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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The Statewide Labor Shortage Could Last Years: Here’s How Employers, Workers Can Still Succeed |
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To understand how much the statewide labor shortage has changed the jobs market, look no further than a recent job fair to hire workers for expansions of Pierce Manufacturing's production plants in Neenah and Fox Crossing.
Pierce touted competitive pay, health and well-being services and matching retirement contributions as most major employers do now. And the company highlighted another incentive: $10,000 in educational reimbursement per year for employees working toward a college degree.
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Note: At a time when there are 86 unemployed people for every 100 job openings, employers will need to innovate to successfully address hiring needs. |
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Homegrown Talent: Wisconsin Job Shop Carries on Tradition of Apprenticeships
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JTD Enterprises of Chilton, Wisconsin, can produce more complicated parts than a lot of other Wisconsin job shops, and that gives it a competitive edge when bidding. So, does offering engineering and design advice that improves machinability and cost per part. The secret to its success? Fostering apprentices to ensure a steady supply of journeymen machinists. |
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“Out of our current 23 employees, we have 12 journeymen and two apprentices, which is unusual in our industry because a highly skilled workforce is hard to find,” says company president Julie Hoban. “There’s no way that we could compete at such a high level without this talent pipeline. Even with the addition of our first robot for CNC load/unload activity, we still need skilled technicians to operate our manufacturing equipment.”
As OEMs and job shops struggle with labor shortages, JTD Enterprises demonstrates one of the most viable long-term solutions to the challenge of finding and keeping skilled workers: Grow and shape your own talent. That philosophy is the foundation behind machine shop apprenticeships, which have been expanding in popularity over the last few years. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of new manufacturing apprentices increased by 32% in 2020 and 150 new manufacturing apprenticeship programs were established nationwide – a 10% growth from the previous year.
Strong Tradition
JTD Enterprises’ co-founder and manager Tom Hoban realized the importance of apprenticeships more than 30 years ago when he obtained his own journeyman’s card.
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A Tale of Three Apprentices
When it comes to cultivating talent, Julie and Tom walk the talk every day. Their efforts change the arc of people’s lives. Such was the case with these three.
Bernie, age 39, changed careers from concrete formwork to save his body after a second rotator cuff tear. This father of two young kids literally knocked on JTD’s door after another apprenticeship fell through. Julie didn’t plan on hiring anyone at the time, but she wasn’t going to let someone with Bernie’s attitude and talent walk away.
Cassie, age 19, is a young woman who can’t stop moving or learning. Inspired by her father, a welder, she wanted a machinist apprenticeship and the freedom to work in a family-oriented environment.
Brandon, age 16, is a youth apprentice and future engineer. He knows learning how to make parts will make him a better engineer — and a great hourly salary that goes towards his ’89 Camaro doesn’t hurt either.
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Passing the Hammer
Transition taking place at Mathes Construction
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The footings were set years ago for the transition which is now taking place at Mathes Construction in Kiel.
Owner Tim Mathes, 58, will be fully retiring from the business at the end of this year, but the Mathes name will live on for years to come as his son Cory is assuming full ownership. Cory, 31, became part owner in 2016 and began working in the business in 2005 at the age of 15.
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Father-son Tim and Cory Mathes are transitioning at Mathes Construction in Kiel as Tim retires and Cory assumes full ownership of the business. (Mark Sherry photo)
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Cory said he is not planning any significant changes at the business as the focus will be on continuing the reputation for quality which his father started building 28 years ago. “We stand behind our products,” Cory said. “We stand behind our work.” |
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Appleton Downtown, Inc. has always strived to make the city’s center an inviting place for businesses, residents and tourists, but lately its mission includes an expanded focus on drawing workers to the city. “It’s about creating that vibrancy for the community and a place where people want to live and raise their families and find a job. It’s all about talent attraction right now,” says ADI Executive Director Jennifer Stephany.
ADI puts on dozens of events throughout the year, and Stephany says the organization does a great job of drawing people together, but efforts also need to be geared toward creating a community where people want to settle.
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Appleton Downtown, Inc. is putting an increased focus on attracting talent to the city. Businesses and industries of all kinds desperately need workers. |
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To accomplish its objectives, ADI is looking at larger communities around the nation, including Nashville and Austin, to see how they’re tackling the issue and how Appleton might replicate some of their tactics. Part of what works for Appleton is live, local music, with the city’s reputation as a home to largescale events like Mile of Music, outdoor concerts and many live music venues.
Appleton’s niche is offering a small community feel with big-city amenities, such as the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Stephany says. “We have to find that balance of making it safe and comfortable and pretty, but we also want Broadway and high-level dining and nice boutiques. All of that plays into the kind of community that we’re selling.”
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‘Tis the Season…to Visit Calumet and Take in the Light Shows |
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Fox Cities Festival of Lights boasts 100,000 lights on handmade sculptures
The Fox Cities Festival of Lights took a year off because of the pandemic but is back on to kick off the Christmas season. Jodi Avery, a Committee Member for the Fox Cities Festival of Lights said, “We really missed being able to do it and because of the pandemic there were a lot of months there that we couldn’t be in the shop there working on things but we have a couple of big ones that we were able to get done.”
The show has over 100,000 lights and multiple displays representing cities across the region with plans to expand past Appleton, Little Chute, and Kaukauna displays.
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Delightfully Calumet in Chilton
Delightfully Calumet, Inc. Holiday Light Show is a joint venture of fourteen civic organizations in Calumet County who have come together to present a drive-through Holiday Light Show choreographed to Christmas music at the Calumet County Fairgrounds in December. The show features fourteen 150-foot displays with various themes synchronized to Christmas music.
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North Pole Christmas Village Opens in Calumet County Location
The North Pole Christmas Village has opened at N5207 Lemke Road, east of Chilton. This year there are plenty of extras including a newly constructed indoor display area. There are 26 different displays inside and 15 more outside. The display is open every night (except Christmas Eve) from 5:00-9:00 pm until January 2.
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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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Restaurant Recovery Funds |
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Some local bars and restaurants are still waiting to see if the Restaurant Revitalization Fund will be replenished so they can receive their grant funds. According to recent correspondence from the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC), the time may be NOW for impacted businesses to take action to get Congress to refill the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Businesses are encouraged by IRC to consider these acts:
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Call federal representatives at 202-224-3121 to demand that they refill the RRF. Give a clear and concise explanation of the hardship you and your friends in bars and restaurants have endured without adequate relief. Use IRC’s congressional outreach guide for tips on how to make a call.
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Ask customers to act by printing and distributing our "Take Out Take Action" flyer.
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To put the best foot forward in contacts with legislators and others with influence, use IRC’s state fact sheet.
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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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Established Wisconsin businesses are missing out on $4 Billion in product development grants and contracts. Don't let your business (or client) leave money on the table!
What will you learn at this event?
- How companies with 1-499 employees are able to evolve new products into business areas
- How companies can leverage, multi-million dollar grants and contracts to develop products jointly with partner companies
- And how companies out of startup mode are better positioned to win these competitive awards vs. startup developing their first product or service
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E-Seed Express: Entrepreneurship Training |
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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 from the small business and entrepreneurial community provide insight into legal, management, marketing, technology, accounting and financing aspects of operating a successful small business. Cost: $299, materials provided. |
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February 7-April 11, 2022
5:30-8:30 pm
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February 8-April 12, 2022
5:30-8:30 pm
Virtual
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February 9-April 13, 2022
2:00-5:00 pm
Virtual
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Managing the Generation Mix and Difficult Behaviors |
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‘My job would be great if it weren't for the people stuff!’ Leaders get things done through people and, yet, some of the difficult behaviors are the biggest obstacles to results. We'll brainstorm the difficult behaviors you are facing, from employees, clients or bosses, and identify strategies to cure or cope with the behavior so you can get on with getting your job done.
Friday, December 10, 2021
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
$205 | Materials provided
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Explore Starting a Business
December 8, 2021
January 12, 2022
February 9, 2022
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Work for Yourself at 50+
December 7, 2021
January 13, 2022
February 7, 2022
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1 Million Cups Appleton
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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