Dozens of supporters of the Manitowoc Area Visitor and Convention Bureau and the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center gathered at the museum on Gass Lake Road this morning to celebrate the official opening of the MAVCB’s satellite office.
Patty Lehn, the Executive Director of Farm Wisconsin, called the partnership rather symbiotic, as both organizations will benefit.
“We are so proud of the agriculture industry,” she said. “That’s the strength of the industry here in Manitowoc County was key for this building being located here. So we really need the attention that a visitor center brings. So this has been a great collaboration already.”
Gary Stolp, the Vice President of the MACVB, said that the previous relationship between the organizations was important, as were the three L’s: location, location, location.
“Our location originally on Calumet Avenue was great…and then on Dewey Street we were kind of stuck back along the back end,” he explained. “I think out here at Farm, Wisconsin, it is something of a satellite location that will bring us much more visibility and being able to benefit the whole entire Manitowoc area.”
There are some signs indicating the visitor center, but the full signage project is not yet complete.
More signs will be placed on the interstate, which Stolp said should draw more people in, especially those who are traveling from Illinois to Door County.
Even with the minimal signage, Stolp and Lehn have been happy to see an increase in the number of people stopping at Farm Wisconsin, and they believe that even more will stop once the project is complete.
