WESTconsin announces expansion to Eau Claire

Menomonie-based WESTconsin Credit Union, which was established 72 years ago, announced late last week that it plans to expand into the Eau Claire market.

As was reported in the July 15, 2011, issue of The Bottom Line, Milwaukee-based LaMacchia Group, LLC, acquired the former Markquart Toyota dealership at 1111 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, on behalf of an unnamed financial institution. The City of Eau Claire Plan Commission last month approved a site plan for a 6,000-square-foot facility to be constructed next to a 12,000-square-foot retail shopping center.

"We have had many requests from members for an Eau Claire office and market research supports this being a great location for us," said WESTconsin Credit Union Chief Executive Officer Greg Lentz, who added that the credit union has entered into an agreement to purchase the land located on the southeast corner of West Clairemont Avenue and Craig Road.

Approval from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and other government agencies has been granted for construction of the facility which is expected to be operational sometime in summer, 2012.

"This will be a full-service WESTconsin Credit Union office, including drive-up bays, a retail members services lobby and other offices," said WESTconsin Marketing Coordinator Tara Bergeson, who added that no estimated value of the project can be released at this time.

WESTconsin Credit Union originally began as Menomonie Farmers Credit Union in 1939. The company presently has offices in Amery, Baldwin, Barron, Hudson, Menomonie, New Richmond, Prescott, River Falls and Spring Valley,WI.

WESTconsin Credit Union membership is open to anyone who lives or works in the Wisconsin counties of Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Trempealeau or Washburn as well as three counties in Minnesota.

Dean Larsen of Acquisition Realty & Development represented the Markquart Family for the land sale. TBL