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

Thursday, December 19, 2019

As the decade draws to a close, we're sending holiday greetings to all our readers, and best wishes for a healthy, prosperous, and happy 2020. We celebrate the local private and public investments in 2019 that keep Calumet County a competitive place to grow a business, get a job, and raise a family. Some of our noteworthy successes in 2019 include: Business investment commitments at Ariens, Sargento, Honeymoon Acres, and Metko, among others, valued at nearly $50,000,000; Single, multi-family, and senior housing development projects in Harrison, Appleton, Sherwood, Chilton, New Holstein, and Kiel adding much-needed housing in and near the county; Our first annual Career Fair and Expo for local high school students and employers; $300,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment grant and contracting with Stantec to support the county’s implementation; CDBG CLOSE Economic Development Planning grant to complete a housing demand study and an analysis of blight in the county with support from Cedar Corporation; Business planning support for 17 entrepreneurs and existing businesses through our partnership with Ray York and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and our own efforts; Redevelopment efforts at the former Brillion Iron Works site in Brillion which is closing out 2019 with building demolition; Ongoing work to redevelop the former Tecumseh site in New Holstein and other smaller sites within the county. The county couldn’t do any of these projects without our important local partners. We are deeply grateful for your support and look forward to making the next decade even better! After a short break, look for our next newsletter on January 13.

Kohrell to Lead NEWREP in 2020

Calumet County Community Economic Development Director, Mary Kohrell, was elected on December 13 to serve as President of NEWREP. She takes over from Past Board President, Peter Wills of Progress Lakeshore (shown on the right). The remaining NEWREP officers include Jim Cleveland of Envision Fond du Lac and Josh Bernhardt of the Greater Green Bay Chamber. NEWREP is a collaborative partnership within the 18 counties that comprise the New North economic development region and partner closely with Barb LaMue (2nd from right) and other New North staff. Economic development practitioners within the region meet six times annually for professional development opportunities. At its most recent meeting, participants heard a workforce development update from Department of Workforce Development Secretary Designee, Caleb Frostman, pictured second from left.

B IW Demolition Signals New Future

By David Nordby, The Brillion News , 12/12/19 The site of what was known as the Brillion Iron Works for close to a century is at a crossroads in its history. The majority of the former foundry buildings are being torn down paving way for future redevelopment. Demolition on the buildings started last week. Ayres Associates is overseeing the demolition and has contracted Brandenburg. Demolition is scheduled to be finished by April at the latest but is likely to be complete before that deadline. The Brillion Iron Works closed in the fall of 2016. Ariens Company has worked with the city for more than two years to redevelop the property and has established the LLC, Brillion Works. “We’ve been working with Ayres for a good solid year,” Brillion Public Works Director Andy Geiger said. “The applications for grant dollars and that type of thing is the next step because it’s definitely not going to happen out of the city’s pocketbook, or one pocketbook all by itself.” Grants and the environmental TID that was established by the city have helped cover the cost of demolition. Geiger meets with Ayres and Brandenburg weekly, and monthly with the Brillion Works LLC group. The long-range vision for the site that will be spaced out over the next five to 20 years could include commercial and retail spaces, businesses, residential areas, new roads, and parks.

The former Brillion Iron Works buildings, which are in the process of being demolished, are pictured last week from Highway 10. The demolition project started last week and will be complete by April at the latest. (David Nordby/BN)

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Local Business Updates

Milk Specialties Global Honored as Mpls/St.Paul Business Journal 2019 Large Manufacturer of the Year

Milk Specialties Global was recognized on December 5 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2019 Large Manufacturer of the Year. The Business of Manufacturing awards recognize manufacturing companies and leaders in the industry that drive the region’s economy and grow their businesses through innovation and strategic evolution. The company was selected among Minnesota-based companies employing 249 employees or more. Award criteria include excellent financial performance; effective business strategy; innovative approaches to internal operations, corporate training and manufacturing processes; job creation and/or retention; and sustainable practices. Milk Specialties was recognized for exceptional business growth, leadership in dairy protein exports, operational excellence, product innovation, and focus on sustainability. Milk Specialties has a production facility in New Holstein. CEO David Lenzmeier congratulated all Milk Specialties employees for their contribution toward the award. Thanks to the Tri-County News for this information.

Support for Business and Entrepreneurs

According to SCORE, small business owners who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased growth. Whether it be through SCORE or any of the other many small business mentoring programs available, we urge business owners to take advantage of mentorship. Listed are a few of the programs that Calumet County Community Economic Development specifically offers to help small businesses succeed and grow.

Small Business Counselor: Small Business Development Center business counseling services are 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.  First Steps: 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 it’s free! For more information or to register for first steps, click here. Entrepreneurial Training Program: ETP is taught in eight efficient sessions to help businesses and entrepreneurs develop a plan for a thriving, profitable business. This will allow entrepreneurs to organize and better manage a business, along with receiving funding and writing a detailed, comprehensive business plan. The next program begins in Sheboygan in April, but it’s never too soon to think about signing up.

Upcoming Events

Intro to the Amazon.com Selling Platform

Explore the fundamental information needed to sell products on Amazon and help build your business.   Discover the common business models sellers use, learn the differences between the models, and explore which one will work best for you.   You will learn about:   Amazon product sourcing vs. launching a new product Amazon MFN and FBA Programs Upsides and downsides to selling on Amazon Critical concepts to selling on Amazon Third party tools to simplify selling on Amazon Strategies to move your business off the Amazon.com platform  Monday & Tuesday, January 13-14, 2020  D.J. Bordini Center  I  Details |   Register   Monday & Tuesday, January 27-28, 2020 D.J. Bordini Center | Details | Register

Engaging with Large Employers Webinar

This webinar with Brian Johnson, Director of the On Broadway District in Green Bay, will cover strategies for reaching and engaging with large employers in your community on behalf of downtown. Participants will better understand how to develop sponsorship packages, messages, and programs that make downtown relevant for large employers (and their employees). Date: January 15, 2020 Time: 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm Register here

Community Marketing and Engagement Workshop

Save the date! March 13 Lake Mills, WI Registration coming soon

Building Your Business Model

Evaluating and modeling potential new business ventures is the focus of this course. Students will explore and map how a business intends to make money through the four main areas of a business: customers, offer, infrastructure, and financial viability. Through a hands-on, experiential approach students gain a better understanding of how to transform a start-up into a repeatable and scalable business venture. In-person: Dates: Wednesdays, January 22-March 11, 2020 | 12:30 to 2:50 pm Location: Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton Campus, Room B126 Cost: $304.80 or Online: Dates: January 20 - March 14, 2020

For more information or to register

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 critica l 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. You will learn about: The entrepreneur/business owner mindset Critical questions to consider when launching or growing a business Entrepreneurship Training: The experience and the results 12 essentials for ramping up your business Get more details and register here. The next sessions will be held on January 8 or February 12 at 5:30 pm at the Fox Valley Technical College D.J. Bordini 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 ‌ ‌