The last few years have been heavy for potential candidates entering the workforce, and a new program aims to help future workers — not through a training program alone, but also by addressing mental health needs head on. 

Johnny Goetsch, left, and Carter Owen have fun playing with their teacher Tyler Petrie at Inspire Dreams Group Child Care Wednesday, August 31, 2022, in Chilton, WI. The business is located in Calumet Counhty and received ARPA funding. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

The program will also offer pathways of employment to other industries in need, including nursing, construction, manufacturing, truck driving and maintenance. >>Read More

Note: Calumet County employers seeking employees in the high demand employment pathways are encouraged to participate in this program. 

The grant recognizes the significant challenges Wisconsin residents face in securing accessible, affordable, and high-quality childcare to support their entry into, and retention in, the workforce. The grant, known as a Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG), will leverage partnerships among the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Wisconsin Community Action Program Association, Wisconsin’s 11 local Workforce Development Boards, and other strategic partners to achieve these outcomes. 

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By Amelia Compton Wolff, Insight on Business, November 1, 2022

Garages have become synonymous with entrepreneurial innovation — before there’s a headquarters, work happens in a garage.

This was true for Angela Schumacher, co-owner of Smoky Lake Maple Products, a fabricator of maple syrup production equipment in Hilbert.

“I parked in the driveway for a few years because our garage filled up with machines,” says Schumacher, who founded the company with her husband, Jim, in 2010. “It was like that American dream, starting in the garage like we were The Ramones.”

While Smoky Lake offers a full line of equipment for tapping, boiling, testing, filtering and bottling maple syrup, the Dauntless Evaporator has quickly become the company’s signature product. The Dauntless was developed three years ago specifically for the growing number of maple syrup hobbyists who tap only a small number of trees. “The interest doubles every year, and the demand has been challenging to keep up with,” Schumacher says. “But it’s been exciting to see so many new people get into this hobby.” >>Read More

By David Nordby The Brillion News, Nov. 3, 2022 

Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI), a national leader in engineering, construction, manufacturing and clean energy, has been recognized by the 2022 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America, an awards program created to honor people-first organizations that prioritize the well-being of its employees. FTI was also one of 20 organizations inducted into the Healthiest Employers Hall of Fame this year, which recognizes companies that have been named to the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America more than five times and that continue to demonstrate commitment to its population’s health. This is the seventh year FTI has received healthiest employer national recognition, which honors organizations for their commitment to workplace wellness and exceptional health and benefits offerings.  >>Read More

By Sharon Verbeten, Insight on Business, November 1, 2022

When Ashton Kragh was a young girl in Arizona, her home burned down and her family built it back themselves.

“We were always working hard, and we didn’t know any different,” says Kragh, 34, the new owner of Chilton Upholstery with her husband, Jonathon. Kragh’s upbringing is likely what inspired her to take the leap to buying the company, which has a long history in the city. She and Jonathon purchased the small Calumet County shop earlier this year from second-generation owners Dino and Ellie Papendieck.

“It was very much one of those moments in life where your spouse knows what you need more than you do,” says Kragh, who formerly worked in the medical field. Jonathon, 40, a funeral director and member of the Chilton City Council, met the Papendiecks at a funeral and learned they were interested in selling the business.  >>Read More

Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity not only offers housing assistance for families to buy affordable homes, they also revitalize neighborhoods through Rock the Block events and their Home Repair Program.

Rock the Block brings together residents, municipalities and community partners to complete exterior home repairs for low-income homeowners. These projects improve and beautify neighborhoods, increase property values and have a ripple effect on all homes in targeted neighborhoods. Habitat’s Rock the Block program will focus on Chilton in May 2023. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available. >>Learn More

From September 29 through October 1, volunteers, community partners, homeowners and supporters stepped up to address much-needed repairs and improvement projects on homes and community spaces in Menasha/Fox Crossing. Click the image above and watch the video to see the impact!

Wisconsin Economic Development has issued it’s newest grant program -- the new Vibrant Spaces Grant. It is a pilot program within the Community Development Investment (CDI) Grant Program, is designed to assist with creating vibrant and engaging communities that make it easier to recruit and retain residents, sustain a robust labor force and enhance local quality of life. Grants in amounts from $25,000 to $50,000 are available to help local communities develop and enhance public spaces. Applicants must agree to provide a 1:1 match of the grant amount. >>Learn More

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. Calumet County. Contact the grant program coordinator at East Central WI Regional Planning Commission for information. Application deadline is Dec. 31, 2022.

WWBIC is a leading innovative statewide economic development corporation that’s been “Putting Dreams to Work” since 1987. WWBIC helps open the doors of opportunity by providing underserved individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses with access to critical resources such as responsible financial products and quality business and financial training. >>View WWBIC's Training and Programs Catalog

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 opportunities 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.

The FVTC Venture Center has GREAT programs, events, and celebrations planned.

Find the Startup Wisconsin Week events that you want to attend.

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 provide insight into legal, management, marketing, technology, accounting and financing aspects of operating a successful small business. >>Additional Information and Registration