Monday, June 11, 2018
Focus on Calumet
A periodic update on economic development opportunities in Calumet County and the region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.
Wisconsin Works to Improve Internet Speed; Currently Slower than Neighboring States
While the average internet speed across the country has grown exponentially in the last few years, coming in at around 18.7 megabits per second according to "Akamai's State of the Internet: Q1 2017 Report," there are still large disparities between what many states have come to expect from their connectivity.
 
Wisconsin's average 15.0 Mbps is the 8th slowest average in the U.S., less than Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, and Indiana, and only slightly ahead of Louisiana. 
The good news is that the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is offering $7M in Broadband Expansion Grants to eligible public-private partnerships to help improve broadband service throughout Wisconsin. Applications are due July 16.
New Businesses in Calumet County
Grand Opening Held in New Holstein
Phillip Kubichka did not set out to have a career as a financial advisor, but the financial advisor of the new Edward Jones office in New Holstein said he is enjoying the direction his new career is taking him. Along with assistant and 18-year Edward Jones employee Yvonne Lisowe, Kubichka’s Edward Jones office officially opened in Dr. Brad Baus’s professional building at 1836 Wisconsin Ave. (STH 32/57) just before Easter.
Phil Kubichka stands next to the sign for his Edward Jones office which is in the same building as Dr. Brad Baus.
Terra Verde Open for Business in Brillion
Terra Verde coffee house opened its doors at 418 W. Ryan Street in Brillion in early May. The business is located behind Bakkheia, and is the second coffee house and third local business operated by Marco and Melissa Sosa. The Sosas also operate Terra Verde and Scoop’s Ice Cream in Chilton.
CEDS Survey input will Shape Economic Development Priorities
East Central WI Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) is updating our region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The online survey , accepting input until June 20, will assist in creating an economic development roadmap for our region. The CEDS is a five-year planning document required by the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) to continue as an Economic Development District (EDD). In addition, it is a tool to help us capitalize on our strengths and work to overcome weaknesses, creating a more viable and prosperous region. It also presents opportunities to request grants to assist with infrastructure, brownfields, and other economic development projects from EDA and other federal agencies. Newsletter readers in the East Central WI RPC service area are encouraged to complet e the survey to help ECWRPC understand what is most important to local residents, leaders, and business owners.   
Small Community Forums Scheduled for August and September
Community, business, and civic leaders; elected officials; and community redevelopment practitioners in communities of under 2,500 people are encouraged to attend one of four upcoming Small Community Forums. The forums are scheduled to take place in August and September in four rural Wisconsin communities, with the closest one to Calumet County being held in Egg Harbor on August 9. The Forums are sponsored by Wisconsin Rural Partners, in partnership with UW-Extension, Wisconsin Downtown Action Council, Wisconsin Economic Development Council, and USDA Rural Development. They bring together people working in small communities to discuss best practices, build networks, and generate ideas for improving their communities.
Wisconsin Supply Chain Marketplace Keeps Getting Bigger, Better
The Wisconsin Supply Chain Marketplace has been updated with new categories, improved searching speed, and new profile entry/editing dashboard. In addition, requests for proposals for the FoxConn project are being posted regularly. Wisconsin companies are reminded to register in the Marketplace to receive relevant updates and assure their eligibility to bid on FoxConn projects. To edit or add a company profile – go to  www.wisupplychainmarketplace.com.
Available Property: Southpoint Commerce Park in Appleton
Southpoint Commerce Park is located on the southeast side of Appleton, northwest Calumet County, in one of the fastest growing areas of the Fox Cities along the Calumet Street/County KK and Hwy 441 corridor. Southpoint offers easy highway access along with such amenities as restaurants, shopping and housing. A regional stormwater management system, concrete streets, and utility infrastructure are installed and included in the purchase price. In addition, recent wetland delineations have been completed for all parts of the park which provides an additional level of assurance as to the usability of a site for the end user .  Lots in the mixed-use business park vary in size from 1.5 to 30+ acres and range in price from $40,000 to $45,000 per acre.  
Correction
Our May 28 e-newsletter article that featured Hilde’s Deli and Bakery, Chilton, indicated the business opened in 2012. In fact, it opened in 2011, 7 years ago.  

Hilde and Dennis Bennin, owners of Hilde’s Deli and Bakery , pose with a framed copy of an article that appeared in the Appleton Post Crescent when their business opened 7 years ago.
Free Business Counseling Offered
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. 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, contact Mary Kohrell using the information provided below. The next sessions will be held on Wednesday, June 20, and Tuesday, July 17.
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