RestoreMore establishes a permanent home in the City of Racine with SBA 504 financing. RCEDC helped connect RestoreMore with financing that supported its expansion, investment, and long-term success in the City of Racine. City of Racine, WI - Since 2015, RestoreMore, Inc. has provided homeowners and businesses throughout Southeastern Wisconsin with dependable restoration services following fire, water, and mold damage. Founded by Steve Schiele, the company offers 24/7 emergency response along with a comprehensive range of restoration solutions, including fire and smoke damage repair, water damage restoration, mold remediation, and professional cleaning services. As demand for its services continued to grow, RestoreMore invested in a permanent facility in the City of Racine by purchasing and renovating an existing building. The expansion established a long-term home for the company while positioning it for continued growth and service throughout the region. To help make the project possible, RCEDC partnered with Barry Fries, Vice President of Commercial Banking at Johnson Financial Group, to secure SBA 504 financing. Through the partnership, Johnson Financial Group provided 50% of the project financing, while RCEDC funded 40% through the SBA 504 loan program. The financing structure allowed RestoreMore to complete the purchase and renovation with just a 10% down payment while securing long-term, fixed-rate financing. This project demonstrates how strategic financing partnerships can help Racine County businesses invest in their future. By leveraging the SBA 504 loan program, RCEDC and Johnson Financial Group helped RestoreMore secure the capital needed to expand its operations and strengthen its long-term presence in the community.

Acts Housing announces 2026 Rock County Neighborhood Table honorees. * Acts Housing * July 28, 2026 Acts Housing is proud to announce the honorees for the 2026 Rock County Neighborhood Table, an evening dedicated to celebrating the people and partnerships making affordable homeownership possible throughout Rock County. The event, taking place on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, brings together community leaders, homeowners, supporters, and partners to recognize the individuals and organizations whose leadership has strengthened neighborhoods and expanded opportunities for local families. This year's honorees have each played a unique role in advancing Acts Housing's mission of helping families achieve lasting homeownership and build generational wealth. Legacy Prize: Hendricks Family Foundation. The Hendricks Family Foundation will receive the 2026 Legacy Prize in recognition of its transformative investment in bringing Acts Housing to Beloit. In 2019, the Foundation made a bold commitment that helped launch Acts Housing's work in Rock County. Beyond its financial support, the Hendricks Family Foundation leveraged its deep community relationships to establish a groundbreaking partnership between Acts Housing and the City of Beloit, creating a pathway for vacant, tax-foreclosed properties to become thriving family homes once again. Together, this collaboration has transformed 27 formerly tax-foreclosed properties into owner-occupied homes, returning them to the tax rolls, strengthening neighborhoods, and creating new opportunities for families to build generational wealth. Their vision, leadership, and commitment to the Beloit community continue to create lasting impact. Partner of the Year: Johnson Financial Group. The Partner of the Year Award will be presented to Johnson Financial Group for its outstanding partnership in expanding access to affordable homeownership throughout Rock County. Since Acts Housing launched in Beloit, Johnson Financial Group has worked alongside its team to develop financing solutions for buyers facing significant barriers to homeownership. Their commitment extends beyond mortgages. They share its belief that homeownership strengthens families, stabilizes neighborhoods, and creates lasting financial security. Over the past year, Johnson Financial Group has helped make homeownership possible for more than 10 Acts Housing families in Rock County. Their partnership demonstrates what can be accomplished when community-minded financial institutions and mission-driven organizations work together. Advocate of the Year: Sean & Veronica Chisholm. This year's Advocate of the Year Award recognizes Sean and Veronica Chisholm, whose inspiring homeownership journey has become a source of encouragement for families throughout the community. When the couple moved to Beloit in 1998, Sean promised Veronica that one day they would own a home. More than two decades later, that promise became reality when they purchased their first home through Acts Housing in 2022. Along the way, they worked diligently to improve their credit, eliminate debt, and build savings, demonstrating extraordinary perseverance and determination. Today, Sean and Veronica continue to share their story with others, showing that with commitment, preparation, and the right support, homeownership is possible. Join Acts Housing in celebrating. The Rock County Neighborhood Table is more than an awards ceremony. It is a celebration of the partnerships, perseverance, and community investment that are helping more families achieve the dream of homeownership. Acts Housing invite community members, partners, and supporters to join Acts Housing on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, as Acts Housing recognize these outstanding honorees and celebrate the growing impact of affordable homeownership throughout Rock County.