New North wins $425K grant to recruit military talent

New North Inc. secured a $425,000 Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation grant to expand its Hires Heroes program and draw transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses to Northeast and North Central Wisconsin. The two-year effort aims to relocate 25 individuals or households with support from Semper Forward and local employers.

Why it matters: - The grant expands a talent pipeline at a time when more than 200,000 service members leave the military each year. - The program is designed to help Wisconsin employers fill jobs with candidates who already bring training, discipline and leadership experience. - The relocation incentive can help military families put down roots in communities across Northeast and North Central Wisconsin.

What happened: - New North Inc. received $425,000 through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Talent Recruitment Grant program. - The money will expand New North Hires Heroes, which connects transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses with jobs and communities in Wisconsin. - The initiative is part of New Mission. New North. - The grant announcement was made in Green Bay on Oct. 6, 2026.

The details: - Eligible participants can receive a $5,000 relocation incentive after moving to one of eight counties: Shawano, Oconto, Brown, Outagamie, Waupaca, Menominee, Langlade or Marathon. - The incentive is subject to grant requirements and approval. - The grant goal is to attract 25 individuals or households over two years. - The expansion is being done with Central Command, Centergy’s military talent attraction and relocation effort. - Semper Forward is delivering the program with New North. - Semper Forward handles national outreach, screening, career coaching, relocation readiness and employer introductions. - A dedicated website and proprietary app let service members explore options based on the factors most important to them. - After initial screening by Semper Forward, applicants receive the New North grant application. - Roughly 100 military families have already returned or moved to Northeast Wisconsin through New North Hires Heroes since the program launched in November 2020. - New North says employers in the region can contact Rebecca Deschane, vice president of talent development, at Rebecca.Deschane@thenewnorth.com to get involved. - New North Inc. is a 501(c)(3) regional economic development corporation serving the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin.

Between the lines: - The grant is a bet that military relocation can help ease hiring pressure in a region competing for workers. - Semper Forward’s role suggests New North wants a more structured recruitment funnel, not just a marketing campaign. - The focus on counties across both Northeast and North Central Wisconsin points to an effort to spread talent beyond the core Green Bay area. - The mention of an untapped talent pipeline signals that New North sees military transition as a long-term workforce source, not a one-time recruitment push.

What's next: - New North and Semper Forward will continue outreach to transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses. - The program will move forward for the two-year grant period with the goal of landing 25 relocations. - Employers interested in participating are expected to engage through New North’s talent development team. - The broader WEDC grant program will continue supporting out-of-state talent attraction to Wisconsin.

The bottom line: - New North is using state funding and a veteran-focused recruitment partner to turn military transitions into long-term workforce and population gains for Wisconsin.