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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Monday, November 30, 2020 |
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Deloitte Ranks Wisconsin's 75 Largest Privately and Closely Held Companies |
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Sarah Hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 15, 2020
Any package that lands on your doorstep might have been made with Charter Next Generation's products.
The specialty film maker has a hand in producing the envelopes used to ship goods, the bags for lettuces, the wrap around toilet paper and the bags in cereal boxes — just to name a few.
Charter Next Generation is the supplier for more than half of the top 50 consumer goods and packaging brands like General Mills, Tyson Foods, and FedEx, Senior Market Manager Apurva Shah said.
A merger, the need for essential goods during the pandemic and the shift to sustainable packaging all helped propel Charter Next Generation to land on Deloitte's Wisconsin 75 for the first time.
The program, in which the accounting and consulting firm Deloitte recognizes the state’s largest privately and closely held companies, is now in its 18th year. The Wisconsin 75 were honored during an event with Deloitte Chief Global Economist Ira Kalish as the featured speaker.
The Wisconsin 75 ranks companies by revenue. That puts Northwestern Mutual at the top of the list followed by American Family Insurance and ABC Supply Co. Inc. Northwestern Mutual has $29.9 billion in revenues, according to the company.
Charter, the material supplier based in Milton, landed at No. 30 for its inaugural appearance on the list.
"The Badger State is home to more than 450 of our employees and four of our manufacturing sites," said Charter Next Generation Chief Executive Officer Kathy Bolhous. "We're proud contributors to the local economy and will be rooted in Wisconsin as we continue to grow."
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Congratulations to local companies Sargento (22) and Ariens (36) for making the list once again! |
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How Do Americans Support Small Businesses? |
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As Small Business Saturday 2020 approaches on November 28, it is useful to have some facts about the importance of small businesses across the country. You might think that Amazon and big box stores have pushed small businesses out of consumers’ minds, but that is not the case. Most Americans still frequent their local small businesses.
SCORE’s latest infographic, sponsored by Nav, examines the popularity of small businesses across the country. As shown, Americans still patronize small businesses (companies with fewer than 500 employees)
- 91% of Americans shop at a small business at least once a week
- 47% frequent small businesses 2-4 times weekly
- 17% more than 4 times a week
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Broadband in Rural Wisconsin: Identifying Gaps, Highlighting Successes |
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“Without a doubt broadband access in all corners of our state is crucial for the success of Wisconsin. Over the past two decades, the growing importance of broadband for business, farming, school, and governments has been obvious,” said WCA Forward Analytics Director Dale Knapp. “The COVID-19 pandemic has put an even brighter spotlight on this issue and re-emphasized its critical nature as we face a new normal.”
The most recent data from the Federal Communications Commission show that 25% of rural residents lack access to 25 Mbps broadband, the speed which is now considered the standard. Wisconsin’s level of inaccessibility is worse than the national average and 35 other states.
In Wisconsin, rural access to 25 Mbps broadband varies widely by county. The highest levels of access generally are in the relatively small rural parts of urban counties, such as Kenosha, Racine, and Waukesha counties. However, in nine more sparsely-populated counties—Ashland, Clark, Douglas, Iron, Marinette, Price, Richland, Rusk, and Taylor—less than half of the rural population had broadband at that speed available in 2019.
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Note: While most Calumet County residents have access to broadband service, work remains so all residents and businesses have fully adequate service levels. |
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Fresh Perspective: Manufacturers Eye Ways to Attract Next-Gen Workforce |
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When Jesse Falls finished his time serving in the military, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in manufacturing. His military work prepared him well for the job he took four years ago as a materials distribution coordinator at CMD Corp. in Appleton.
Falls says his role, which involves coordinating the receipt and disbursement of purchased and fabricated parts for the company’s manufacturing operations, leaves him with a sense of satisfaction, and he’s formed close relationships with his fellow team members. “Every day, it’s always exciting to come into work. The culture is great,” Falls says.
The leaders at CMD care and make looking after employees’ wellbeing a priority, he says, and that’s been especially true during the challenging time of the pandemic. The adversity has brought his team closer together than ever before, he says. Falls also sees himself taking on bigger roles in the future and knows the company’s leaders will support him in that. “There are always going to be opportunities to excel and also to (look at) exactly what you bring to the table. They’ve never shot anybody down with ideas,” he says.
Attracting young talent like Falls has become a major focus for many manufacturers as they look to replace retiring baby boomer workers. While the pandemic brought a new set of challenges to manufacturers, an old one — attracting and retaining workers — never went away. In WMEP Manufacturing Solutions’ latest Economic Crisis/COVID-19 Manufacturer Pulse Survey, 18 percent of respondents cited finding and keeping employees as their No. 1 concern, trailing only the 21 percent who identified a decline in sales as their top concern.
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COVID-19 Business Support Resource Available |
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Calumet County Economic Development has limited copies of a resource packet available from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The resource is a packet that includes a “We’re All In” window cling, along with 100 multi-colored logo-matching stickers suitable for distribution to customers. Packets are available upon request by email or phone (920-849-1680). WEDC has additional business resources including posters, logo items, and business guidelines available at https://www.weareallinwi.com/.
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Six Entrepreneurs Advance to December 3 NEW Launch Alliance HATCH Event |
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Local pitch contest winners demonstrate variety of creative business ideas in New North region
Six entrepreneurial pitch winners – two each from three local events that were hosted by a collaboration of several local partners – will vie for additional prize money at a regional pitch competition hosted by New North Inc. The NEW Launch Alliance HATCH Event will take place virtually on December 3 at 4 p.m., with participants having the chance for broader investor attention along with prize money of $3,000 for first place and $2,000 for second place.
The top winners will be invited to pitch again at the New North Summit, March 11, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Last year’s Summit winners also will give an update as to the status of launching their companies. “We were excited by the wide range of creative business ideas shown at these local pitch events,” says Barb LaMue, president and CEO of New North Inc. “It demonstrates the vibrancy of the entrepreneurial community across the New North region.”
The three local events were held virtually during 2020 Startup Week in Wisconsin, November 11-18. First-place winners received $1,000 cash, while second-place finishers were given $500.
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Calumet County Business Assistance |
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Ray York of the Small Business Development Center serves Calumet County with business assistance to existing and start-up businesses throughout the county. Small Business Development Center services are available at no cost to businesses. Ray’s goal is to provide opportunity to clients by guiding them to make informed decisions to start, expand, or transition their business. He can be reached by phone at 920-946-9379 or email. |
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Outsized demand for home improvement projects and greater digital integration drove what Home Depot CEO Craig Menear called an exceptional third quarter with stores now fulfilling 60% of online orders.
Online sales at Lowe's Companies popped 30.4% as the nation's second largest home improvement retailer continues to benefit from powerful pandemic driven consumer trends.
Dollar General is the latest retailer to again step up and provide employees with another massive round of bonus payments.
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Energy Innovation Grant Program Can Support Manufacturers |
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The Pubic Service Commission of Wisconsin has made available the Energy Innovation Grant Program to help manufacturers who are planning to deploy technology to reduce their energy consumption, invest in renewable energy related initiatives, or bolster their preparedness and resiliency in energy systems. The application deadline is January 2021. |
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LISC-Lowe’s Offering Rural Relief Small Business Grants |
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As part of their continuing commitment to elevate impact in rural America, LISC is inviting small business owners in rural locations across the country to apply for the LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants program. The program is currently available only to small businesses located in rural communities defined as having a population of 50,000 or less. A community is defined as the city/town/village where the business address is located. All potential applicants are encouraged to review the LISC FAQ and grant information before applying.
Applications are being accepted in “rounds” with a new application submitted for each round in order to be considered for funding in that round. Below are the dates of upcoming rounds:
- November 26 - December 2, 2020
- December 29, 2020 - January 5, 2021
- January 26 - February 2, 2021
The funds will support small businesses and enterprises affected by Covid-19 across the country, especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital. Applications will be reviewed based on criteria designed to prioritize particularly challenged businesses, and the final grantees will be randomly selected from the top scoring applicants.
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WI Fast Forward Worker Training Grants Available from DWD |
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Grant offerings have been redesigned into a single grant opportunity, "Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants” to help fund the development of innovative and collaborative customized worker training programs that target unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers.
Key features of this grant program:
- Grants are available to all industry sectors and companies of any size;
- Grant award amounts may range from $5,000 to $400,000;
- Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the grant award amount is required;
- Grantees must complete the training of at least 85% of the contracted number of trainees; and
- At least 65% of trainees must be placed in positions that require the skills taught in the funded training, at the placement partner(s) identified in the grant application.
For more information and to apply, please see the Grant Program Announcement summarizing program requirements. Applications are due Monday, November 30, 2020, by 3:00 pm CST.
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SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness Update |
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Country Visions Now Open in Brillion |
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Country Visions is open for business in Brillion. The store in the former Shopko building on Highway 10 opened to customers this week on Monday. “I think it’s even nicer than we imagined. You never really know how this stuff turns out until you get the sign lit out in front, the black top is all shiny and new, and the logos on the building look nice. We have a very inviting look as you come down the highway,” Country Visions Cooperative CEO Steve Zutz said.
The store offers the company’s largest building for its farm and agriculture products.
Hours at the Brillion location will be Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturdays 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
With the opening of its Brillion location, Country Visions closed its Reedsville location permanently last Wednesday, encouraging customers to visit the new Brillion store. The size of the Highway 10 building allowed Country Visions to consolidate operations and expand its merchandise lineup, including dog grooming.
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Wills Hired as New Brillion City Administrator |
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Brillion residents, meet your new city administrator and community development director. Peter Wills speaks fast, speaks passionately, and has ideas and plenty of experience.
“My background is diverse, but it’s always been close to our customers, and our customers is our businesses and it’s our workforce and it’s our people,” Wills said, as he plans to bring that same approach to Brillion.
Wills was executive director of Progress Lakeshore, an economic development group for Manitowoc County, from 2014 until his hire in Brillion. “The largest percentage of my duties really have been in that economic development, community development realm,” Wills said. With Progress Lakeshore, Wills helped bring more than 1,200 jobs and $200 million in projects.
In Brillion, he says, he wants to hear from residents on what they would like to see in the city. “Part of that economic development, community development is kind of recognizing that we have to have opportunities, ensure a great quality of life and one of our key assets is our people, so how do we keep that talent?” Wills said.
Housing, retail shopping and attracting more people to Brillion are things that Wills mentions. “As COVID has hit, we see people that may not have to live now where they work, so can we use that to attract people to our area that otherwise may have to pay a lot more for housing,” Wills said. Wills speaks of attracting new companies, growing entrepreneurship and filling empty storefronts.
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Delightfully Calumet, Inc. volunteers and the organizations they represent are (from left) Cheryl Knier, Kiel Lions; Bob Cullen, Chilton Kiwanis; Wes Grube, Hilbert Lions; Sharon Verheyen, Chilton Kiwanis; Steve Schueller, Calumet Cliffhangers 4-H Club; Sue Schultz, Chilton Optimists; Greg Kubichka, Chilton Eagles, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimists, Youth Club; Judy Walsdorf, Kiel Lions; Don Knaus, Chilton Eagles, Optimists; and Chuck Kiehn, Brillion Lions. Delightfully Calumet, Inc. volunteers gathered Wednesday, Nov. 11 to make plans for the Fourth Annual Holiday Light Show. The Delightfully Calumet Inc. Holiday Light Show located at Hobart Park/Calumet County Fairgrounds, Chilton is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening in December including Christmas evening from 5 to 9 p.m. Thirteen Calumet County civic organizations will have displays that attendees can view. Admittance is a non-perishable food item that will be donated
to local food pantries.
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Export Pro Series Session 2 – Global Business Opportunities Abound for Wisconsin Companies – December 1
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Attend this no-cost webinar to learn how to:
- Obtain customized country and industry-specific market intelligence for your company
- Develop an export growth plan for your product/s in target markets
- Identify and connect with new prospective partners overseas
- Tap into grant funds to help your company grow and expand internationally
- Access Wisconsin’s export ecosystem
Join Chad Hoffman, the SBDC’s lead international trade consultant for the Go Global Initiative and Brad E. Schneider CGBP, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's Market Development Director for Americas & Australia to help you become an Export Pro!
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Virtual Marketplace - December 8-10, 2020 |
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MARKETPLACE will virtually connect statewide business owners looking to do business with state, federal and local governments as well as with the private sector
Minority, woman, veteran and LGBTQ-owned small businesses can learn from resource providers, government representatives, corporate buyers and business professionals to open the door to new partnerships and new contracts.
Don't miss one of Wisconsin's major contracting events of the year--now online and very reasonably priced!
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The Future Wisconsin Project, a program of WMC Foundation, addresses our state’s long-term systemic, economic challenges. With partner representation from business, government, and education, this program seeks to bring all stakeholders of the economy to the table to develop solutions we can all implement. The year-long collaboration culminates with The Future Wisconsin Summit, held at the end of each year.
The 2020 Future Wisconsin Summit Keynote Speakers
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Registration is Now Open! |
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Future Fox Cities 2021 is 100% Virtual!
Join us Wednesday, March 3, for our annual career fair in a new virtual format, that you will LOVE! Future Fox Cities Career Expo 2021 will feature:
- An event landing page and lobby
- A virtual auditorium with employer led webinars
- A scavenger hunt and leader board
- Employer profiles and other downloadable content
- A virtual help desk
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Fox Cities Operational Excellence Presents ... Virtual Lean Coffee |
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Virtual Lean Coffee is a structured, but agenda-less complimentary meeting. This virtual session will focus on the real-time interests and questions around Lean and Continuous Improvement.
December 9, 2020 | 8:30-10:00 am
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Explore Starting a Business
December 9, 2020
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Work for Yourself at 50+
December 10, 2020
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Join us virtually every Wednesday!
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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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