Focus on Calumet A bi-weekly update on economic development opportunities in Calumet County and the region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Calumet County Featured in September Issue of Insight on Business

What’s Old is New Work Progresses on Transformation of Former Brillion Iron Works Site By Jessica Thiel , Insight on Business Staff Writer

It’s been less than a year since Ariens Co. finalized its purchase of the former Brillion Iron Works site, and already the project has reached some significant milestones. The progress is promising for Mark Olsen, a vice president with Ariens Co. A retired chief financial officer for the company, he stayed on in several capacities, including managing the Brillion Works project. While he and other Ariens leaders are eager to see it come to fruition, they know the project will take 10 to 15 years to complete. “Anything of this size and really transforming a large area like this is going to take time, and that’s OK with us. We’re patient, we’ve been here a long time, and we plan to be here,” Olsen says. The City of Brillion acquired the 142-acre property of the former Brillion Iron Works, which closed in the fall of 2016, and Ariens took out a 99-year lease on it and is actively managing and developing the site. The project is under the purview of CEO and Chairman Dan Ariens and his family rather than the company itself, Olsen says. In addition to rolling out a logo, branding and website for the project, Ariens remodeled and moved into the site’s former farm implement building. It houses the company’s customer care center — called Rapid Care. Read the full article which also includes an overview of the county’s CDBG program transition and the new murals in Chilton and Stockbridge.

WEDC New Secretary

Melissa (Missy) Hughes, a top executive with the dairy cooperative Organic Valley, is the new CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. For the past 15 years, Hughes has worked as general counsel at Organic Valley in La Farge. While there, she helped grow the number of participating farms from 500 to 2,000 and annual sales to more than $1 billion. Gov. Tony Evers named Hughes to replace former CEO Mark Hogan, who retired September 1 and had been appointed to the post by Gov. Scott Walker. “With her background helping small businesses and family farms, coupled with her experience navigating complex governmental, regulatory, trade and business matters, Missy Hughes will be an incredible asset to our team as we work to grow an economy that works for everyone,” Evers said in a statement.

Study Finds Severe Workforce Housing Shortage Across Wisconsin

The Wisconsin REALTORS ® Association (WRA) has released a new study, “Falling Behind,” that shows a severe workforce housing shortage and highlights the need for action to address this growing concern. From a high of more than 30,000 single-family home permits authorized in 2004 to fewer than 12,500 permits authorized in 2017, Wisconsin is on the cusp of not being able to adequately provide housing for today's growing workforce needs, which may exacerbate the workforce shortage problem. The report showcases the primary causes of the workforce housing shortage and the subsequent results that this shortage brings to the state of Wisconsin. Workforce housing is defined as the supply of housing in a community that meets the needs of the workforce in that community. In the released report, housing is considered affordable for renting families that earn up to 60 percent of the area’s median income, and affordable for owning families that earn up to 120 percent of the median income. The report highlights three main causes of the workforce housing shortage including: Not building enough homes to keep up with population and income growth. Construction costs outpacing inflation and incomes. Outdated land use regulations that significantly drive up the cost of housing. These root causes of the workforce housing shortage bring about the following results: Housing costs on the rise. A severe decline in homeownership. A continued decline in overall housing affordability. The WRA’s “Falling Behind” report is available here .

First Steps to Starting a Business Thinking About Starting a Business? Start Here!

The Small Business Development Center offers a free, interactive, online class to help entrepreneurs explore their business idea and assess their entrepreneurial readiness as well as identify strengths and weaknesses as a business owner. This interactive online class includes downloadable worksheets, hands-on exercises, local entrepreneur stories, and additional resources to determine next steps. The best part about the class is that it is available anywhere and anytime, and its free! The “ First Steps ” class helps entrepreneurs answers questions like these: Do you have the right personality, skills, and life situation to start and manage a business? Do you have a realistic business idea? Is your business idea well thought out? Are you financially ready to start a business? What are your next steps?  For more information or to register for first steps, click here .

Newest Tax Increment Finance District (TID) Documents Available

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) posted the annua l TID Certification Reports and Environmental Remediation TID Report to their website. Each report contains details on: 2019 TID current value Certified TID base value 2019 TID increment Reports are available from the DOR database in multiple ways, including by municipality and county, by school district, and also by a separate category for environmental remediation district.

Interesting Notes from the World of Retail

From Retail Leader, Mike Troy, 9/2/19 With nearly 16,000 stores and counting, Dollar General has more points of contact than any other retailer and all the challenges that come with such an expansive footprint. Responsibility for executing the company’s food and consumables-centric merchandising strategy falls to Jeff Owen, a one-time Dollar General store manager elevated recently to the role of COO. His job becomes more challenging this year as Dollar General plans to add 975 new stores (it’s already opened 489) and remodel 1,000 others. Refrigerated and frozen foods account for 8% of Dollar General’s sales, but that figure is headed higher. The company is on track to add 40,000 cooler doors this year while rolling out a self-distribution initiative called DG Fresh. A fourth distribution center comes online this month and by year end DG Fresh will be enabled in 5,000 stores. The company is also piloting click and collect and self-checkout this fall, recently introduced list-building functionality to its mobile app, is increasing the size of its private fleet and is on track to have electronic article surveillance anti-theft systems in all stores by year end.

Dollar Tree closed its acquisition of Family Dollar four years ago, but it wasn’t until a month ago that the companies truly became one, operating out of a single store support center in Chesapeake, Va. The introduction of high price point merchandise at Dollar Tree got underway in the second quarter. The test includes 200 products offered at $2, $3, $4 and $5 at 115 stores with an assortment skewed toward consumables. They are testing a cross-section of high, moderate, and low volume stores, as well as urban, suburban, and rural settings to understand how customers respond in the varying markets.

Community Updates

Chilton, Stockbridge add Historic Murals

By Jessica Thiel of Insight Publications, 9/1/2019  INSIGHT ON BUSINESS   A pair of murals — one completed in Chilton and one underway in Stockbridge — depict and celebrate the communities’ heritage and history. Artist and Chilton native James Barany completed the work of art in his hometown this past summer. It’s on display at 40 W. Main Street. He began work on the Stockbridge mural, at 101 South Military Road, in July and will finish work this fall.

Stockbridge Mural, Photo Courtesy Calumet County Historical Society

Commissioned through the Calumet County Mural Initiative, the project received support from the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region, the Bright Idea Fund, the Chilton Community Foundation, the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Calumet County Historical Society. Barany, who’s also a professor at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, says he wanted to combine art and history, including Calumet County’s strong Native American heritage, and strove to incorporate accuracy and authenticity in the works. Each features photos and events important to the cities’ histories.

Read more

Local Business Updates

 ThedaCare Clinic Opens in Harrison

ThedaCare opened a new FastCare Clinic near Highway KK in the Village of Harrison in early September. The clinic will be located at ThedaCare Physicians-Darboy at W5282 Amy Avenue, Appleton.  “We understand busy families and the importance of having convenient care when you need it,” said Kelli Heindel, MD , medical director leading the FastCare and Walk-in Care clinic initiatives for ThedaCare. “The new FastCare location will allow ThedaCare to provide quality care and help people continue on with their day.”  FastCare clinics are staffed by ThedaCare nurse practitioners and supervised by a medical director. They provide care for common and relatively simple conditions, such as limited immunizations, flu vaccinations, screenings, and some labs, such as pregnancy tests, rapid strep, monospots and urinalysis (for females 12 and older only).

Brillion’s Dollar General Likely to Move

As reported in the August 29 issue of the Brillion News, the Dollar General currently located on Main Street in Brillion will likely be in a new location by the spring of 2020. Pending approval by the City’s Plan Commission, the new Dollar General store would be located along Highway 10 near the McDonald’s in Brillion.

Ariens Transforming Plant 1

Ariens Company is undertaking a majority conversion of its 320,000 sq ft Plant 1 facility, located on Highway 10 in Brillion. They are in the midst of a $30 million transformation of Plant 1 that will include paint system, robotic welders, shipping docks, and lasers. (Thanks to the Brillion News for this information.)

Professional Plating Turns 40

Professional Plating, Brillion, celebrated its 40 th Anniversary in August. The company started with 10 employees and a 10,000 sq ft building in 1979, and has grown to 225 employees and a 210,000 sq ft facility.

Upcoming Events

Business Counseling

September 17 (or when mutually convenient): Small Business Development Center business counseling services offered by Ray York, Sheboygan County EDC and Small Business Development Center Entrepreneurship Specialist. Available to all existing businesses and entrepreneurs monthly. To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 920-946-9379 or email Ray.

Manufacturing First Conference and Expo

KI Convention Center. More information here.

With Northeast Wisconsin an epicenter of manufacturing, Manufacturing First has rapidly become known as one of the state’s premier industry events. Since it began in 2011, Manufacturing First routinely welcomes more than 1,200 attendants and 550+ high school students annually to the KI Center in Green Bay. With the NEW Manufacturing Alliance and First Business Bank, Insight is a co-sponsor and coordinator of the event.  Manufacturing First features a full-day of speakers, informative presentations focused on innovation and the latest industry trends, multiple networking opportunities and an expo hall with more than 200 exhibitors highlighting their products and services.

How to Engage, Educate, and Motivate Your Audience with Video

Come join us for this great workshop on How to Engage, Educate, and Motivate Your Audience with Video where Michael Raymond from Imagine Road Productions will be teaching you how to create successful videos to market your business. What to Expect 1. Date: September 17, 2019 2. Registration the day of the seminar starts at 11:30 am 3. Event starts at 12:00 pm 4. There is a charge for this event of $10.00 5. The address for the event is: http://bit.ly/2YqwJpb Bordini Center FVTC Room 172 5 N Systems Dr. Appleton, WI. 54914

2019 Conference on Minority, Woman, Veteran, and LGBTQ Business Development is October 23-24

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is hosting the 38th annual MARKETPLACE conference for minority-, woman-, veteran- and LGBTQ-owned businesses October 23-24 at Potawatomi Hotel and Conference Center in Milwaukee. The conference is expected to draw more than 700 attendees and is sponsored by corporations, small businesses, and organizations, with U.S. Bank being this year’s Keystone Sponsor. The conference provides opportunities for businesses to meet with dozens of potential buyers, identify funding sources, connect with business assistance resources, and network with other businesses. Click here to register or for more information about MARKETPLACE.

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

In this class, you’ll get an introduction to the science and practice of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence can benefit not only leaders but also managers or employees within their scope of responsibility by: Discussing why emotional intelligence has emerged as a critical difference-maker for leaders competing in the modern world. Taking an Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ) assessment of your own personal emotional intelligence. Learning a process to deliberately enhance and increase your emotional intelligence. Working with your own strengths and challenges to continuously improve your life satisfaction and desired results. Receiving tips for coaching others in emotional intelligence.  Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2019 | 8:30-3:30 pm Location: Startup Hub, 2701 Larson Road, Green Bay Cost: $300 including a personal assessment

For more information

E-seed Express: Entrepreneurship Training

Thinking of starting a business? Need help? E-seed™ Express assists start-up, early-stage entrepreneurs and experienced small business owners in developing management and planning tools for their businesses. Participants develop a business plan through completion of weekly activities and business planning templates. Experts from the small business and entrepreneurial community provide insight into legal, management, marketing, technology, accounting and financing aspects of operating a successful small business. Meeting Times: Saturday, September 21, 2019 - 9:00 am-3:00 pm Mondays, September 23-November 11, 2019 - 5:30-8:30 pm Location: D. J. Bordini Center, Room BC188, 5 N Systems Drive, Appleton Fee: $299

For more information

Explore Starting a Business

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 next session will be held on October 8 at 5:30 pm at the Fox Valley Technical College Venture Center in Appleton.

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Calumet County Community Economic Development contact information: Mary Kohrell, Community Economic Development Director (920) 849-1680 | mary.kohrell@calumetcounty.org Connie Leonhard , Program Assistant (920) 849-1450 x4| connie.leonhard@calumetcounty.org ‌ ‌