Kenzie Williamsen is serving as interim coordinator for Norway's Downtown Development Authority, having more than two years of experience as Iron Mountain's former DDA coordinator. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — A new, but familiar face will fill the role of Norway’s Downtown Development Authority coordinator.

Kenzie Williamsen took over as the DDA interim cordinator in late August, after Gina Zanon resigned in July due to medical reasons.

“We needed to get someone in as quickly as possible as the city has several upcoming events,” Williamsen said. “I offered to step down as a board member to fill in.”

Williamsen had been a member of the Norway DDA Board since January of 2022, and was preparing to re-up for the next three-year term.

The Norway resident comes into the position having been the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority event coordinator from April 2022 until August 2024, at which time she left to help her husband, Chris Menacher, with his business in Norway.

“I love being back doing the things I did in Iron Mountain,” she said. “I’m really excited to be able to be involved in my hometown community.”

Williamsen explained that being hired on an interim basis will give the committee time to review the job description.

“Gina (Zanon) was the first DDA employee — there are things that need to be evaluated and the board didn’t have a lot of time,” she noted.

The original focus for the position was to ensure the city continues to host annual traditions for the community when volunteers step away.

“As an example, one of the city’s largest events throughout the summer is Music in the Park. We don’t want to see that go away when Greg (Hunt) and Carol (Sundstrom) decide that they no longer want that task,” Williamsen said.

Over the past month, she has spent time learning about each of the events, as well as assisting volunteer organizers.

Her first major event will be the annual Leif Erikson Festival that takes place Oct. 11.

It’s so well attended and everyone looks forward to it,” she said. “It has become a tradition for many area residents — we need to make sure it’s here in the future.”

Williamsen said the DDA will open its facade grant applications around mid-October, with a deadline of Dec. 1.

“With my prior knowledge with the programs in Iron Mountain, we are able to remain on the same timeline the board wanted,” she said. “It has gone very smoothly.”

Williamsen has also revamped the application forms to make it easier for business owners to apply. “We want to get them interested — our goal is to make Main Street more attractive,” she added.

They are currently working with Norway Mercantile to have new fall banners displayed on the decorative lamp posts on Main Street. They will have Leif Erikson Festival banners going up first.

“Hopefully you will see some new winter pieces and spring banners as well in 2026,” Williamsen noted.

Following the fall festival, she will turn to the Christmas in Norway event on Dec. 5.

Williamsen is the process of creating a procedure book for each event and program.

“This will benefit whoever is in that position for several years,” she said.

She made special mention of DDA Board members being actively involved with projects.

“Many serve on different committees and volunteer to do many tasks — I think that is why Norway has been successful so far,” Williamsen added.

She and her husband moved to Norway from Appleton, Wis., in 2019. She studied digital marketing and social media and graduated from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College-Marinette in December of 2021. The couple is opening a new shop in the near future in Norway.

Williamsen is involved in the Dickinson Area Community Foundation, The Cure in Iron Mountain and recently joined the Kiwanis Club.

“Now I am able to step in and do the things I love to do in Norway,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting to meet more of the downtown businesses and I’m excited to work with them.”

Williamsen can be contacted by email at dda@norwaymi.gov.

For more information on Norway’s downtown activities, go to norwaymi.com or the Downtown Norway Facebook page.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.