Maple Wood Cottages Workforce Housing Project In St. Croix Falls

Northwood Technical College and Impact Seven, Inc. celebrated the groundbreaking of the Maple Wood Cottages workforce housing project in St. Croix Falls, a development that will provide 40 apartments and a community center focused on workforce training to address regional housing and job skills needs.

ST. CROIX FALLS — Northwood Technical College and Impact Seven, Inc. celebrated the groundbreaking of the Maple Wood Cottages workforce housing project on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. The new development will provide 40 workforce housing units alongside a community center designed to accelerate workforce training, addressing key regional needs in housing and job skills development.

Located on approximately nine acres in south-central St. Croix Falls, the Maple Wood Cottages project features five single-story cottage-style buildings. The development will offer a range of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, all with attached one-car garages and private driveways. Targeted to meet the needs of a variety of income levels, the units will be available with 30%, 50%, and 60% Area Median Income (AMI) set-asides. An additional 10 acres have been reserved for a future Phase II expansion.

A key aspect of the project is the standalone community center, which will offer workforce training operated by Northwood Tech. Using mobile training labs and equipment, the center will provide flexible, on-demand training programs to help residents quickly gain job-ready skills and support local business needs, particularly in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing. St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, currently has a total regional employment of 3,395 jobs. Employment grew by 63 over the past five years and is projected to increase by 81 over the next five years, highlighting the ongoing demand for workforce development in the area.

Project Overview and Funding Breakdown

The Maple Wood Cottages project is part of a $9.8 million Housing Opportunity and Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) Workforce Innovation Grant, funded by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). This initiative addresses both the shortage of workforce housing and the advanced manufacturing skills gap in the region.

The project’s funding breakdown is as follows:

• Total Project Cost: $14.5 million
  • Northwood Technical College Contribution: $750,000 for mobile manufacturing equipment, workforce accelerator development, and instructional costs.
  • Impact Seven Contribution: $8.1 million in construction financing and $250,000 in permanent funds
  • Additional Funding Sources: Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA); Red Stone Equity Partners, LLC; Wisconsin Department of Administration; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development; and the Land O’Lakes Community Investment Council.

Local Leaders Celebrate Groundbreaking

At the ceremony, event speakers included: Northwood Tech Dr. President John Will; Carol Keen, vice president of real estate development for Impact Seven, Inc.; Mai Xiong, WHEDA’s community and economic development officer for northwest Wisconsin; Ann Fennema, vice president of acquisitions at Red Stone Equity Partners, LLC; and Ryan Heise, deputy city administrator for St. Croix Falls. During their time at the podium, speakers reflected on the significance of the Maple Wood Cottages workforce housing and standalone community center/workforce accelerator project.

We are excited to partner with Impact Seven to help address housing while supporting additional educational opportunities in the St. Croix Falls community. Making the HOMES project a reality required the collaboration of many state and local entities, and when it is complete we believe it can be a model to solve the housing and workforce issues that affect many rural communities,” stated Dr. John Will, president of Northwood Tech “

Touching on the project overall, Brett Gerber, president and CEO of Impact Seven, Inc. Brett Gerber, president and CEO of Impact Seven, Inc. stated, “The HOMES project represents an innovative approach to rural community development by combining investment in new housing affordable to working families with technical training opportunities. The development of Maple Wood Cottages and the onsite training center was made possible through the commitment and support of all partners and funders involved and exemplifies an important new contribution to regional community economic development efforts.”

In addition to the Maple Wood Cottages, groundbreaking ceremonies for similar HOMES-funded workforce housing and training projects are planned in Hayward and Hurley, Wisconsin, underscoring the broader impact of the HOMES initiative across northern Wisconsin.

Representatives from the DWD and WEDC highlighted the collaborative effort that made the project possible. “Affordable housing and workforce training are key components to ensuring that Wisconsin has the workers it needs, both now and in the future,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the state’s leading economic development organization. “Northwood Tech and Impact Seven are showing how communities can take the lead in finding innovative solutions to their specific needs.”

"Workforce housing is vital for the economic health and sustainability of our communities so that our local workers have access to affordable, quality housing," said Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek. "This project, supported through the Workforce Innovation Grant Program and part of Gov. Tony Evers' groundbreaking $158 million investment, is a prime example of our broader commitment to fostering innovative, long-term solutions to the workforce challenges in Wisconsin."

Completion Timeline and Application Process

The Maple Wood Cottages are scheduled for completion in late 2025. Housing applications will open in 2025, approximately six months before project completion. Potential residents will be able to apply through the Impact Seven website, where information on eligibility and the application process will be provided.

Addressing Housing and Workforce Needs

The Maple Wood Cottages project, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, exemplifies a successful partnership between Northwood Tech and Impact Seven, Inc. to address both housing shortages and workforce development in northern Wisconsin. Northwood Tech’s mobile training labs will offer certifications and credentials in fields such as mechatronics, smart automation, robotics, and machine tool training, providing opportunities for residents to develop critical skills and collaborate with local businesses.

For more information about the Maple Wood Cottages project or the HOMES grant, visit NorthwoodTech.edu or contact Carole Keen, vice president, real estate development for Impact Seven, Inc. 715.434.1717.

Housing Opportunity & Mobile Education Solutions (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 underemployed, unemployed, and special population individuals.

About Northwood Technical College

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 is a nationally top-ranked college and designated Gold 2024-25 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 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.