Great news for one of Appleton’s most beloved cultural landmarks: the Long Cheng MarketPlace has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to fund a major renovation of the facility.
Long Cheng MarketPlace has long served as a vibrant hub for the Hmong community and the broader Fox Valley region, offering a unique mix of cultural goods, foods, and community gathering space. The state grant signals strong confidence in the marketplace’s role as both an economic engine and a cultural anchor for Appleton.
The WEDC award will help finance significant improvements to the MarketPlace, ensuring the beloved destination can continue welcoming shoppers, vendors, and community members for years to come. Renovations of this scale can breathe new life into a facility, improving the experience for everyone who visits while also supporting the small business owners and vendors who call Long Cheng home.
The news comes at an exciting moment for Appleton’s development landscape. Separately, new plans have also emerged for the former Thrivent property, which envision 500 housing units, a shopping area, and even a fire station — pointing to a city that is actively investing in its future and the well-being of its residents.
For the Long Cheng MarketPlace, the WEDC grant represents a meaningful vote of confidence from the state of Wisconsin — and a promising sign that this cherished community institution will continue to thrive and grow in the heart of Appleton.
