West Bend approves conditional contract with Make My Move to pursue state relocation grant

The West Bend finance committee on Feb. 16 approved a conditional contract with Make My Move and the West Bend Chamber of Commerce to pursue a WEDC talent attraction grant and run a two‑year relocation incentive program if the grant is awarded.

City Administrator Jesse said the contract “would only take root if we were successful in achieving the grant,” and described the city’s portion as a small contribution to a larger, state‑funded effort. Jesse estimated a city contribution of roughly $5,000 to $10,000 and said the city would use contingency funds if needed.

Scott McCauley, chief executive of Make My Move, told the committee the company operates a national talent‑attraction platform and has helped other municipalities recruit residents. McCauley said the WEDC program has a statewide pool of $5 million and that Make My Move would manage promotion, applicant vetting, and program reporting. “The state will cover 80% of the program,” McCauley told the committee, and the firm said it would provide three‑ and six‑month impact reports back to the city and chamber.

Meeting participants discussed program targets and reporting. Jesse said the contract is conditional on the grant award, expected in late April or May; Scott said Make My Move would begin building West Bend’s program in advance so it could launch immediately if the WEDC funds arrive.

Committee members noted two different figures cited during the presentation: staff described an approximately $370,000 program cost while Jesse referenced a $296,000 grant request. The committee approved the contract by voice vote; the item is contingent on the city receiving the state grant and on final contract terms.

The finance committee approved the motion to accept the conditional contract; the matter will proceed as required by the grant timeline and any subsequent council action.