Report: Kohler golf course to have $20.6 million impact
The golf course proposed by Kohler Co. in the Town of Wilson would create 227 full-time jobs and generate an annual economic impact of $20.6 million, according to an economic impact study released Wednesday by the company.
The study, performed by SB Friedman Development Advisors in Chicago, estimates that the golf course's three-year construction phase would create 95 full-time construction jobs and have a $12.5 million economic impact on Sheboygan County.
Kohler Co. says it will make an initial investment of $25 million to build and develop the golf course.
When the course is fully operational, 106 full-time equivalent jobs, or FTEs, would be created by Kohler Co. and another 121 FTEs would be created elsewhere in the county. Together, they'd be earning $8.9 million annually.
The study also suggests a boon to the tourism economy, with an estimated $6.5 million in additional spending by visitors as a result.
Kohler Co. applied last Spring to the Town of Wilson for a conditional use permit for the proposed championship 18-hole golf course, which would be built on 247 acres of Kohler-owned forestland along Lake Michigan that would use a portion of the Kohler-Andrae State Park. The town's Plan Commission is expected to eventually take a vote on that application, after which it will go to the full Town Board for a vote.
In mid to late March, an environmental impact report will be released from the state Department of Natural Resources that will include the economic information as well as land use, traffic and other issues. A new website — www.proposedgolfcourse.com — will include the economic impact report and the environmental report and other information.
"We want to be as transparent as possible," Kohler spokesman Todd Weber said.
Kohler expects all three golf courses — including Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits — to be filled to capacity and are not counting on tournaments, such as the PGA, to achieve the report's projected economic impact, Weber said. The company would create extended stay packages and marketing efforts to minimize "cannibalization" of users of the other two golf courses.
"If the new course wasn't built, the other two courses would reach capacity much quicker," said Ranadip Bose, senior project manager with SB Friedman.
Members of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corp. were presented the report Wednesday morning.
David Aldag, SCEDC chairman of the board, said the information seemed "realistic" if not a bit conservative. But he added that the information had promising implications for the county's economic development opportunities.
"I know from past history that every Kohler project that has been done has been done in a first-class manner and has been an economic benefit to our community. If those projects did not exist, there would be a large hole in our community," Aldag said. "As a resident, I think that its amazing what the Kohler Co. has done for the community."
Friends of the Black River Forest has opposed the project and chastised Town Chairman David Gartman for private meetings he had with Herb Kohler Jr. The group has also attempted to run candidates against current Town Board members to push back against the course plans.
David Gartman did not return calls asking for comment on the report, but is expected to speak at the Town Board meeting on Monday to discuss his meetings with Kohler.
— Reach Jason Smathers at 920-453-5167.