The Community Development Division located at City Hall, 407 Grant Street, oversees marketing of the Wausau West Business and Industrial Park (pdf) and works with new and expanding corporations in the areas of location, sale of land and business financing. The Department also functions as the City's point of origin for new small business and commercial operations.  The Wausau Business Development Center, located at 100 N. 72nd Avenue, features office and manufacturing space.  For more information, please visit their website by clicking here.

The Department manages an approximate $700,000 fund through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and directs all implementing regulations for fair labor standards, fair housing, environmental, and residential and commercial relocation. The CDBG program and the HOME program finance a variety of activities for the City of Wausau, including sidewalk and street reconstruction, water service; Homeowner and Rental Rehabilitation, as well as Down-payment assistance, Economic Development.  The Department allocates funds to public and private non-profit organizations, assisting them achieve their programs objectives of serving low and moderate income residents.

Wausau's Community Development Department develops structures that enable the community to participate and contribute positively in an effort to make Wausau a better place to live.  Our department raises awareness of the broad range of opportunities and choices open to us by offering avenues for discussion and support for action.  To sustain our quality of life, the Department works to:

• Support and develop individuals that contribute effectively and are willing to take well considered risks,
• Promote the development of autonomous and accountable structures,
• Learn from experience as a basis for change,
• Use resources with respect and concern for the environment.

The Community Development Department also works in the Central Business District on acquisition, demolition and redevelopment of property to new use. The Main Street office, located downtown, was opened to focus on issues relative to retail recruitment, historic building rehabilitation and coordination of downtown affairs. Wausau Area Events creates and manages a series of events for the Wausau area that will bring recreational, cultural, educational and economic impacts to residents, visitors and the business community. 

Click here to visit the City of Wausau Community & Economic Development Web Site.

Click here to view programs offered by the Community Development Department.