RICE LAKE, Wis. - Northwood Technical College, in partnership with Impact Seven, joined state, local and private partners on Sept. 11 to celebrate two Housing Opportunity and Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) Initiative projects with a groundbreaking for Trailview Cottages in Hayward and ribbon cutting for Maple Wood Cottages in St. Croix Falls. On Sept. 12, a third HOMES project will be celebrated with a groundbreaking for Forest Grove Cottages in Hurley.
The three projects, supported by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), Cinnaire, and Red Stone Equity Partners, combine affordable housing with access to mobile workforce training labs operated by Northwood Tech.
In attendance at the ribbon cutting held in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, praised the collaboration stating, "The HOMES Initiative exemplifies how strategic partnerships can address housing and workforce needs in rural Wisconsin. By investing in affordable housing and career training, we are not only helping Wisconsinites thrive, but also strengthening the skilled workforce that powers businesses and supply chains across the Upper Midwest. These projects keep families in our communities, support local economies, and ensure that our region remains competitive and resilient."
Regional Challenges and Solutions
Rural communities across northwest Wisconsin face a shortage of affordable housing, limited access to education and job training, and a shrinking pool of skilled workers. Rising costs and limited development make it difficult for families to stay near their jobs, while long distances to training centers put career growth further out of reach. Unlike urban areas with subways or light rail, most rural residents do not have regular transportation to reach training or college campuses.
What began as a $30 million vision for the HOMES Initiative has grown into more than $46 million invested in new housing and career training across the Northwood Tech District, reflecting a strong commitment to transforming communities and supporting the people who live and work here.
"The Housing Opportunity and Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) project shows what's possible when local partners, educators, and a mission-driven developer work together,* said Brett Gerber, President and CEO of Impact Seven. "We're building more than homes; we're building futures. By pairing quality, affordable housing with access to cutting-edge workforce training, we're addressing two of the most pressing needs in rural Wisconsin-safe homes and good-paying jobs. Impact Seven, Northwood Technical College, and these communities are investing in the long-term success of residents and the vitality of local communities. It's a model for rural revitalization that can work across the state."
Housing Meets Workforce Training
"We're so excited to have the opportunity to partner with Impact Seven to create three new innovative mobile education sites for Northwood Technical College. Each community will have the opportunity over the next few years to host high-quality mobile labs in program areas like welding, advanced manufacturing, and dental assistant," said Northwood Tech President Dr. John Will.
Each site will feature 40 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, creating new affordable housing options for families, seniors and workers. Alongside housing, the projects will add a workforce accelerator that expands access to Northwood Tech classes and training.
The Maple Wood Cottages in St. Croix Fall, in partnership with Red Stone Equity Partners, were highlighted by leaders as a model for how affordable housing and easier access to education and training can strengthen both families and local economies. Residents are already living in the new apartments, a critical investment in a county where 6.6% of residents live in poverty, according to 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) data.
The new developments to currently being built in Hayward and Hurley, in partnership with Cinnaire, will continue the momentum. The HOMES project in Hayward will expand rental housing in a county where 15% of residents live in poverty. In Hurley, where the last major rental housing development was built three decades ago, the Forest Grove Cottages project will provide safe, affordable homes alongside access to workforce programs in a community where 11.6% of residents live in poverty, according to the 2023 ACS.
Economic Context
Each project aligns with pressing workforce needs. Aside from current labor shortages, these industries are projected to grow within the next five years:
- St. Croix County: 5.2% in manufacturing, 8.7% in health care, and 3.3% in trades.
- Sawyer County: 4.3% in manufacturing, 8.7% in health care, and 5.1% in trades.
- Iron County: 4.3% in manufacturing, 4% in health care, and 1.1% in trades.
"These projects are great examples of how public-private partnerships make affordable housing possible in rural communities," said Chris Jillings, senior vice president, Business Development at Cinnaire. "Through the Housing Tax Credit program, we're able to bring together federal resources, state leadership, and private investment to create high-quality housing that directly supports the local workforce. These new communities will not only provide safe, affordable homes for families, seniors, and workers, but they will also strengthen the economic vitality of the entire region."
Midwest Impact
The projects are part of a broader effort to stabilize the rural workforce in the Northwood Tech District which encompasses 11 counties in northwester Wisconsin. St. Croix Falls and Hurley are both two cities close to the Minnesota and Michigan borders. People often commute across state lines for work, and supply chains and local businesses depend on reliable labor pools to keep networks moving and drive growth. Strengthening housing and training here supports not just northwest Wisconsin, but the wider regional economy across the Upper Midwest.
For more information about the HOMES Initiative, visit NorthwoodTech.edu.
HOMES Grant Funding Statement
The three-year, $9.8 million Housing Opportunity & Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) project is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Impact Seven will provide an additional $20 million for sustainable affordable housing options within the district. Northwood Technical College will provide an additional $1.25 million to conduct advanced manufacturing training for underemployed, unemployed, and special population individuals.
(Pictured Left to right) Mai Xiong, WHEDA community & economic development officer; Anna Ringstad, representative, US Senator Tammy Baldwin's office; Dr. John Will, president of Northwood Technical College; Brett Gerber, president and CEO of Impact Seven; Jim Miller representative, State Representative Tom Tiffany's office; Shanise Faust, Cinnaire business development associate, and Abbey Delgadillo, FHLB/AHP funds representative.
Northwood Tech President Dr. John Will addressed the attendees during the groundbreaking for Trailview Cottages in Hayward.
Construction is officially underway for the new Trailview Cottages in Hayward.
(Left to right) Dr. John Will, president of Northwood Technical College; St. Croix Falls Mayor Kirk Anderson; Mai Xiong, WHEDA community & economic development officer; Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers; Brett Gerber, president and CEO of Impact Seven; Andrew Teal, Red Stone Equity asset manager; St. Croix Falls City Administrator Ryan Heise; and Dave Danielson, board director for Impact Seven.
Gov. Tony Evers (center) toured of one of the apartments within the Maple Wood Cottages development after the ribbon cutting.
Gov. Tony Evers (pictured with Northwood Tech Machine Tool instructor Eric Roberts) was given an overview by Northwood Tech faculty of the mobile training equipment and labs available for workforce training at Northwood Tech's new St. Croix Falls Workforce Accelerator located in the Maple Wood Cottages community building.
About Northwood Technical College
Northwood Technical College is a nationally top-ranked colege and designated Silver 2025-26 Military Friendly® School that puts Students First. Northwood Tech serves the educational and career needs of approximately 14,000 residents of Northwester Wisconsin each year. With muftiple campuses, Northwood Tech offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, short-ferm certificates, customized business training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. Northwood Tech is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org). For more information, call 800.243.9482 or visit NorthwoodTech.edu.
Northwood Technical College is grateful for all its community partnerships. Your support of the Northwood Tech Foundation is essential to student success. For information on how to contribute, visit NorthwoodTech edu/donate.
Northwood Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, service in the uniformed services, veteran status, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or famiy status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions or status in any group protected by state or local law in employment, admissions or its programs or activities. The following person has been designated to handie inquiries regarding the College's nondiscrimination policies: Amanda Gode, AA/EEO Officer/Title IX Coordinator/Associate Vice President of Talent and Culture; 1900 College Drive, Rice Lake, WI 54868; 715.645.7042; Wisconsin Relay System TTY:711 Amanda.Gohde@NorthwoodTech.edu.
Last Update: Sep 12, 2025 12:54 pm CDT
