Ladysmith, Wis. – From defunct to someone’s dream home, a recent grant is helping Ladysmith complete a project that will provide workforce housing and a community center.

Ladysmith’s former elementary school has sat empty for years, now classrooms are being converted into 40 housing units.

To make the nearly $13-million project a reality, it takes funding, and Christianson said a recent $200,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has gone a long way.

“A lot of our larger employers have been asking for housing for a long time,” Christianson said. “That’s been kind of an issue hindering their recruitment efforts for new employees is, “Yeah I can take a job, but where am I going to find the housing?” so adding 40 units of housing stock in an area our size is huge.”

[Adapted from: Former Ladysmith elementary school being converted into workforce housing. March 15, 2024, WQOW News 18]