Making It in Medford: Is This the Place for Your Business?

Selecting a community in which to start or relocate your business should be a thoughtful undertaking. After all, it’s not just your business that needs to thrive; a successful business is a rather hollow victory if you and your family aren’t happy in your new environment. In fact, if you’re like many others in the country, that may be why you’re considering a move. More and more people are leaving big city life for smaller towns and a more rural feel. But is that good for business?

The short answer is, “yes!” And it’s one of the reasons why Stokhaus Media not only thrives in Medford, Wis., but we’ve dedicated our business to helping other businesses in the region succeed here, as well. From branding to website design to content creation and more, our creative marketing services will help put your business on the map and help you and your family build the life you crave.

Making money count

One of the greatest concerns when considering any move is how much of your income will be taken up by basic necessities, like housing and food. Business owners also have to consider their employees’ basic needs so they can craft an appropriate salary strategy. Your employees need to be able to live, while you can’t offer salaries you can’t afford. Fortunately, 2019 statistics place Medford’s cost of living at 77.3, well below the national average (100). With close to half of the city’s populace renting versus owning, it’s also good to note that the average apartment rent is around $800, with some home rentals being even lower. Many different types of rentals are available in Medford, giving families and single persons plenty of options.

Affordable office space is another perk for business owners who relocate or start a business in a smaller community. Medford is no exception. Whether you are looking to lease or buy your commercial space, you’ll likely find a property that suits your business needs in Medford.

What else does Medford have to offer?

Cost of living is just one facet of quality of life, of course. If you are relocating, some of your employees may worry that moving to a smaller community like Medford means sacrificing culture, or access to plentiful family-friendly activities. While the scenery may be different than that of a larger city, both individuals and families will have plenty of choices to make – and a bonus is that many of them promote good health as well as family togetherness. And, for those occasions when you want a taste of the big city, you will only be about 150 miles from Madison as well as the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Here are some local favorites for year-round fun:

  • Taylor County Historical Society & Museum

  • Huey’s Hideaway Children’s Museum

  • Camp Forest Springs

  • Chequamegon National Forest

  • Pine Line Recreational Trail

  • Taylor County Fair Grounds

  • Black River Golf Club

  • Tee-Hi Golf Course

  • Medford City Parks and City Pool

  • Simek Recreation Center

  • Ice Age Trail

  • Broadway Theatre

… and plenty of good fishing!

Your support system

Opening a business in a new city can be hard – and a tad lonely. That’s why community support is so important, not just from your customers, but others in the business community. To help you adjust to your move, and provide you with both family and business resources, reach out to these organizations in the Medford region:

  • Medford Chamber of Commerce

  • Northwest Regional Planning Commission

  • Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

  • Express Employment Professionals

  • Remedy Intelligent Staffing

  • Nicolet Staffing

Stokhaus Media also consults with Medford business clients to help them strategize during all business phases: from business inception to profitability.

Your local workforce

If you are just starting a business, you’ll want to attract local talent. This is also true if you are relocating a business, as it may not be feasible for all – or any – of your current employees to make the move with you. Medford has two colleges within 50 miles – Northcentral Technical College, and Globe University Wausau – and several within 100 miles:

  • Nicolet Area Technical College

  • University of Wisconsin Stevens Point

  • University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

  • Mid State Technical College

  • Globe University Eau Claire

  • Chippewa Valley Technical College

  • Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College

  • University of Wisconsin Stout

  • Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

  • College of Menominee Nation

The array of both public, private and technical schools bodes well for finding a diverse workforce suited to any type of industry in which you’re doing business.

Business practicalities: Create your checklist

Once you’re convinced of all Medford has to offer, you’ll need to focus on the practicalities of getting your business up and running there. If you already have a business, you’ll need to register your business with the state based on what type of business structure you have and where it was incorporated, if applicable. Also, check Wisconsin and local licensing requirements, such as if you have a hair salon, or are in the food service business.

If you are just starting a new business, the fun has just begun! Before making the final decision on a business name, check to see if it’s already taken by doing an online search on the Secretary of State’s website. Then, go through the proper steps to create your desired structure, such as an LLC, or use an online formation service to do it for you.

Now you’re ready for your logo. Other than your name, this can be the most important step in defining your brand and making your business memorable to your customers and stakeholders. A professional designer can help you walk through how you define your business so that you create a logo that suits your business personality. Or, if money is tight, you can do it yourself with a logo creator online, free for everyone. You can pick the style, color, and icon, and add in whatever text you need in a font that appeals to you. A bonus is that you can play around with several combinations and see instant results.  

Make Medford memories

Finding the right environment for both your business and your family can take time, but it’s time well spent. Medford welcomes both with open arms with an appealing combination of community charm and a business-friendly atmosphere. Once you get your family and your business settled in Medford, you may wonder what took you so long! And remember, for any branding or creative marketing support, remember to look up your new neighbors at Medford’s ownStokhaus Media.

James Stokes