MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) – A Northeast Wisconsin community and their cross-border partner are hoping their bond will propel them into big bucks for a small business makeover.
The twin towns of Marinette, Wisconsin and Menominee, Michigan have advanced to the final ten for a reality series called Small Business Revolution – Main Street, which awards $500,000 to the winning community.
Business owners in the area say the competition and subsequent advancement into the final ten have brought people from both sides of the border together.
So much so, that both sides have done something new.
“First time that the interstate bridge has ever sported the same banner between Marinette and Menominee across the whole bridge,” says Keith Killen, a small business owner in Menominee.
The banner was hung in an effort to roll out the red carpet of hospitality for show executives from the Deluxe Corporation that came into town on Thursday to tour the community and speak with business owners.
Killen says both towns have banded together to create as inviting an atmosphere as possible.
“There are signs all out through the community,” he explains. “There are digital message centers flashing the welcome.”
Of the ten nationwide finalists, Marinette/Menominee is the only twin town community on the list.
“It’s our superpower, I think,” says Killen.
For those in the communities, they believe their relationship serves as a shining example to others.
“Pulling together for us is, we think, an example for other small communities and small towns, whether they’re divided or not,” explains Killen.
And with all the encouraging comradery and teamwork taking place, he thinks, win or lose, the twin towns will both benefit from the experience.
“It really is more about what they do and what we do with the opportunity, than about the money,” says Killen.
Business owners took the opportunity on Thursday to speak with executives and explain to them the various challenges and obstacles they face.
“What it is we’ll do on the other side of that,” he explains.
Individuals from the Deluxe Corporation will be making the rounds over the country visiting all ten finalist communities before the field is narrowed down to five in the second week of February.
At that point, the five remaining towns go into national voting, which will allow the public to cast their vote on which town they think is most deserving.
The winning community will be announced at the end of February.
