Greetings everyone!

 

Good news!  Momentum West has received confirmation that the WEDC funding requested is available to match the Otto Bremer grant designated to help orchestrate a region talent initiative.  Momentum West proposes to allocate funding to perform critical research and analysis in an effort to establish a common vision and action plan to develop critical talent needed to ensure a competitive economy and workforce in west central Wisconsin.  While our organizations primary mission revolves around promoting western Wisconsin as a place to do business, key stakeholders within the region continue to raise concerns regarding current and pending workforce shortages that will invariably impact the region's ability to continue to be a place of deep economic opportunity.  This challenge encompasses even more than the current skills gap and is further exacerbated by the seismic demographic shift as baby boomers leave the workforce.  Consequently, talent attraction and retention will be a crucial part of maintaining a vibrant regional economy, and a common vision is required to achieve a positive effect.  We look forward to working with our regional partners on this key initiative.

 

Thanks to all that took the time to submit a survey.  Many of the responses indicated that we are making improvements to the value of the organization and its deliverables to the region and stakeholders, but also that we have a long ways to go.  All the input is appreciated, positive as well as the constructive negative as it will help shape the organization as we move forward.

 

The visit with the Canadian Consulates office was a success.  There were over forty people in attendance to listen to Canadian Consul General Dr. Roy Norton's presentation on the importance of trade between Wisconsin and Canada, as well as the panel discussion. 

Panel Discussion Pictured from left to right: Brad Schneider, Dr. Vijay Sasidharan, Derek Luksun, Terri Smith, and Dr. Roy Norton

 

On December 9th we will be hosting representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue who will be having a discussion on business taxation.  Should be an interesting event.  Additional information is included in the events portion of this email.

 

Also, December 16th will be the Be Bold III presentation by Wood Consulting.  As a significant stakeholder in the region's economic and workforce development, you are invited to attend and participate in a briefing session that will examine regional issues and gather input that may be used in advancing significant research that will help turbo-charge economic activities in several vital areas already producing real jobs and wealth in Wisconsin. This briefing session will be one of more than a dozen held across the state.

 

Several members of our region including board members Dick Best, Bob Meyer and myself, are part of the Governor's Council on Workforce Investment.  This group is comprised of folks from across the state that have been charged with addressing workforce issues on a state level.  Many of the recommendations and actions will be rolled out in our region as this effort moves forward.

 

The Stower Industrial Park in Amery has been verified and posted to the site.  The site, as with the others, has been marketed to our list of site selectors, asset managers, developers and brokers.  I had the pleasure of rolling out the Gold Shovel Ready program to the other eight members of the Regional Leadership Council, a group comprised of the nine regional economic development organizations covering the state.  Many of these groups will be following the La Crosse REDO's lead and launching our program in their regions.  Nice job to all involved in this project as it's getting noticed throughout the state.

 

Thanks,

Steve