Stevens Point is Our Area

To look toward 2040, Stevens Point is shifting from "survival mode" to "strategic expansion." The city is actively pivoting from a traditional industrial base toward a high-tech, service-oriented economy designed to attract a younger workforce.

Here is what the business landscape is projected to look like through 2040:

The current focus is on "The Hub Strategy," which moves away from concentrating business only in the downtown area and instead creates "nodes" of commerce throughout the city.

• Downtown & Riverfront Revitalization: The redevelopment of the former Shopko site and Edgewater Manor are high-priority projects. By 2030, these areas are expected to be mixed-use anchors featuring boutique retail, "gentle density" housing, and tech-friendly office spaces.
  
• Expansion of Business Parks: With the Portage County Business Park and the original Industrial Park reaching capacity, the East Park Commerce Center will be the primary engine for industrial growth. Expect to see significant investments in logistics, advanced manufacturing, and green energy startups here through the late 2020s.
• The AMETA Center Effect: As this center (Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Apprenticeship) scales up, it will act as a magnet for specialized engineering firms and "light-heavy" manufacturing companies that want to be close to a fresh pipeline of skilled talent.

Looking further out, the city’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan (currently being drafted and refined) outlines a vision for a highly connected, resilient economy.

• The "Digital Corridor" on Division Street: By 2040, the Division Street corridor is envisioned as a modernized transit and business spine. Plans include "road diets" to make the area more walkable, which city planners believe will attract creative agencies, remote-work co-working spaces, and health-tech startups.
• Sentry Insurance & Corporate Stability: As one of the city's largest employers, Sentry’s continued expansion (including their recent claims office consolidation) suggests they will remain a stabilizing force in the local economy well into the 2040s, likely anchoring further professional service growth in the North Point Drive area.
• Sustainable Industry: By 2040, Stevens Point aims to leverage its "Wonderful Water" reputation to attract businesses in the Blue Economy (water technology and conservation) and sustainable agriculture, moving toward carbon-neutral industrial practices.
• Retail Evolution: Traditional big-box retail is projected to continue shrinking in favor of "experiential retail." Areas like Crossroads Commons are likely to see a shift toward entertainment-retail hybrids—combining shopping with dining, indoor recreation, and community gathering spaces.