February 16, 2023

Improve employee satisfaction and retention with ENGAGE

Our next ENGAGE Fox Cities program will be held June 2-3, 2023! ENGAGE Fox Cities provides a community immersion experience for local employees. “It’s a great way to connect your employees with their community and help improve retention and satisfaction. Whether someone is new to the area or a longtime resident, every participant will learn something new and feel more engaged in the Fox Cities,” said Amy Schanke, Director of Leadership Fox Cities, who is managing the program at the Chamber.

To register, click here or contact Amy Schanke, Director of Leadership Fox Cities, at 920.734.7101 or aschanke@foxcitieschamber.com with any questions.

Chamber Quick Poll

What upcoming event are you most likely to attend?

Excellence in Education Awards

PULSE CEO Breakfast

Summer Golf Outing

Future 15 Young Professionals Awards

Last Week's Quick Poll Results

By the close of 2023, do you anticipate the Fox Cities economy will have...

Grown - 42.9%
Remained the same - 40.7%
Declined - 16.5%

Your Business Advocate Blog

Governor Evers Introduces State Budget Proposal

Last night, Governor Evers addressed a joint session of the state legislature where he outlined his priorities for the 2023-2025 Wisconsin State Budget. He had previously teased several of his initiatives over the last few weeks leading up to the speech. Unsurprisingly, with a $7 billion surplus to work with, his budget has considerably more spending than previous budgets.

Overall, his $103.8 billion budget comprises an increase of 17.9% in the first year, and essentially flat in the second year. In the General Purpose Revenue account – which is compromised of revenue from your standard income and sales taxes – the $48.1 billion in spending is an increase of 23.2% in the first year and a small 1.2% dip in the second year.

Read the full blog post here

Jon Turke

Vice President of Government Affairs

jturke@foxcitieschamber.com

Your insights on the Fox Cities economy

We asked the community for their thoughts, and you answered! Last week our poll question was: "By the close of 2023, do you anticipate the Fox Cities economy will have grown, remained the same, or declined?" We compared yours answers to the responses we received in our economic outlook survey, and found very similar results:

Fox Cities Week poll

Grown - 42.9%
Remained the same - 40.7%
Declined - 16.5%

Economic Outlook Survey

Grown - 40%
Remained the same - 43%
Declined - 17%

Want to see more data like this? Check out our Economic Outlook Survey results by clicking here.

InSight Eye Care Named PULSE Champion of Young Professionals

InSight Eye Care is a privately owned practice with locations in Appleton and Oshkosh. The InSight team works to create a positive environment that celebrates communication, relationship building, and productivity to best serve their patients. Additionally, they offer educational opportunities to their employees to advance their skills and certifications.

“InSight Eye Care has deep roots in the Fox Cities,” said Dr. Ryan P. Ames, Optometrist at InSight Eye Care. “Our Oshkosh location opened in 1972 and our Appleton location began in the 1950’s. We understand that engaging young leaders in our community early is how we grow as a business and as a larger community. We are proud to be a Champion of Young Professionals and look forward to seeing where our YPs lead us.”

Learn more about becoming a Champion of Young Professionals by clicking here.

PULSE Lunch 'n Learn was a hit!

View photos from the lunch

New economic development newsletter from the Chamber

From the mind of "Bow-Tie Economist" Elliot Eisenberg, we'll soon have the opportunity to share 14 fast facts every Friday. Let us know below if you're interested!

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Shining Star award winners coming soon...

Next week we are surprising our ten Excellence in Education Shining Star award winners at their schools, so keep an eye on social media as we will be teasing our location throughout the week. Make sure you follow all of our pages using the links below.

Use big data intelligence to grow your small business

Business owners can now use SizeUpWI, a free online data tool, to make informed decisions for the growth and success of their companies.

SizeUpWI is a customized platform for small business owners in Wisconsin that provides the market research and business intelligence needed for growth and success. The tool provides data on nearby competitors, consumer and supplier locations, and advertising hotspots to help owners make sound strategic decisions. Learn more about SizeUpWI here.

Wisconsin saw a surge in new businesses during the pandemic

In a recent article published by Wisconsin Public Radio, Jim Wickersham, the Chamber's Senior Director of Investor Relations, said the pandemic created an opportunity for people to explore starting their own business when many businesses closed in 2020. "People didn't have those allegiances to their careers that they had at one point, so some of their ideas percolated to the top," he said. "This, 'We might as well try it now if we're going to try it at all,' type of mentality came, and it really struck hard."

What we're reading

China threatens US entities over downing of balloon

U.S. will default this summer unless Congress raises debt limit, CBO warns

Electric vehicles could match gasoline cars on price this year

Chamber Member News

Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Hmong Professionals will open the doors to its new facility on Feb. 11.

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center has been listed as #80 in Top 200 Theatres worldwide in Pollstar’s 2022 Year-End Special edition.

Bank First Corporation is pleased to announce the completion of its merger with Hometown Bancorp, Ltd.

Appleton Community Music launches 2023 Mile of Music Campaign.

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine BayCare Clinic opens new location.

The Appleton Parade Committee is now accepting applications for the 72nd Appleton Flag Day Parade.

People Making Headlines

Kate Burgess, a dynamic leader within the creative space for more than two decades, has joined the board of directors of New North Inc.

Dr. Lisa Miller, clinical psychologist and bestselling author, will speak on the science of spirituality during Samaritan's Creating Hope webinar.

Rebecca Deschane, Vice President of Talent Development for New North Inc. has been elected to the board of directors of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA).