Focus on Calumet
A bi-weekly update on economic development opportunities in Calumet County
and the region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.
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89% of Small Manufacturers Can't Fill Job Openings
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Industry Week, by
IW Staff
,
May 31, 2019
An overwhelming majority (98.6%) of American manufacturing companies are small businesses, and 75.3% of those businesses have fewer than 20 employees, according to new data released on May 23 by SCORE, mentors to America's small businesses.
Last year, small manufacturing businesses generated 11.6% of the U.S. economic output and employed 8.5% of the U.S. workforce, but 89% of manufacturers report that they cannot fill all job openings. The reasons given for not filling the positions were:
- Shifting skill sets due to advancing technologies;
- Misperceptions of manufacturing jobs;
- Retirement of baby boomers.
"Manufacturing businesses drive the U.S. economy," said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. "They might be factories or bakeries, and they might utilize machine power or hand-make their products, but what they have in common is that the vast majority of manufacturers are small business owners."
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Note: Calumet County’s deployment of the Inspire career platform in conjunction with our local schools and CESA can help stem this employment gap for local businesses that choose to participate. If your business is ready to get onboard, use the info at the end of this newsletter to contact us.
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NEWMA Offers Useful Resources for Manufacturers
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Workforce development and Industry 4.0 were the topics discussed at the June quarterly meeting of NEWMA, the Northeast WI Manufacturing Alliance. The meeting was held in Manitowoc with over 200 representatives from local manufacturing companies and service partners in attendance.
Attendees heard an update on Inspire New North and local Inspire programs. Inspire Sheboygan County and several Sheboygan County manufacturers reported their successes with hiring graduating high school students who had engaged with their businesses through Youth Apprenticeships or other hands-on programs during high school.
Attendees also heard a summary of the
NEWMA 2019 Needs, Skills, and Talent Survey
conducted of northeast WI manufacturers by the St. Norbert Strategic Research Institute. The survey focused on company operations, Industry 4.0 future preparedness, and educational pathways necessary to develop future employees. Key takeaways from the survey:
- There is general economic optimism, but many companies do not have an implementation plan for Industry 4.0.
- Technologies most likely to have an immediate or near future impact on operations include Process Monitoring, Connectivity Technologies, Mobile Friendly User Interfaces, Predictive Modeling Systems, and Robotic Vision Systems.
- Curriculum and training programs that develop process engineers and data analysts are in high demand.
- Future Industry 4.0 investment diverges by current level of investment; current investment in Industry 4.0 technologies is associated with increasing investment in the near future. Companies that have not or have only partially invested in Industry 4.0 technologies more frequently report being unsure if they will invest in most Industry 4.0 technologies in the near future.
Local manufacturers are encouraged to learn more about joining NEWMA and to participate in quarterly meetings to take full advantage of NEWMA’s resources. Learn more at
http://newmfgalliance.org/.
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As the Venture Capital Game Gets Bigger, the Midwest Keeps Missing Out
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Those working to accelerate economic growth in the Heartland must face some stark realities. The Great Lakes region continues to export wealth to coastal economies, even as investment leaders try to
equalize growth
between the coasts and the Heartland. The region sees only a tiny fraction of venture capital (VC) deals, despite producing one quarter to one third of the nation’s research and development, new patents, and top talent. Great Lakes VC funds are currently seen as too small or too unknown for investors—at a time when VC is funding fewer firms with bigger exits.
Given all of that, here’s an approach policymakers and investors could try to stem the export of capital from the region: A regional venture capital fund-of-funds. A
recent analysis
sponsored by the Brookings Institution and the Chicago Council of Global Affairs, and conducted by a team of University of Michigan Executive MBA candidates, suggested such a remedy.
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Menasha Opens Paper Trail Connection
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Brian Tungate, Menasha Director of Parks and Recreation
With the snip of a giant pair of scissors, the Province Terrace Trail is officially open! The trail extension connects the
City of Menasha's
east and west sides and allows safe access in a high traffic area to the rest of the Fox Cities Paper Trail.
The trail extension closes an unsafe gap in the
Paper Trail
and provides access to city amenities with a new trail segment heading west from the corner of U.S. Highways 10 and 114 in Menasha up to Nature’s Way and on to the Fox Cities Friendship-Trestle Trail and the Loop the Little Lake Trail.
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Note: This trail connection is located in Calumet County. Congratulations to Menasha on completing this important community amenity that gives residents and visitors safe access to more of the Fox Cities!
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Tri-City Nights Off to a Great Start
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Tri-City Nights kicked off the night of June 7 in the parking lot at the former Gruett’s Implement dealership in New Holstein. The event is being held weekly on Friday evenings from 4:00 to 9:00 pm through the end of September. It’s a family-focused, alcohol-free event that features local musicians, youth activities, and food trucks featuring unique and tasty offerings.
Several hundred people attended the event during the first few weeks. Event organizers are very pleased with the turnout and expect it to continue growing. Food truck vendors include Terra Verde Coffee, Scoops Ice Cream, Pura Vida Street Kitchen, and Flecks Curbside Grill. Bands include a mix of Class Rock, Top 40, Country, and more. There are also a variety of local vendors selling their wares, and a variety of changing kids activities. Local businesses and organizations are able to sponsor one or more week’s events and put their own spin on the evening.
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Photo credit: Mark Sherry, Tri-County News
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Photo Credit: Allison Shaw, Tri-City Nights
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Darboy Club Sunk by Competition, Says Owner
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The Darboy Club couldn’t survive financially without two or three weddings a week. And it wasn't getting them.
The Darboy Club, a local landmark and banquet institution since 1962, fell on hard times because of competition from other newer halls in the Fox Cities, said co-owner Mark Tatro.
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(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
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“The area is saturated with banquet halls,” he said.
The Darboy Club, as first reported Tuesday morning, will close June 30. The facility is at N9695 County N in Harrison. "We don’t have enough business to stay open," Tatro said.
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Note: It’s always difficult when long-time landmarks like The Darboy Club close. However, this is a very high traffic intersection and a new user will likely emerge quickly.
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The Buzz: Joe's Texas BBQ Opens Second Location in Sherwood
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Joe’s Texas BBQ opened June 21 at N378 Military Road in Sherwood. It’s the second location for Joe’s, which has a full dine-in restaurant at 2052 Holmgren Way in Ashwaubenon, near Lambeau Field. In Sherwood, the smaller restaurant has six tables and carry out. It’s the yellow building next to Frogg’s Ice Cream.
Joe’s Texas BBQ founder Joe Lopez, now retired, is originally from Waco, Texas. His Texas-style barbecue recipes include pulled pork, ribs, and smoked brisket with a dry rub and several sauce options. Sides are potato salad, coleslaw, and beans.
The company is now owned by Jaimes Barnes. “He saw Sherwood as an opportunity. He loves the area,” said Jeremy Marmes, Ashwaubenon’s manager who oversees the company
.
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Development Agreement Fundamentals Webinar
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June 25, 1:30 pm
– Wisconsin Economic Development Academy webinar: Development Agreement Fundamentals. The webinar will provide a basic framework and understanding of development agreements, including what a development agreement is and when it is used, essential elements, best practices, and community perspectives. Instructors are, Charlie Walker, MPA, CEcD, President and CEO, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, and Katherine C. Hinkle, Associate Attorney, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP.
Registration
is now open.
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Explore Starting a Business
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The complimentary “Explore Starting a Business” session provides a look inside at what it takes to launch a startup and small business. Explore key factors in starting and growing a business. Begin to determine if you have a feasible idea, learn about critical questions to consider, and additional entrepreneurship training opportunities. Whether you are looking to turn your side hustle into a full-time gig, grow your small business, or scale a startup, this session will help you understand your next steps. Get more details and register
here
.
The closest session is on July 10 at 5:30 pm at the Fox Valley Technical College Venture Center in Appleton.
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Free Small Business Counseling Available
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Once a month, a counselor with the Green Bay Small Business Development Center meets with entrepreneurs and existing business owners at the Calumet County Courthouse in Chilton; he is also available to meet with Calumet County entrepreneurs and businesses on a periodic basis at other locations in the county or his office as schedules permit. These free, individual business counseling sessions are held to help answer questions and put businesses and entrepreneurs in a better position to make the best decisions for themselves and their businesses.
To schedule an appointment with the business counselor, contac
t
Mary Kohrell
using the information provided below. The next regularly scheduled session will be held on Tuesday, July 16.
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Calumet County Community Economic Development contact information:
Mary Kohrell,
Community Economic Development Director
Connie Leonhard
, Program Assistant
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