Focus on Calumet Newsletter

Focus on Calumet

A periodic update on economic development opportunities in Calumet County

and the region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.

Monday, November 26, 2018

2018 Northeast Wisconsin Benefit Survey Results

In August and September, the Fox Cities Chamber conducted the Northeast WI regional wage and benefits survey, and the results of that survey have been compiled and released by the Fox Cities Regional Partnership. Calumet County had the highest number of responses from within the region at 36 replies. Because respondents are anonymous, there is no way of knowing who responded, but thanks to the Calumet County businesses that took the time to reply. Those who responded to the survey can review Benefit Survey Results here .

Survey participants are rewarded with a free report of the survey. Non-participants have the option of purchasing reports for multiple Northeast Wisconsin, county-based geographies for $125 b y clicking here . $25 from each survey purchased will be distributed directly to Fox Cities Childcare Resource and Referral to advance implementation and promotion of family friendly policies in the workplace.

Top Communities Attracting and Developing Talent

EMSI, Cara Christopher: Workforce issues are the highest recurring pain point for businesses in a period of sub-4% unemployment. When it comes to talent, everyone is pulling from the same pool, and competition is increasing. In the third annual Talent Attraction Scorecard, we explore how well small and large counties are attracting and developing skilled workers. Counties are ranked using Emsi’s Talent Attraction Index, which is based on drawing new residents, growing jobs and skilled workers, attracting young talent, and increasing educational attainment.

Download the scorecard

Explore which communities are leading the pack, and see which rankings have improved or declined over the last three years. How does your county stack up?

This example from the scorecard shows small counties in the Midwest. Red indicates loss of talent; blue shows a gain.

Note: Calumet County and most other counties in the state, especially the small counties, are going backwards in the talent attraction field. We have our work cut out for us!

Benefits and Bonuses aren't Making Up for Slow Wage Growth

CNBC, 11/8/18, Annie Nova : Wages are growing slowly, and some have said that's because companies are dolling out bonuses and benefits instead of increasing paychecks. But retirement, health insurance, and other benefits have remained flat over the last few years. The fact that paychecks have been slow to increase amid the robust economic recovery and record-high corporate profits has left some workers frustrated.

Recently, a possible theory has emerged: instead of raising wages, companies are giving out bonuses and adding benefits. Don't get your hopes up, experts say.

"I'm not aware of any evidence that shows that bonuses as a general matter are increasing or that they're a substitute for wages," said Seth Harris, a deputy labor secretary under former President Barack Obama.

"Wage growth is too slow," said Lawrence Mishel, an economist at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. "It's not that they're hiding it in benefits."

Just offering food for thought…no evidence that this is the case in Calumet County.

How to Prepare for the Unthinkable

Associated Press – Strictly Small Business : The recent attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh — and other mass shootings like it — may prompt business owners to wonder what they would do if confronted with a similar situation. And what they can do to prepare.

Here are some tips to prompt further planning:

Government agencies have web pages with instructions and videos, among them Homeland Security's 'Ready' page and OSHA.
In-person training sessions that include role-playing can have a positive lasting impact. Hire a security consultant or talk with local law enforcement for ideas.
There is no way to prepare for every situation, but a plan can help people know generally what to do — and how to avoid common mistakes, says Rob Shuster, a vice president at the security consultancy AFIMAC Global.

Local Business Updates

High Cliff Owners Bringing It All Together

By Judy Dixon Hebbe, For the Times-Villager

What makes two men, who are passionate about golf and own a golf course that has been named best in the Fox Valley for five years in a row, purchase a restaurant whose previous owner went bankrupt?

“We thought if it was run differently, it would do well,” said Dan Ripple, who not only owns High Cliff Golf Course with Jeff Luniak, but, with his partner, is now remodeling and changing the original High Cliff Supper Club.

The pair purchased the golf course in March 2013 and now host leagues on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week. They also run a youth program on Tuesdays and Thursdays for different age groups. At a recent youth tournament they sponsored, they invited youth players from Butte des Morts, North Shore, and Ridgeway golf clubs to compete. The High Cliff foursomes beat the competition.

With the purchase of the restaurant in February, the partners have upgraded and renovated the kitchen, remodeled the building into two ballrooms, a pro-shop, and The Pub, which has its own kitchen that serves a sandwich, wraps, hamburger, and pizza menu for golfers and visitors. Fish fries are also offered on Friday.

Upcoming Events

Need Help Writing Your Business Plan?

Attend the Entrepreneurial Training Program

Whether your business is growing or brand-new, writing a business plan is critical to building a profitable venture, especially to attract financing from lenders or investors. The Small Business Development Center at UW-Green Bay is sponsoring the Entrepreneurial Training Program of eight efficient sessions to help you develop a plan for a thriving, profitable business. In this program, you will learn to identify customers, determine their needs, and analyze that information into a feasible plan for starting or growing your business.

Organize and better manage your business.
Identify Opportunities and market your business.
Understand and get your business financials in order.
Get Funding for your business.
Write a detailed, comprehensive business plan.
Network with other entrepreneurs.
Develop a network with small business support services.

Outagamie County

Dates: Tuesdays, February 5 to March 26, 2019 | Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Location: Concordia University, 4351 W. College Avenue, Room 100, Appleton

Brown County

Dates: Wednesdays, February 27 to April 17, 2019 | Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Location: Advance Business & Manufacturing Center, 2701 Larsen Road, Green Bay

Sheboygan/Calumet Counties

Dates: Mondays, April 1 to May 20, 2019 | Time 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Location: UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, One University Drive, Sheboygan

Cost of the Program:

Your cost is only $250 (includes book and all material) IF you complete an accepted business plan on or before the one month date after the course end. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) provides the remaining $750 in tuition assistance grant. That's $1,000 worth of business training for $250! Applications are available by calling (920) 496-2117. You must register both online as well as apply for the grant to be fully registered for this course.

Click here to register or e-mail sbdc@uwgb.edu .

Click here to apply for the $750 grant .

Free Small Business Counseling Available

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 December 18.

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