For those who crave a good day’s shopping adventure, Manitowoc County has everything it takes to satisfy the most die-hard shopaholics. ‘Main Street’ Manitowoc is located in the heart of the city and straddles the Manitowoc River. Its cross streets comprise historic downtown Manitowoc and is only a few blocks from Lake Michigan, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, the Marina, and the carferry dock. Here, shoppers will enjoy quaint cafes and delis, ethnic and fine dining, lounges and pubs. There are also various Bed and Breakfasts and Inn’s, plus Beerntsen Confectionary, Inc., a lakeshore tradition for over 50 years. One can also browse through the many specialty boutiques and shoppes, book stores, craft vendors, florists and jewelers.

The Washington Street Antique Mall has 36 dealers housed in 16,000 sq. ft. of yesterday’s treasures. Cook’s Corner is a vast cooking and baking product outlet mall that features products from local manufacturers.

Schroeder’s Department Store, in Two Rivers, has thrived since 1891, and that city is experiencing a Main Street revitalization program which will draw in shoppers and tourists alike. Along Washington Street are antique and collectible shops and great restaurants like Kurtz’s Pub & Deli, famous for delicious sandwiches and beer. Be sure to visit the family-owned Pine River Dairy, just southwest of town, and watch the butter manufacturing process that they have perfected for over a century, or sample one of their over 130 varieties of cheese.

Natural Ovens of Manitowoc, where 3,000 loaves of bread are baked hourly, draws hundreds of visitors from miles around due to its heavenly aroma. With a wide variety of retail establishments that offer an array of products at affordable prices, Manitowoc County is sure to please even the most frugal of shoppers.

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Manitowoc and Two Rivers have a well-deserved reputation as two of Wisconsin's most diversified industrial communities. Continual expansion and upgrades are implemented to meet changing market demands.

Founded in 1902, The Manitowoc Company is a diversified capital goods manufacturer that employs a workforce of more than 3,000 employees from Manitowoc/Two Rivers and the surrounding communities. The firm is comprised of three business segments and is recognized for it numerous world class products, including ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, commercial refrigeration equipment, cranes and boom trucks. Another of the region's leaders in manufacturing and business is the Mirro Company, which was founded in 1895. The second-largest employer in the area, with more than 2,000 workers, manufactures familiar brand name aluminum cookware and bakeware.

Fisher Hamilton, Inc. employing 800, has been producing laboratory furniture and equipment since 1880. Federal-Mogul Corp., Powertrain System’s 590 workers produce automotive piston rings, while Dayco Eastman, with 900 employees, manufactures various items such as hose assemblies, tubing, couplings, and adapter fittings.

Many smaller businesses operating in the region proudly call Manitowoc and Two Rivers home. Some of these include: Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc., which produces barley malt for its parent company, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.; Lakeside Foods, Inc., which cans and freezes a variety of food goods; Natural Ovens of Manitowoc; and the Weyerhaeuser Corporation. Specialty brands is a vinegar producer for popular distribution, while the world famous NESCO roaster is made in Two Rivers by the Metal Ware Corporation.

Other commercial advantages to businesses in the region make Manitowoc/Two Rivers ideal candidates for enterprise. Both assist companies secure loans through the State's City Development Block Grant program and by issuing Industrial Revenue Bonds for development projects. Fixed asset financing for businesses locating and investing in downtown Manitowoc through the Manitowoc Commercial Revolving Loan Program is also available. A similar initiative, the Manitowoc Industrial Revolving Loan Program assists both new and existing companies with fixed asset financing for industrial expansion on a citywide basis.

The City of Two Rivers will finance the purchase of new land in the Columbus and Woodland Industrial Parks at favorable interest rates. The city also has the ability to tailor an industrial construction program to qualified companies. Double-tax-exempt Industrial Revenue Bonds may also be available. Two Rivers' Main Street Program provides renewal for the downtown area while the city has a revolving Loan Fund for new and existing businesses.

With a firm commitment to commercial and industrial progress, innovative corporate incentives and a willing, flexible work force at hand, Manitowoc/Two Rivers are poised to remain the region's major industrial and labor centers well into the next century. For more information contact the Manitowoc City Planning Department at (920)683-4435 or www.manitowoc.org.

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Manitowoc provides the best health care available for its citizens as part of a comprehensive, focused effort to ensure their continued good health and well-being. There are two major health care providers in the area. Holy Family Memorial Medical Center in Manitowoc has campuses on Reed Avenue and Western Avenue. It is sponsored by the Franciscan sisters of Christian Charity and has fully staffed emergency services, specialized surgery, and a dedicated oncology unit. It also features diagnostic imaging, a Family Beginnings maternity unit, and therapy services.

Two Rivers Community Hospital, Inc, is a non-profit, fully-accredited acute care hospital and is affiliated with Aurora Healthcare. Its staff specialists include family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pediatrics, urology, surgery, pulmonology, cardiology, Ear-Nose-Throat, neuro-surgery and The Birth Center maternity unit. It is also directly connected to the 85-bed skilled nursing facility, Hamilton Memorial Home.

Opening in Spring 2000 overlooking Lake Michigan, the all new Aurora Medical Center will offer the latest advances in patient comfort and care and will become the new-century hub of Aurora facilities in Manitowoc County.

Manitowoc also has public and private agencies for the treatment of substance abuse and addiction as well as mental health treatment facilities. The county is also served by Family Services Lakeshore, Inc., a private, non-profit, human services agency that features services such as outpatient ADDA and mental health counseling. Health care issues are also addressed by various United Way agencies throughout the county.

Rounding out the local health care community are many private healthcare clinics whose service and dedication to Manitowoc County well-being are second to none.

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Manitowoc County is governed by a body of dedicated civil servants entrusted to maintain the highest standards, uphold the law and enrich the lives of its citizens. In Manitowoc, a mayor/city council form of government legislates city policy. In Two Rivers, city government is composed of the city manager/city council. City offices operate in conjunction with the governing body to keep day-to-day operations running smoothly.

The dedicated officers of the city and village police departments are highly trained and organized to serve and protect the community. Firefighting and emergency services are handled by the city and village’s fire departments. The departments are well-equipped with the latest equipment and prepared to handle a variety of emergency situations.

Pride in its civic duty is one of Manitowoc County’s hallmarks and is evident everywhere from the city’s leaders to village and town halls. Holding the public trust in highest esteem, these local officials provide first rate service and professional security for the community, making it an ideal place to live, work and raise a family.

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