About Us
our Mission & Our purpose
Where Business & Community Connect
Dunn Economic Development represents a highly innovative, unified approach to regional growth. Established in the summer of 2024, our organization is powered by a unique consortium of six foundational partners: Dunn County, the City of Menomonie, the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the Dunn County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC), the Greater Menomonie Development Corporation (GMDC), and the Stout Technology and Business Park (STBP).
By breaking down traditional municipal and institutional silos, this strategic partnership created the region’s first shared Director of Economic Development position. For expanding businesses, startups, and developers, this means you no longer have to navigate a maze of different agencies to get your project off the ground. Dunn Economic Development serves as your single point of connection to the entire county’s resources.
Whether you need assistance with business retention and expansion, accessing startup capital, navigating zoning for workforce housing, or tapping into the polytechnic talent pipeline at UW-Stout, our collaborative model ensures a streamlined, efficient, and comprehensive response to your business needs. We harness the collective energy of our municipalities, economic development corporations, and educational institutions to foster sustainable economic growth and opportunity throughout Greater Dunn County.
Dunn Economic Development
Our Founding Partners
The Greater Dunn County economic development initiative is powered by a unique, six-way public-private-academic partnership. By aligning these foundational organizations, we provide a unified, strategic approach to business growth, workforce housing, and community vitality.
Leadership Boards
Greater Menomonie Development Corporation
Eric Atkinson
City Administrator, City of Menomonie
Kris Korpela
Fmr. County Manager, Dunn County
Katherine Frank
Chancellor, UW-Stout Polytechnic
Ashley DeMuth
CEO, Menomonie Area Chamber
Dan Lytle
Director of Economic Development & Regional Campus Management, CVTC
Clark Yolitz
CEO, Dairy State Bank
Randy Knaack
Mayor, City of Menomonie
Steve Jahn
Executive Director, Momentum West
Josh Miller
Senior Planner, Cedar Corp.
Ben Ludeman
Attorney, Weld Riley, S.C.
Laura Faughn
Commercial Loan Specialist, BMO Commercial Bank
Tim Bartels
Community Relations Manager, Xcel Energy
Jesse Singerhouse
CEO, Dunn Energy Cooperative
Leadership Boards
Dunn County Economic Development Corporation
Kris Korpela
Fmr. County Manager, Dunn County
Ashley DeMuth
CEO, Menomonie Area Chamber
Dan Lytle
Director of Economic Development & Regional Campus Management, CVTC
Gary Stene
Dunn County Board of Supervisors, District 5; Trustee, Village of Colfax
Steve Lindberg
Retired
Ann Vogl
Dunn County Board of Supervisors, District 16 (until April 2026); Owner, Dragon Tale Books
Matthew Crowe
Menomonie City Council, Ward 2
Seth Hudson
Director, Office of Corporate Relations and Economic Engagement, UW-Stout Polytechnic
Steve Gerth
Facility Manager, TenX Manufacturing
Laurie Reardon
Center Manager, Family Health Center Menomonie Dental
Chuck Stokke
Fmr. Mayor, City of Menomonie
Jim Wookey
CEO, WESTconsin Credit Union
Tim Benjamin
Village President, Village of Elk Mound
the team
Stout Technology Park
Katherine Frank
Chancellor, UW-Stout Polytechnic
Randy Knaack
Mayor, City of Menomonie
Karl Hoesly
President, Xcel Energy
Thank you to our Investors!
Investing in the Future of Wisconsin
We extend our sincere thanks to the investors who make growth in Dunn County possible. Your support fuels innovation, strengthens our community, and helps local businesses thrive. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected future.
