Mayor Randy Knaack Wants Everyone to Love Menomonie

Menomonie Mayor Randy Knaack says he is a strong believer in giving back. “It’s not about the title; it’s about community service,” he said.

When he was elected mayor in 2010, he imagined that he would be doing a lot of administrative work. “Lowell Prange, the City Administrator at the time, told me, ‘We don’t need you here in the office; we need you out there talking to people.”

“I also received some great advice from former Mayor Chuck Stokke. He said to ask folks what their opinions and thoughts were first, and then offer my perspective.”

Along with being the mayor of Menomonie, Knaack also drives a 4K school bus, and runs an advertising business with his wife. “I just love driving the bus; those kids are so much fun,” he said.

In the past sixteen years, Menomonie has seen increased recreational opportunities for individuals and families. “My number one goal is to make Menomonie a family-friendly community. The more fun things we have for families to do, the more fun for everyone,” he said. New bike trails, such as the extension of Junction Trail over the Red Cedar River to Menomin Park is one example. Another is the wintertime transition of Wolske Bay into a fun place for families to ice skate and enjoy bonfires and camaraderie.

“I’d like to put electric bikes downtown for folks to rent, as well as surrey bikes. Families could use them in town, or on the bike trails,” said Knaack. His future plans includes a community ice shack with pre-drilled holes to introduce kids to the joy of ice-fishing. He’d also like to offer cross-country skis that folks can check-out, and more pickle ball courts.

Along with recreational opportunities, business growth and affordable housing are his top concerns, he said. “I’m really proud of our ‘Home Sweet Menomonie‘ program that helps families purchase a home within city limits.” Twenty-four area businesses and agencies partner with the City of Menomonie to fund a revolving $10,000 home loan program. City Administrator Eric Atkinson says, “We have given 75 loans, and some have already been paid off.”

Mayor Knaack says, “My job is to promote Menomonie, and to get other folks around the state to consider moving their business to our industrial park. We’ve had continued growth in that area.”

Another project Mayor Knaack said he is proud of is Project Hope. “When I became mayor, I met with the chief of police and I told him if he could figure out a way to curb the problems of drug addiction in our community, I’d make every effort to give him everything he needs.” The City Council voted to provided some initial funding and a special youth response program was started in the schools. Additional funding grants of almost $600,000 from the State of Wisconsin provided funds to expand the program into the community.

Project Hope employs evidence-based strategies to provide people with treatment and to reduce the stigma of addiction. Eric Atkinson, the former Chief of Police, said, “Project Hope was part of the mayor’s vision to truly help families struggling with the many facets of drug addiction, and bring an end to the cycle of drugs and violence.”

Mayor Knaack added that both he and Chief Eric Atkinson, (now City Administrator), have traveled around the country to share the success of Project Hope, and encourage other communities to adopt similar programs.

“I’m proud of the many ways that Menomonie has gotten more inviting and welcoming. From the four “Welcome to Menomonie” signs to the growth in the Industrial Park, Menomonie lives up to its motto of Traditional yet Progressive,” said Knaack.

Mayor Knaack said that he hadn’t yet decided if he’ll run for office again in 2026. “I initially ran on cleaning-up the lake. Being mayor has been a lot of fun. I want to see Project Hope, the Menomonie Lake clean-up project, and business growth continue. So, we’ll see,” he said.

“I’m probably the luckiest mayor in the whole state. We’re right here in the middle of God’s country, with so much to offer. We want folks to say, “We love Menomonie!”

Naomi Cummings is a retired nonprofit director and proud Menomonie resident since 1980.