BUSINESS WINNER - A multi-business hub to be called "Studio Row" planned by Jakob Lerhke, pictured with his family in front of his business site, was selected to receive the Janesville Economic Development Authority's $20,000 "New Business Challenge" grant for 2026. Along with the grant, he will receive 250 business cards. Photo by Katelynne Kratz
Jakob Lehrke, “Studio Row” win Janesville Business Challenge
Thu, 08/06/2026 - 11:00am
Thanks to the Janesville Economic Development Authority, (EDA) the Janesville Business Challenge for 2026 has been completed. The winner of the $20,000 business grant was announced during the July 8 Janesville city council meeting: Jakob Lehrke, who is planning a multi-business retail hub “Studio Row” soon to be located at 701 First Street East in Janesville, where the Casey’s convenience store once stood.
There were three phases to the contest. For the final phase applicants pitched their ideas to the judges late in May. Results were forwarded to the Janesville city council and the winner announced during the regular July meeting. Along with the grant, which Lehrke says he will use to make improvements to the property on East Main, he will also receive 250 business cards from Ginger P. Designs.
Katelynne Kratz has been the EDA director in Janesville since January of this year. Before joining the Janesville city staff, Kratz had worked in an advisory capacity with the EDA since March of 2025. Kratz said, “This has been tried with success in a few of the smaller towns scattered throughout Minnesota. Over the last few years, it has brought in at least eight different businesses, and not all of those were winners of the contest. Some of them had gotten so far in the preparation of their business plans that when the contest was over, they just decided to go ahead with their plans anyway. Either way it’s a win/win.”
Also in the contest were the Janesville Independent newspaper, A Bridal Boutique, an Indoor Play Place, and a dog grooming service. Continued Kratz, “I think it went great. We had a good variety of businesses, which gave the judges a lot to work with, and the contestants were all very qualified.” Kratz said there are no more business challenges on the way, “But we do have the Storefront Enhancement Program; we have one of those each year, it all comes from EDA funding.” She added that all four of the storefront contest applicants were approved this year.
This contest was sponsored by the Janesville Economic Development Authority, Waseca County and Ginger P. Designs.