Frigid winters in Wisconsin don’t pause food production at the Forest County Potawatomi Community’s aquaponics facility. Inside the greenhouse at Bodwéwadmi Ktëgan (Potawatomi Farm), controlled growing conditions support consistent harvests year-round, providing fresh greens and fish regardless of the season.

Forest County Potawatomi Community continues to advance food sovereignty through investments that strengthen local production and distribution. As demand increased, the Tribe partnered with Greenfire to expand its existing aquaponics operation with infrastructure designed for durability, efficiency, and long-term use.

The project included a 3,340 SF greenhouse addition that expanded aquaponic growing capacity at the farm. Greenfire completed site preparation, earthwork excavation, and concrete footings and foundations to support a 30’ x 100’ design-build passive solar greenhouse, designed by Ceres Greenhouse Solutions. The structure was framed with heavy-gauge steel to withstand northern Wisconsin conditions and support year-round operations.

Performance-driven building systems were central to the design. Polycarbonate wall glazing on the south-facing elevation maximizes solar exposure, while a ground-to-air heat transfer system—often described as a climate battery—uses stored heat from the sun and soil to regulate interior temperatures. This system reduces reliance on traditional HVAC while maintaining stable growing conditions throughout the year.

With the expansion complete, the facility now produces fish and greens on a continuous basis for tribal members, local schools, and regional markets. The aquaponics expansion highlights Greenfire’s experience delivering diversified project types, including agricultural and sustainability-focused facilities that support community goals through practical, buildable solutions.

Greenfire participated in activities recognizing Native American Heritage Month, joining colleagues across Potawatomi Ventures in celebrating the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous Nations.

Team members attended the Native American Heritage Month Luncheon hosted by Potawatomi Casino | Hotel inside the 1833 Club. The event featured a meal prepared by Executive Chef Elena Terry, founder of Wild Bearies and a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. The menu highlighted ingredients and dishes connected to regional tribal foodways, with selections such as blue corn crackers, cornbread, wild rice salad, squash soup, bison chuck roast, and Mexican spiced chocolate brownies. Chef Terry shared the origins of each dish and the significance of the ingredients, honoring traditions practiced by relatives and neighboring tribes.

Greenfire also attended a presentation hosted by Potawatomi Ventures featuring intern Autry Johnson. Autry shared a discussion on what it means for the Forest County Potawatomi Community to be Keepers of the Fire. The presentation explored Potawatomi identity, sovereignty, the Theft of Fire, the Three Fires Confederacy, and the role of relational sovereignty in leadership. The session offered an opportunity for employees to learn about the responsibilities and teachings connected to Potawatomi culture.

Within Greenfire, the company acknowledged Tribal members of its staff, including Michael Moe (Forest County Potawatomi Community), Daylanne Mendoza (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin), and Brad Bowman (Stockbridge-Munsee Community). Michael Moe also took time to prepare traditional fry bread for the team to enjoy.

Participation in these activities reflects Greenfire’s continued alignment with Potawatomi Ventures and its commitment to honoring Tribal communities, both within the company and across its partnerships. The month offers time for reflection, learning, and appreciation for the many contributions of Native Nations. As a 100%-Tribally owned construction management firm, Greenfire remains dedicated to supporting events and programs that strengthen understanding and connection throughout the year.

Indigenous Biz Con 2025 brought together Tribal leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs from across the country to share ideas, resources, and strategies that drive Native economic growth. Hosted by Indigenous Business Group at Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee, the annual conference continues to serve as a platform for learning, collaboration, and building partnerships that advance Tribal enterprise.

This year’s theme, “Rising Tides: Building Economies, Empowering Generations,” reflected the growing momentum of Indigenous nations taking the lead in shaping regional economies. Greenfire was proud to once again sponsor and participate alongside Potawatomi Ventures, highlighting both organizations shared mission of strengthening Tribal economic opportunity. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC), Greenfire’s involvement reinforces the company’s purpose to build both physical and economic foundations that benefit Tribal and partner communities alike.

The first night of the conference featured a “Light The Hoan” Bridge lighting ceremony in downtown Milwaukee, honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Stirring words during the lighting ceremony were offered from Rob Pero, Indigenous Business Group co-founder, Brooks Boyd, Chairman, FCPC, and David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive, who was also on hand to present an official proclamation for the day.

The two-day conference included powerful keynote speakers, cultural performances, and tribal artists and vendors. Biz Con brings together Tribal leaders, business representatives, and community members to celebrate the strength and resilience of Indigenous nations through shared economic empowerment.

A key session during the conference featured the panel discussion “Infrastructure Nation: Enterprises Helping Build Sustainable Communities,” moderated by Michael Moe, Business Development Manager at Greenfire and member of the Forest County Potawatomi Community. Panelists Bill Cornelius (Baker Tilly), Matt Kunstman (OESC Group), and Tasha Chevalier (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin) discussed how Tribal enterprises are leading efforts to create regional infrastructure hubs that integrate construction, energy, logistics, and agriculture. The discussion centered on aligning infrastructure development with sovereignty, sustainability, and long-term economic growth through strategic public-private-Tribal partnerships.

For Greenfire, Indigenous Biz Con remains an important space to connect, share knowledge, and collaborate with other Native-owned enterprises dedicated to building a stronger economic future for generations to come.

Members of Team Greenfire recently took part in meaningful moments of reflection and learning that reinforced the company’s purpose and connection to the Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC). Team members wore orange and special bracelets in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools, as well as a special day-long tour of key sites within the Forest County Potawatomi Community. Together, these experiences encouraged awareness of history, culture, and the responsibility that guides Greenfire’s work.

Across offices and job sites, employees joined in honoring the children who attended Indian boarding schools, as well as survivors, families, and communities affected by those institutions. The initiative was led by Marketing and Business Development intern Kenedy Van Zile, who encouraged participation and shared education about the day’s meaning. Wearing orange served as a visible act of remembrance, recognizing the generational trauma caused by forced assimilation and the resilience of Indigenous communities.

A special tour was organized for members of the Greenfire team, giving newer staff the chance to learn more about the Forest County Potawatomi Community and more tenured staff to revisit Greenfire projects from years past and see their lasting impact. The day began at Greenfire’s office on the Wgema Campus in Milwaukee before traveling north to Forest County. The first stop was in Carter at the Forest County Potawatomi Pow Wow Grounds, followed by lunch at Rock & Brews inside the Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel. The group then continued to Crandon to tour the Cultural Center and Museum, the Executive Building, and the Community Center. Each stop on the tour was guided by a FCPC Tribal member or on-site employee, to provide a clearer understanding of the Tribe’s history, operations, and investments in its people. The tour offered a meaningful look at how Greenfire’s work continues to support the Tribe’s growth and community well-being.

Both the National Day of Remembrance initiative and the FCPC tour provided opportunities for reflection on why Greenfire exists. As a company wholly owned by the Forest County Potawatomi Community, Greenfire’s mission extends beyond construction—it is about honoring the past and building opportunity for future generations.

Construction is underway on the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) Adolescent Recovery and Wellness Center in Bowler, Wisconsin. Greenfire has completed site excavation and utility installation and is now pouring footings and foundations.

Greenfire is managing construction through an open-book process that emphasizes transparency, communication, and alignment with GLITC’s priorities. The project team is coordinating with multiple stakeholders to navigate the unique challenges of an inter-tribal project and to ensure compliance with specialized State licensing codes. Weekly coordination meetings, clear documentation, and disciplined preconstruction practices keep scope, cost, and schedule aligned as the project advances.

The new facility will be a one-story, 36-bed residential center designed to support Native American youth ages 13 to 17 who are struggling with substance use disorder and mental health conditions. This facility will feature resident pods with bedrooms and showers, a kitchen and dining area, family and living spaces, and classrooms. Courtyards and daylit common areas are integrated into the design to create environments that support healing and wellness.

The Adolescent Recovery and Wellness Center was developed in response to critical needs identified by GLITC and its twelve member tribes, which include the Forest County Potawatomi Community, Ho-Chunk Nation, Oneida Nation, and others across Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Founded in 1965, GLITC provides services and advocacy in areas such as health, education, aging, and economic development. The Center directly addresses GLITC’s priority focus on behavioral health and the drug crisis, challenges that have been amplified by historical trauma, and the opioid epidemic

With construction underway, Greenfire is proud to support GLITC’s mission by delivering a facility that expands access to culturally relevant treatment and strengthens community health across tribal nations.