With its broad range of retail, manufacturing, wholesale, recreation and dining businesses, the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area enjoys a vibrant economy. A major factor in this economic health is the effort by local companies to upgrade facilities and use new technology to remain competitive.

More than 45,000 county residents find employment with area companies, keeping the unemployment numbers well below the national average. Traditional ethnic fare at local restaurants and the delights of first-class confectioners also give the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area a unique atmosphere.

Both Manitowoc and Two Rivers have full-service light industrial sites available. The City of Two Rivers will assist in obtaining property in Columbus and Woodland Industrial Parks. Industrial construction programs can be tailored to suit qualified companies.

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, soft-drink dispensing valves and commercial refrigeration equipment for the food service, lodging, convenience store, beverage and bottling industries. Manitowoc holds the number one position in high-capacity, lattice-boom crawler cranes for heavy construction, energy-related, duty-cycle, dockside and crane-rental applications, and is one of America's leading producers of boom trucks and related material-handling equipment. Manitowoc is also the dominant provider of ship repair, conversion and new construction services for the Great Lakes maritime industry.

If you are seeking employment, Manitowoc County is a great place to work, live and have fun.

Among the businesses with a history of quality are:

Fisher Hamilton Inc.,world recognized  producers of  laboratory furniture and equipment. The company now employs over 1000 and has been in operation since 1880.

Federal Mogul Corp., Powertrain System, employs 590 in the production of automotive piston rings.

Dayco Eastman, manufactures host assemblies, tubing, couplings and adapter fittings. Employs 790.

Burger Boat Co., produces world-class luxury motor yachts, continuing an area tradition of boat-building which began in 1847 with the launching of the first wooden sailing ships.

Spancrete, at Valders, produces pre-stressed, hollow core concrete products.

Other major employers in the Manitowoc/Two Rivers business community are Busch Agricultural Resources Inc., Lakeside Foods Inc., Natural Ovens of Manitowoc, Formrite Companies, Weyerhauser Corp., Specialty Brands, Color Craft Graphic Arts and Metal Ware Corp.

Cook's Corner offers and array of items for cooking and baking, while the Washington Street Antique Mall features treasures of the past from dozens of merchants.

Beerntsen's has been a tradition in Manitowoc for more than five decades, offering candies and other sweets of unmatched quality.

Ed Berners invented the ice cream sundae in Two Rivers in 1881. A replica of his ice cream parlor continues the tradition with 18 different sundaes. Or visit Cedar Crest Specialties old-fashioned ice cream parlor.

You'll find quality merchandise at Schroeder's Department Store in Two Rivers, a fixture in the local economy since 1891.

Manitowoc and Two Rivers make it a priority to assist companies which want to locate here or assist a business which is already part of the local economy and wishes to expand. Such programs as industrial revenue bonds, revolving loan programs, Wisconsin Development Zones and others may be used to tailor construction or expansion to qualified companies.

Downtown and Main Street programs can help retail businesses as well as keep the commercial part of the communities alive and well. Fixed asset financing is available for businesses locating and investing in downtown Manitowoc through the Manitowoc Commercial Revolving Loan Program. Two River's Main Street Program provides renewal for the downtown area while the City of Two Rivers has a revolving loan fund for new and existing businesses.

For additional information see Economic Development.