Open sign at Fifth Ward Brewing in Oshkosh. February 3, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Oshkosh businesses are looking forward, according to the Oshkosh Chamber’s annual business outlook survey report.
Chamber President and CEO Rob Kleman spoke more about the report.
“Generally positive results of the survey that feel good about our local economy, they’re feeling good about, you know, we’re a part of a region here,” he explained. “The new north region, the Fox Valley. So I think that helps from a transportation perspective.”
Kleman said the results show a 2.7% unemployment rate — which is below the national average of 3.8%.
“That’s very positive, it means people are working,” he said. “We have more people working in Oshkosh this year over last by another 300 people.”
Ian Wenger, Owner of Fifth Ward Brewing Company which operates in Oshkosh, said it’s seen strong employee growth over the past few years.
“We’ve actually brought on a full time tap room manager in the past year as well,” he said. “So, and we’re looking in this next year, two or three adding another full time back of house employee, some brewery help.”
Wenger said organic growth is at the center of their business — and that’s the goal for the coming year.
But proposed tariffs by the Trump Administration could pose a problem for their business.
“We are, at the core of it, a manufacturer, so those things do affect us pretty heavily,” Wenger told us. “We get ingredients from around the world, aluminum cans, kegs, packaging, things like that that we are importing. So it will be interesting to see how we’ll have to roll with the punches.”
Wenger added the craft beer industry is volatile and is currently in a downturn — but community support has never been better.
“If anything it just keeps getting stronger, you know, as long as you’ve got good beer people are going to keep coming back for it,” he said.
The Oshkosh Chamber estimates $100 million in new development this year — up from the $30 million the community saw in 2024.
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