The City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) visit with leadership from First Citizens State Bank’s Main Office to discuss the bank’s continued role in supporting local economic growth and community development.

The visit was conducted by Mason Becker, Community Development Director for the City of Whitewater, and Karin Silvius, Executive Director of the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce. They met with Jim Caldwell, Chairman of the Board, and Darcy Rallo, Chief Human Resources Officer for First Citizens State Bank.

With a history dating back to 1863 , First Citizens State Bank has maintained a longstanding presence in Whitewater and remains one of the community’s key financial institutions. Over the years, the bank has supported local businesses, homeowners, nonprofit organizations, and economic development initiatives throughout the region.

During the discussion, participants reviewed current economic conditions, workforce and staffing challenges facing employers, opportunities to encourage continued business growth in Whitewater, and the importance of ongoing collaboration among local businesses, educational institutions, municipal leaders, and community organizations.

“First Citizens State Bank has been an important community partner in Whitewater for generations,” said Mason Becker, Community Development Director. “Conversations like these are critical to understanding the needs of our employers and identifying ways we can continue strengthening Whitewater’s business environment and workforce pipeline.”

Karin Silvius emphasized the value of maintaining strong communication between the business community and local leadership.

“Our BRE visits are an important tool for relationship building and problem -solving,” said Silvius. “First Citizens State Bank has a deep commitment to Whitewater, and we appreciate their willingness to share insight on the opportunities and challenges facing employers today.”

Jim Caldwell highlighted the bank’s long -term investment in the community and the importance of collaborative partnerships.

“Whitewater has always been a strong and resilient community,” said Caldwell. “We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside the City and the Chamber to support local businesses, attract talent, and help ensure continued economic vitality. It’s critically important that we all keep working together to move Whitewater forward.”

Darcy Rallo noted that workforce development remains a key topic for employers across industries.

“Like many organizations, we continue to focus on attracting and retaining talented employees,” said Rallo. “It’s encouraging to have proactive discussions with community partners about how we can collectively support workforce development and create opportunities for future growth.”

The City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce regularly conduct BRE visits with local employers as part of ongoing efforts to support business retention, expansion, and economic development throughout the community.

For further information on the BRE Program, contact:
City of Whitewater Community Development Department
Attn: Mason Becker, Community Development Director
312 W. Whitewater Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: (262) 473 -0148
Email: mbecker@whitewater-wi.gov
Website: www.whitewater-wi.gov