You could see more workforce housing coming to Sturgeon Bay soon, and some things about it make it unique.
For starters, the homes being developed by Portside Builders in Sturgeon Bay will sit on land given to them for free by the city thanks to leftover funds from the closure of Tax Increment District #1 that was put aside for affordable housing projects. Once the home is built, the buyer has to work full-time in Door County and is locked into the house for six years, or else they may have to pay a fee. The homes will also not be allowed to be used as a short-term rental. Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward says other areas around the state, like Sheboygan and northern Door County, are going this route to ensure that local businesses have the needed employees.
Ward says it is already off to a fast start, with the construction of two homes underway.