As 2024 comes to a close, County Executive Samantha Kerkman offers a look back at the most significant accomplishments in Kenosha County Government throughout the year. Here is a top-10 list, presented in no particular order:

Major economic development announcement:

The year closed out with a historic economic development announcement — and optimism about more good things to come in 2025.

On Dec. 5, Eli Lilly and Company unveiled plans for a $3 billion expansion of its manufacturing operations in Kenosha County, expected to create 750 family-supporting jobs once it’s online and 2,000 construction jobs. With that, this worldwide leader in the pharmaceutical industry will be growing its existing footprint in Pleasant Prairie and expanding onto additional land in Bristol.

This development will have a significant impact on our local economy for many years to come, and it further demonstrates how Kenosha County has become a destination of choice for high-quality employers from all over the world.

Retaining AAA:

As a reflection of our continuing economic development success and our strong fiscal health, S&P Global in August renewed Kenosha County’s AAA bond rating — the highest rating possible — for the fourth consecutive year.

In those years, the AAA rating has allowed county taxpayers to save roughly $1 million in interest costs for financing to support major projects.

This achievement is a result of the outstanding work of Finance Director Patricia Merrill and the county’s entire fiscal team, as well as our ongoing collaborations with County Board Chairman Monica M. Yuhas, Finance Committee Chairman Jeff Gentz and the entire County Board, our municipalities, the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, and other community stakeholders. I look forward to continued success in the years to come.

New county logo:

During my State of the County address in May, I had the pleasure of introducing Kenosha County’s first new logo in more than 40 years.

Developed in collaboration with members of the County Board and approved unanimously by the board as the county’s official seal, the logo embodies the essence of our county, honoring our past while looking toward the future.

My compliments go to current County Board Supervisors Laura Belsky and Erin Decker and former Supervisors Zach Rodriguez and Zach Stock for their contributions to this process. And a special thanks to retired Supervisor Bob Pitts — a devoted advocate for our county — and his grandson, Alec Schires, for helping me to unveil the logo to the board.

Improving broadband connectivity:

Significant steps were taken in 2024 to address the lack of access to high-speed internet service in rural areas of the county.

Spectrum in December announced the launch of its broadband service to roughly 1,000 homes and small businesses in underserved areas of Brighton, Paris and Bristol. This comes as a county grant award is extending access to more than 100 homes in Brighton and Bristol, and the Town of Paris is in the final stages of an effort to run fiberoptic infrastructure past every town residence.

Paris Chairman John Holloway has been a leader in these efforts to close the broadband access gap, steering his town’s efforts and serving as the chairman of the Broadband Advisory Committee that I created in 2023.

Brighton Town Chairwoman Susan Crane, Bristol Village Administrator Randy Kerkman and County Board Supervisor Keith Gray also serve on that committee and have been strong advocates for their constituents’ needs. I thank them and all the committee members for their efforts to address this significant issue.

Addressing our need for more housing:

In November, we launched the Kenosha County Housing Task Force.

A joint effort of the county and the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, the task force is made up of developers, leaders of our municipalities and nonprofits, financing experts, real estate agents, and other community members interested in growing the inventory of housing for all throughout Kenosha County.

Workgroups will be meeting in January, with recommendations from the task force expected in the months to follow.

Human Services division split:

The County Board this summer approved the separation of the former Division of Aging, Disability and Behavioral Health Services into two units, with one focusing specifically on Behavioral Health.

With an aging population and a growing need for behavioral health services, this refocuses county Human Services to even better meet the needs of the community.

I thank the County Board for its support of this effort and the directors I was pleased to appoint to lead both divisions: Kari Foss in Behavioral Health Services and Heather Vanoss in Aging and Disability Services.

Public Safety/Human Services collaboration:

The county budget adopted for 2025 includes a new embedded social worker position — a Division of Behavioral Health Services employee who will work in concert with the Sheriff’s Department.

This person will help connect people with resources in their greatest times of need, allowing deputies to more quickly clear the scene on behavioral health-related calls.

As with the Human Services division split, the County Board’s strong support played a crucial role in getting this done.

New highway director:

Over the summer, we welcomed Greg Boldt as the county’s new Director of Highways and Highway Commissioner.

An experienced engineer with many years of public- and private-sector experience, Greg hit the ground running, ensuring that our current highway maintenance needs continued to be met while planning for significant improvements to come in future years.

Banner year for county golf and parks:

Our county golf courses set a new season record for use, with more than 120,000 rounds played before they shut down for the winter. Kudos to Golf Director Jim Wallace and his team for their continuing efforts to make Brighton Dale Links and Petrifying Springs Golf Course among the premier destinations for golfers in our region!

And Kenosha County Parks, under the leadership of Director Wyatt Moore, hosted more than 300 events over the course of 2024, concluding with our second-annual Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 30 at Petrifying Springs Park. As 2025 approaches, we look forward to further growth in the programming, partnerships and public participation that make our parks great places to be!

An Emmy Award of our own:

A docuseries video about the Kenosha Comets and the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League — produced in a partnership between Kenosha County and Uniquely Wisconsin — took home a Chicago/Midwest Regional Emmy Award in November.

A terrific team collaborated on this award-winning video, but, of course, it couldn’t have been possible without the ladies of the AAGPBL — true trailblazers whose legacy lives on today!

I encourage people to check out this and two other Uniquely Wisconsin videos that were produced locally at www.kenoshacounty.org/UniquelyWisconsin.

As 2025 begins, I look forward to another busy, successful year in Kenosha County, the Gateway to Wisconsin!

Read more at KenoshaCounty.org.