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, February 28, 2022 |
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The Demographic Drought Part 2: Bridging the Gap in our Labor Force |
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The authors at EMSI Burning Glass have released Part 2 of the Demographic Drought. Titled “Bridging the Gap in our Labor Force,” the 26-page report picks up where Part 1 left off with keen insights on filling the labor force gap.
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Part 1 of The Demographic Drought was a sobering look at the current and future state of the US labor force which explored how surging Baby Boomer retirements, declines in labor force participation amongst millennials, ebbing birth rates, and falling immigration numbers help explain why the US is facing talent shortages and near record-low unemployment. That report projected that the US labor force would eventually start to decline—with far more job openings than people available to fill them—as permanent retirees outpace new labor force entrants. |
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Even before the pandemic, the US was set up to face a talent deficit of six million people by the end of the decade. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and hit the accelerator on many of these long-term trends. Almost overnight, our future labor crisis became a present reality. We now face a record 11 million job openings. With 5 million unengaged workers on the sidelines and more than 4 million immigration visas stuck in processing, the same question is on everyone’s minds: How can we fill the labor force gap?
Part 2: Bridging the Gap in our Labor Force provides key insights to help solve the situation. Readers are encouraged to download their own copy of the report to learn more.
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New Program Offers Funding Support for Child Care |
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The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families has introduced a new series of funding programs that can potentially support businesses whose employees need child care. The Project Growth program has multiple components one of which is called Partner Up! Through Partner Up!, businesses reserve slots in regulated local child care programs for children of employees. These children receive quality child care at little to no cost, while participating businesses contribute 25% of the costs and the Partner Up! grant contributes the remaining 75%. There is $10 million available statewide, so interested businesses are encouraged to act quickly, as the funds won’t last long.
Businesses are invited to join an informational Zoom meeting on March 8 at noon to learn about Partner Up! eligibility, application, and details. Calumet County Community Economic Development will be working to learn more about this new program, and will share details with local businesses as appropriate. Any interested businesses can contact us for more information.
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WMC: Employers Plan Wage Hikes to Counter Workforce Shortage |
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The new Wisconsin Employer Survey says that 88% of businesses are struggling to hire, and the workforce shortage is leading to even higher wage increases than last year.
In fact, more than eight in 10 companies plan to raise wages by 3% or more in 2022, and more than one-third of businesses plan to raise wages by more than 4%. That's a jump from roughly one-quarter of businesses in the Summer 2021 survey—and far greater than the 9% who responded the same one year ago.
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce — the combined state chamber and manufacturers’ association — conducted the survey over the last three weeks of January, covering a variety of topics.
“Wages are rising much faster than they have in recent memory,” said WMC President & CEO Kurt R. Bauer. “Wisconsin does not have enough people to fill the jobs we have available, and that creates an aggressive competition for talent. We are seeing wages rise at a faster rate, sign-on bonuses, work flexibility and many other strategies from companies to attract and retain talent.”
The survey also showed business confidence has dipped over the last six months.
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Five Below to Add Second Appleton-Area Location |
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A chain of specialty discount stores is continuing to expand into the Fox Valley.
Construction of a new Five Below store is underway on Appleton’s east side. The location will occupy an 8,592-square-foot space on the east end of the Marshalls & HomeGoods building at 3825 E. Calumet St. Miron Construction is handling the project, which was confirmed by Mid-America Real Estate Group in a press release. It’s the second Five Below location announced in as many weeks for the Appleton area.
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Five Below, discount store, which is going into the currently vacant space in the former Toys ‘R’ Us building on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Grand Chute, Wis.
Wm. Glasheen/USA Today Network-Wisconsin
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KOR Finds New Home on Highway 10 |
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KOR, the one-stop shop in Brillion for shakes, teas, coffees and aloe, has found a new home on Highway 10, in a former office in the Primary Companies strip. Lindsay Johnson and Connie Meetz say they aren’t just about nutrition, which is the focal point of their products, but also about community. Johnson had the vision to start KOR (derived from the word core, stylized as KOR) and open it downtown in 2017.
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Connie Meetz and Lindsay Johnson stand at the counter of their new KOR location on Highway 10. (David Nordby/BN photo)
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“We were not utilizing all of (the downtown space). We definitely knew that we could downsize a little bit because let’s face it, you have to pay to heat and cool the space whether you’re using it or not,” Johnson said. They originally looked at Bakkheia one step over, but that was also too much space.
“This was an office so when we walked, it was like we really had to use our imagination,” Johnson said. Johnson and Meetz gutted the building, took down walls and started from scratch. There was no plumbing. “Whatever we wanted to do, we could do it,” Johnson said
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‘What’s in Store’ for Woldt Farm? |
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Kortney Woldt, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has a vision for the family farmstead on County PP, just south of Man-Cal Road. There’s a historic building that once was the workshop her grandfather used. Then it ended up being used for storage, and now, Kortney, with the help of her parents, is planning a new future for it as a “farm market” store.
“It’s going to be that small [building] right in the middle of our driveway,” she said. She presented the idea to the Brillion Town Board on February 8, requesting a conditional use permit for the building on the family farm.
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Standing in front of the building that will become the farm market store are (l-r) Daryl Woldt, daughter Kortney, and mom Amy. The store is the dream of Kortney, a senior at the UW-Stevens Point. (Ed Byrne/BN)
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“I want to open a store where we can sell our own meat that we raise here on the farm, along with other meats from other local farmers,” she said. “We [also] want to sell cheeses and local products like honey and maple syrup and other products that community members are making.” Kortney would like to have it open this spring, with the whole family involved. |
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Stardust Celebrates 30th Year |
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Mike Hartmann has pieced together a long career as the owner of Stardust Limousine, LLC—not unlike the way his very first limousine was pieced together.
“It’s better than a real job,” Hartmann said with a smile recently as he looked back on the 30 years he has owned the business which continues to go strong.
He also smiled as he talked about how his very first limousine was a used Lincoln Town Car which he and his former partner took to a shop to get cut in half and then stretched into a limousine. “I don’t know if he was really approved to do that,” Hartmann said of the shop, but the limousine indeed worked and got the business off the ground.
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Mike Hartmann (third adult from left) of Stardust Limousine recently brought Santa Claus to Farm and Home in Chilton so that youngsters could visit with him. Stardust Limousine is marking its 30th year in business this year. |
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Main Street Bounceback Grants |
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The Main Street Bounceback Grant program provides $10,000 to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant properties in Wisconsin’s downtowns and commercial corridors. Funds can be used to pay leases or mortgages, operational expenses and other business costs related to the newly opened location. The reimbursement grant program is open to new or existing businesses opening a new location or expanding operations in a vacant commercial space as of January 1, 2021. Contact the grant program coordinator at East Central WI Regional Planning Commission for information.
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Calumet County Business Assistance |
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Business Start-Up and Expansion 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 york@sheboygancountyedc.org.
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Partner Up! is a new child care partnership grant program that allows businesses to contribute to their employees' child care costs, and have Partner Up! cover the remaining cost so workers can receive low- or no-cost child care. Join us to learn more about this exciting new program on March 8 at noon. |
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Join WEDC’s In-Person Trade Venture to Germany & Austria |
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Germany is consistently among Wisconsin’s top export destinations, and was #4 in 2021. In all, Wisconsin exported $876 million worth of goods to Germany in 2021. This healthy volume of trade reflects a history of German immigration in Wisconsin; mutual strength in manufacturing; and shared emphasis on quality, productivity and a strong work ethic. Meanwhile, Austria is a smaller market but has experienced significant growth in recent years. Wisconsin’s exports to Austria grew by 85% from 2019 to 2020 and by another 32% in the first nine months of 2021. Cultural and economic similarities make this market a good fit for a joint Global Trade Venture that will visit both Germany and Austria.
From May 14-21, 2022, a delegation of Wisconsin companies will visit Munich, Linz and Vienna. In each location, participants will be scheduled for customized one-on-one meetings with prospective partners in the market. These partners are vetted for each participating company based on specific qualifications and criteria that suit the company’s needs. Each participant in the Global Trade Venture will also receive market intelligence specific to their company, detailing considerations to keep in mind when introducing the company’s product or service into the German and Austrian markets. With logistics and scheduling handled for them, participating companies can focus on business.
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Explore Innovation Accelerator |
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Join us for a complimentary Explore Innovation Accelerator session. We’ll share how the Innovation Accelerator program works, how to apply, what to expect, and how to compete for cash to launch or grow your business.
Leave knowing how FVTC’s Venture Center can help you build the business of your future, from idea, to launch, to growth and beyond.
Virtual Session Dates:
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
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Innovation Accelerator Program for Veterans |
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The Innovation Accelerator Program for Veterans is made possible through a generous grant in partnership with the Fox Valley Technical College Venture Center and the FVTC Foundation.
This grant covers all training fees ($1,549 value). Upon program completion, receive $1,000 seed funding for your business to launch and/or grow.
PHASE ONE of the Innovation Accelerator, includes the 24-hour, three-day, Business Model Design Workshop. PHASE TWO is the 36-hour, E-seed Entrepreneurship Training Series. Finally, in PHASE THREE, YOU choose - Financial Management for Entrepreneurs OR Website Design and Promotion.
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Digital Marketing for Small Business: A 3-module Series |
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Today, more than ever, people are choosing to browse and shop online. Finding and engaging your customers through a strong Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) channel is critical to your business’ sustainability.
This three-part series is perfect for beginners and small business owners who want to create and manage their own website and design engaging emails and newsletters. Website Design and Promotion is a hands-on, interactive series and includes three modules: Email Newsletters with Constant Contact, Use WordPress to Build Your Website and Create Your Own Online Store.
Discover how easy it is to manage and support your business online!
Learn About:
• Getting started with WordPress
• Securing a domain name for your company's website
• Customizing your website by using content and photography
• Why creating an online store is critical
• Creating email newsletters using Constant Contact
Mondays & Wednesdays, March 14 - 28, 2022 | 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Virtual, hands-on, instructor-led training
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Intro to the Amazon.com Selling Platform |
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Build your business by selling on Amazon. In this seminar, learn the fundamental information needed to begin selling products on Amazon. Be introduced to the different platforms within the Amazon Ecosystem and the advantages and disadvantages of each platform. Learn about the risks associated with selling on Amazon and how to best mitigate those risks. You will also learn the pathways of moving a successful Amazon business from the Amazon.com platform to your own platform. |
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March 7-8, 2022
5:30-8:30 pm
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May 23-24, 2022
5:30-8:30 pm
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Explore Starting a Business
March 9, 2022
April 13, 2022
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Work for Yourself at 50+
March 10, 2022
April 11, 2022
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Explore Your Dream
March 16, 2022
April 27, 2022
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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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