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Momentum News
A publication by Momentum West
May 2016
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| 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 |
Momentum West has signed a contract with CREC (Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness) and the regional talent initiative outreach is underway. A list has been developed of groups and individuals that we will be targeting to set up interviews with for them. The focus of these interviews is to drill down into the present and future workforce challenges we are facing allowing CREC to develop a series of strategies we can implement throughout the region, with the intentions that these strategies will drive talent development, retention and attraction. The list includes but is not limited to the regions EDC's, the higher education institutions, a selection of business and industry from the region, the WCWRPC, numerous associations, and others. The process will take several months and will lead into the generation and presentation of strategies.
Thanks to all that participated in the transportation forum with Craig Thompson from the Transportation Development Association. We had over 40 attendees. The panel included Craig, Nick Amundson from JAMF, Todd Gilbert from Valley Cartage, Scott Rogers from the EC Chamber/West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, Andy Albarado from the Rusk County EDC and Kent Conklin from Dunn County Transit. On the 19th I was able to be part of a panel at Craig Thompson's regional event at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. Transportation funding is a monster of an issue, and we need a long term plan that includes funding for projects in our region ASAP as it drives growth both in business/industry and talent.
Several representatives from Momentum West attended the IFWW/Ignite WI board meeting. We have applied for our 501c3 and will begin developing programming based on the Ignite WI programming shortly.
We're looking at developing a regional calendar of events and meetings to be used by organizations tied into economic development in our region. Annette is working with the Golden Shovel Agency on this idea.
Please read the committee updates below for more information!
Take care everyone!
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Committee Updates
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Economic Development Committee:
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:
Eric Turner from the Dunn County EDC and I had a productive trip to the Hannover MESSE. There is a tentative visit from a manufacturing firm this fall, as well as some options we are pursuing that could result in positive talent recruitment. We also made numerous connections with peers from regional EDC's in Germany. Possible industry partnerships, expansions and trade could result from this. This trip is definitely worth the effort and we've identified ways to make it more cost effective and also attend additional shows in this region of the States.
We ran into a bit of a setback for the event with the group from the Twin Cities. Thanks for all the hard work everyone put into this. We're hoping the effort will not be for naught and are looking at some more focused, small group excursions across the border.
NWITA (Northern Wisconsin International Trade Association):
The committee has found a source for data on regional FDI and will be reviewing the data, but as mentioned last month, the best course of action for the trade association will be to provide a resource database and team up with the WEDC/DATCP for regular educational forums on trade.
Marketing Committee:
The new marketing brochure is hot off the presses.
Talent Attraction Committee:
In addition to the regional talent initiative, we are going to be getting the talent attraction group (different from the steering committee working on the regional initiative) together to delve into the internship initiative. Expect more soon!
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.
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Student registration discounts available
for Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference
From college graduate students to young people in middle or high school, registration discounts are available to attend the 14th annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference, June 7-8 in Madison.
Students may attend the full conference, which includes two breakfasts, two lunches and an evening reception, for $60. That rate compares to the full conference fee of $249 and is made possible by conference sponsors at all levels. Learn more at:
www.WiTrepsConference.com
Export Strategy Development Opportunities
Nearly 95 percent of consumers are located outside of the United States, creating great potential for Wisconsin businesses in foreign markets. With recently ratified trade agreements, and others being negotiated, this is a great time to consider growing foreign markets.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), in partnership with the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center, FaB Wisconsin, 7 Rivers Alliance, and Madison Region Economic Partnership, is providing a customized export strategy development opportunity for food and agricultural companies. ExporTechâ„¢ is funded in part by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and consists of three intense sessions spaced one month apart with individualized guidance to ensure companies are able to develop a comprehensive export expansion strategy.
'Diligent Dozen' selected to present live June 7 at Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference
Finalists representing diverse tech-based sectors in Wisconsin's startup economy will present live to judges in the
Governor's Business Plan Contest during the 14th annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference in Madison.
The 13 contestants (the total includes one tie) have emerged from three rounds of judging in the contest organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council, which produces the contest in conjunction with its partners and sponsors. The contest began in late January with about 200 entries; about 3,350 entries have been received since the contest began in 2004.
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For the latest Momentum West news, visit us on
facebook!
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Momentum West Investment
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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
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
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Gold Shovel Ready Sites
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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:
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| Upcoming Events |
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June 14, 2016 Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Assoc. Field Day Session 2016
Northwest Region:
Location: Govin's Meats & Berries Farm
N6134 670th Ave
Menomonie, WI 54751
June 19 - 24, 2016 STEM CAMP 2016
What: Week-Long, overnight STEM Camp focusing on rocketry. Guided by UW-Stout STEM faculty, campers will tackle hands-on projects, experiments, and workshops in biology, physics, math, chemistry, computer science, and engineering, including supervised access to UW-Stout's Fab Lab. For complete info, see the
EVENT BROCHURE
Location: UW-Stout Campus
When: Sunday, June 19 - Friday, June 24, 2106
Cost: $375, includes all meals, lodging, instruction materials, tours, camp t-shirt, and camp activities.
Registration: Opens March 1, 2016, space is limited.
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
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| 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.
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