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Momentum News

A publication by Momentum West

 


 

June 2016

 

 

 
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In This Issue
Executive Directors Corner
Committee Updates
News and Notes
Momentum West Investment
Gold Shovel Ready Sites
Upcoming Events
About Momentum West
Contact Us
Applied Technology Center 
2322 Alpine Rd. Suite 7
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: 715-874-4673
Fax: 715-874-4683
E-mail:   info@momentumwest.org 
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Executive Directors Corner
Three days of interviews by two teams of representatives from CREC (Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness) just wrapped up.  Over 75 representatives from area business, industry, workforce, planning, economic development, education, etc. met with CREC's teams.  Discussions focused on existing efforts, current and future workforce challenges, and strategies to address our challenges.  CREC will be back in the region late July for additional conversations, and I invite anyone interested in meeting with them to please let me know and we'll try to get you on the schedule.  As mentioned in prior months, once they have gather sufficient data, they will be providing us with the following:
 
  • Workforce Analysis of the Momentum West ten (10) county region, including the development of a metric-based scorecard to be updated by Momentum West staff annually;
  • Analysis of existing assets and workforce attraction or retention initiatives within the region.
  • Action Plan that outlines talent attraction and retention implementation strategies and specific action activities for the Region.
 
The focus of this project is to position our regional economy in the most competitive and sustainable position over the next five (5) to ten (10) years and beyond to develop, attract and retain talent. 
 
Also of note, we have launched a calendar on the Momentum West website for posting of area EDC's events as well as Momentum West events.  EDC's will be able to self-post upcoming meetings, events, panel presentations, etc. 
 
Please read the committee updates below for more information!
 
Take care everyone!

Steve
  ______________________________________________________
 
Committee Updates

Economic Development Committee:
We're hoping to get everyone together in July or August.  Members from the areas EDO's met with Chandler Poole from Iota Management Advisors, a group that offers financing solutions for municipal projects.    
 
Tradeshow/Outreach Committee:
We've begun the initial planning for small group meetings with Twin Cities developers/brokers etc.  Several day trips appear to be our best approach to connecting with these folks.
 
We are also beginning early planning for another visit from members of the Site Selectors Guild for next June.  The focus this time will be rural property and Gold Shovel verified sites.
 
Thank you Dan Ostermann from BMO Harris for agreeing to chair this committee
 
NWITA (Northern Wisconsin International Trade Association):           
Early planning is underway for a fall event with WEDC.  
 
Marketing Committee:
The committee has begun the process of evaluation of existing efforts and the development of a plan to more aggressively promote the organization and its programs inside and outside the region.  Thanks you Vicki Hoehn from RCU and Maureen Carlson from Hoeft for agreeing to co-chair the committee.  The new marketing brochure is hot off the presses.  
 
Talent Attraction Committee:
This fall the committee will tentatively be reconvening, with an invitation to members of the Regional Talent Initiative Steering committee, to continue the work laid out by CREC.  In addition to delve into an internship idea that will help smaller and mid-sized business and industry determine the need, training requirements and funding for an internship program.  Hopefully we can increase the number of internships within the region and keep more graduates in our region. 
 
With the importance of attracting and retaining talent in the region, please let me know if you are interested in assisting with the launch of the regional initiative or serving on the committee. 

Fundraising Committee:
If you are a present investor, thank you for your support of regional economic development.  If you are not a current investor, please consider an investment in Momentum West as the continuing work of the organization is important to the economic growth of the region.  The impact we can make in the region goes beyond the items mentioned in this and the previous newsletters, but without investments from businesses and industries within the area we are limited to what impact we can make.  An investment in Momentum West is an investment in the overall economy of our region, whether it be time or financially, and we appreciate your support.  

News and Notes  
ALDI Groundbreaking

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 24 for a new ALDI grocery store in New Richmond. Click here to learn more

Backyard Landscaping Ribbon Cutting

A ribbon cutting celebration was held on June 24 for Backyard Paradise Landscaping, which is located on Madison Avenue in the City of New Richmond's Business & Technical Park. Click here to learn more

Goodwill Ribbon Cutting

A ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration were held on June 25 for a new Goodwill retail store, located in the City of New Richmond's Business & Technical Park. Click here to learn more
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Momentum West Investment

Thanks to all who invested in Momentum West! Together we will continue to create a sustainable and innovative economy for our region's citizens.


Business and Industry
24/7 Telcom
Agstar
Associated Bank
AT&T
Badgerland Printing
Baldwin Area Medical Center
Banbury Place
Bauman Associates, LTD
Bauer Built
BMO Harris Bank
Bremer Bank
Cedar Corp
Charter Bank
Citizens Bank - Hudson
Core Products
Dairyland Power Cooperative
Derrick Construction
Durand Builders
Eckberg Lammers
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery
Fairmount Santrol
First American Bank*
First National Bank
First National Community Bank
Great Northern Corp*
Haselwander*
Hoeft Builders
Landmark Company
Manpower
Market and Johnson
Mayo Clinic Health System
Merchants Bank Eau Claire
Northwestern Bank
OEM Fabricators
RDC National
Reality Works
Royal Credit Union
Ruder Ware
Sacred Heart Hospital
Schaeffer Manufacturing
Security Financial Bank
Spectrum Industries
Uline, Inc.
Valley Cartage*
Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci
WestConsin Credit Union
Wipfli, Ulrich, Bertelson, LLP
Wisconsin Business Development
Xcel Energy

Regional EDC
Chippewa County EDC
Dunn County EDC
Eau Claire Area EDC
Polk County EDC
Rusk County EDC

County 
Barron County
Eau Claire County
St. Croix County

Municipal 
Ladysmith Community Industrial Development
West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

Education
Chippewa Valley Technical College
UW- Eau Claire
UW- River Falls
UW- Stout
WITC

Reciprocal
Amery Area Economic Development Corporation
Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce
Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce
Menomonie Chamber of Commerce


*denotes pledge for investment
  
Gold Shovel Ready Sites

The Gold Shovel Ready Site database for developers on www.MomentumWest.org allows you to quickly and easily find sites in our 10-county region of Western Wisconsin that have:

  • Identified property owners and clearly states sales price
  • Zoning in place or planned
  • Maps showing public and private utilities and capacities
  • Information showing transportation networks
  • Identified any known site restrictions that may hinder development (Geological, environmental, easements, etc.)
  • Area statistics and demographic data
The sites listed below are currently verified as Gold Shovel Ready:
Upcoming Events

Export Strategy Opportunities available throughout the year

2016 Export Opportunities in Canada

Toronto, Canada - For specialty and natural products
September 7-8, 2016 - Ontario
Early registration is $400 through May 4, 2016
Registration deadline: June 15, 2016

For more information on 2016 Export Opportunities in Canada, contact Lisa Stout:
Tel: 608-224-5126


*If you would like your upcoming event to be included in the Momentum West newsletter, please send information to steve@momentumwest.org prior to the 15th of each month 

About Momentum West

Momentum West is a Regional Economic Development Organization that serves 10 counties: Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, and St. Croix.

Our mission is to develop partnerships and leverage resources in West Wisconsin to market the region and grow the economy.