West Allis, Wis. – Bremer Bank and Bremer CDE are proud to announce a collaborative $22 million investment into a new, 74,000-square-foot Festival Foods location in West Allis, Wisconsin. In partnership with Wisconsin-based community development entities First-Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise and Impact Seven, Bremer CDE will contribute New Markets Tax Credits allocation to the project. In addition, Bremer Bank will serve as tax credit equity investor and lender.
Generating quality economic and employment opportunities while simultaneously creating greater access to affordable, nutritious food options for the Milwaukee County USDA-certified food desert are Bremer Bank’s primary goals with this investment.
The new grocery store is estimated to serve more than 20,000 customers each year. It will create 70 full-time and 170 part-time jobs for the region. In addition, all employees will have access to 401k savings plans, awards, and premium pay on Sundays and holidays, with full-time employees eligible for health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance and disability insurance. Construction of the store is expected to generate approximately 30 temporary, full-time construction jobs.
Founded in Onalaska, Wisconsin in 1946 as Skogen's IGA, Festival Foods is a Wisconsin family- and employee-owned grocer that is committed to developing its associates, giving back to the communities it serves and providing guests with exceptional service and value. The company, which began operating as Festival Foods in 1990, employs more than 7,500 full- and part-time associates and currently operates 33 full-service supermarkets across the state of Wisconsin.