A new report from Forward Analytics, A Housing Hurdle: Demographics Drive Need for More Homes, warns that a housing shortage in Wisconsin is likely to increase over the next 10 years.

According to the new study, finding affordable housing is going to be increasingly difficult for young people as the large baby boom generation retires but remains in their homes for another 15 years or more. This effectively shrinks the available workforce housing stock. 

Calumet County’s 2023 Visitor’s Guide is now available. It was produced through a partnership of Zander Press Inc and the Calumet County Parks Department staff. Copies are being distributed locally to over 25 destinations frequented by local members of the public as well as visitors. In the next few weeks, copies of the Visitor’s Guide will also be available at numerous rest stops along Wisconsin’s major highways, working to lure new visitors to the county’s tourism amenities. A digital copy of the Guide is available at www.travelcalumet.com. Paper copies of the Guide are available from 920 849-1680 or info@travelcalumet.com.  

“Growing North, Moving Forward” is the title given to the 2022 New North Annual Report to the community. New North is the 18-county economic development region in which Calumet County is located. The report highlights the positive economic impacts and initiatives that have taken places because of New North’s leadership. The report was created in collaboration with Insight Publications.

The Fox Cities Chamber is still accepting responses for its annual economic outlook survey, but the deadline to take the survey is approaching. By January 20, any individual who works in the Fox Cities region – Outagamie, Calumet, and the northern part of Winnebago County – is invited to take the survey, which covers area business trends from 2022 and projections for 2023.

A copy of the survey results will be distributed at the Chamber’s Economic Outlook Luncheon on Tuesday, February 7^th, at the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley. This annual event features bowtie economist Elliot Eisenberg sharing his micro and macro views of the economy in an engaging and entertaining fashion.

Insight Publications is seeking nominations for their first-ever 40 Under 40 Awards. Candidates will be judged on both professional accomplishments and involvement with civic organizations. Nominations must be received by Wednesday, Feb. 15 at noon.

Applications must be submitted online and self-nominations are encouraged. Nominees must be under 40 as of June 1, 2023, and live or work in the New North Region.

Former New Holstein Mayor, Dianne Reese, is the New Holstein Area Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Person of 2022 for her lifetime of volunteerism to the community. Congratulations, Dianne! 

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.

February 7: The Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Region 5 (Wisconsin) is holding a two-hour security webinar from 10am to noon on February 7 to enhance organizations’ resilience in case of an active shooter incident. Preparing employees for a potential active shooter event is an integral component of an organization’s incident response planning. >>Learn More or Register

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