As I reflect on my first year as Pleasant Prairie Village President, I am filled with pride and gratitude, not just for the many accomplishments we have achieved, but for the community spirit I see every day in our neighbors and the dedication shown by Village staff across every department. By working closely together, we have continued to create welcoming spaces, strengthen Village traditions, and host events that bring residents together, all while reinforcing our commitment to public safety, economic security, and low taxes.

Thanks to our professional staff, commissioners, and board members, who share a vision for a well-planned community, we continue to experience successful economic development. Village homeowners account for less than 50 percent of the overall tax burden, a milestone that reflects our long-term vision for smart, strategic growth. In 2025, I saw that momentum continue as Eli Lilly launched a $3 billion investment to expand the facility in Prairie Highlands Corporate Park and the surrounding area, bringing in 750 new jobs and further positioning Pleasant Prairie as a leader in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. Uline is making significant progress on the H4 Corporate Office, which is adding 366,000 square feet and is anticipated to add up to 1,300 jobs. At the same time, Balcan Innovations is moving forward with a $200 million investment that includes a new rail spur and facility enhancements that will increase production capacity by 700 percent. Smurfit WestRock completed a redevelopment project on the former WE Energies coal-fired power plant site through a $140 million facility, revitalizing the area and creating hundreds of new jobs. Together, these investments continue to diversify our tax base and reinforce Pleasant Prairie’s reputation as a premier destination for business growth and expansion.

This year, we celebrated an incredible milestone with the 25th Anniversary of Pleasant Prairie RecPlex. I’m continually amazed by the energy and joy that RecPlex brings, whether it’s welcoming athletes from across the Midwest or seeing the memories and traditions created for families and guests. As the largest municipally owned fitness center in the country, RecPlex is a destination for sports and recreation that contributes to more than $10 million in annual economic activity. Over the past year, RecPlex and Prairie Springs Park have benefited from forward-thinking investments, including turf upgrades on the north ball fields, a new hot yoga studio, cost-saving roof and solar improvements, and an expanded Wibit inflatable obstacle course at Lake Andrea Beach. The 2025 Lake Andrea Beer Garden season was our most successful yet, drawing friends and families together in a welcoming setting. As we move forward, I remain committed to continued enhancements and accessibility improvements throughout Prairie Springs Park to ensure it remains vibrant and inclusive for generations to come.

Read more at the Kenosha News.