TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez visited Merrill last Wednesday, July 24, 2024, and toured two Merrill factories and a car dealership during her late morning visit.
Upon arrival at Thorogood/Weinbrenner Shoe Company’s Genesee Street plant, the Lt. Governor met with members of the Chamber of Commerce, who helped coordinate her trip to Merrill and itinerary, as well as Chamber ambassadors, City of Merrill Mayor Steve Haas, and local media representatives. The group accompanied Rodriguez on all her stops.
Weinbrenner President and CEO Jeff Burns presented a short slideshow to give Rodriguez an overview of Weinbrenner’s rich history in the Merrill community, the company becoming employee owned, and its sizeable investment in the Merrill plants, before managers and staff joined in to take her on a tour of the facility.
The second stop on the Lt. Governor’s agenda was at the Ohio Street location of Sierra Pacific Windows in Merrill where Rodriguez learned more about the company, its policy of true vertical integration, and its expansion and investment in Merrill. All the attendees were also given a tour of the Ohio Street plant by Plant Manager Brian Ball.
Finally, the group went across town to Brickners Park City on Merrill’s east side where Rodriguez met with Jim Brickner, Owner of the dealership. He spoke about the new electronic vehicle charging station installation and the hurdles he had to overcome to get it operational. He also gave the Lt. Governor a tour of the facility.
At all three locations, Rodriguez asked how state government could assist the business community and heard the same refrain about the need for more housing, child care, and employees. Rodriguez said she hears the same concerns at nearly all of her stops throughout the state.
Brickner told Rodriguez the dealership works with the high school’s Youth Apprenticeship program and grows most of their employees from within.
