PESHTIGO, Wis. — The City of Peshtigo’s motto, “Reborn from the Ashes,” is a testament to the resilience of its citizens and leaders. Since the Peshtigo Fire of 1871, the city has turned its historical roots into a draw for tourists.Mayor Katie Berman joined Spectrum News 1’s “Your Local Leaders” segment to share how the city is creating sustainable growth.
“We are in a bit of a unique situation for a small community in Wisconsin,” Berman said. “We are three square miles. We are kind of land landlocked. We don’t have a lot of urban sprawl, so housing is top of mind for us.”
To address the issue, the city is moving forward with a workforce housing project to support local economic growth. The development is centered on a 7-acre “Crossing Point” property near West Front Street and Hale Road.
It will include around 30 homes built on city-owned land. The homes will be smaller and less expensive, targeting working individuals and families...
Leo's notes: Peshtigo is a great example of how smaller Wisconsin communities are increasingly tying housing policy directly to economic development and long-term population stability. Facing geographic constraints and limited room for outward expansion, their approach focuses on ownership-oriented housing scaled to the realities of a small, land-constrained city. Their blended solution of heritage preservation, walkability, local events and modest workforce housing investment reflects a strategy worth following for smaller regional communities trying to grow without losing their character...
Share this article on your social outlets
Our Sponsors
- - Volume: 26 - WEEK: 21 Date: 5/18/2026 4:05:01 PM -