West Bend welcomes business interested in filling vacant building

WEST BEND (WITI) -- There's office space for rent in West Bend -- and city officials know just who they want there. Officials actively recruited a company known for concealed carry and self defense.

Business has been booming at Delta Defense. Phones have been ringing off the hook with people looking to be responsibly armed. CEO Tim Schmidt says his company is a service provider and promotes safety. His U.S. Concealed Carry Association is reaching members nationwide.

"We publish a conceal and carry magazine that has 65,000 subscribers. We also publish the conceal and carry report which is a free weekly newsletter that goes to about 650,000 subscribers," said Schmidt.

Since 2004, Schmidt says his business has grown on average about 60-70%. Staff has doubled as well.

"I imagine within the next three years we'll be adding an additional 10-15 employees," said Schmidt.

Ready to leave the small Jackson Business Park and venture to a more unique and prominent location, Schmidt scouted out a former museum on 6th Ave. in West Bend.

"This is something we viewed as an exciting opportunity for West Bend particularly our downtown area with the building becoming vacant," said T.J. Justice, West Bend's Development Director.

Justice says the city got wind of the possible move and welcomed the business.

"We have to be very careful we don't discriminate against businesses or support businesses for that matter," said Justice.

What the city does support, is growth.

"Our involvement was driven purely by the company's investment, job creation and reuse of a property that has been vacated and potentially could have become blight," said Justice.

Justice says there was no formal opposition to this project. In fact, the city and county combined put together a total of $267,000 in public financing and offered other incentives.

Delta Defense says it's thankful for all the support and plans to open in autumn 2013.