Focus on Calumet

A bi-weekly update on economic development in the Calumet County region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.
Monday | August 1, 2022
(Left to right): New North’s Barbara Koldos was joined in the New North booth by Angela Jellum of the Ariens Nordic Center and Mary Kohrell, Calumet County Economic Development.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and serves as the membership convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association. The event has an annual economic impact of $170 million collectively to the five New North counties of Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Calumet and Brown, according to a study of the 2017 event by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Calumet County and New North Inc. Highlighted Region's "Cool Stuff" at EAA AirVenture
2022 Visitors to “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” were able to stop by the New North booth, located in Epic Aircraft Exhibit Hanger C, to learn more about the region’s innovation. Themed “Cool things take flight in Northeast Wisconsin,” the booth featured innovative and cool products, places and people from the region. Calumet County was one of five local economic-development organizations from across the New North region that joined New North Inc. staff to highlight “cool stuff” from their respective areas. During Calumet County’s time in the booth, Ariens Nordic Center, New Holstein Airport, and tourism opportunities in Calumet County were the primary focus. Calumet’s amenities were well-received by the attendees.

The booth is a preview of New North’s “Cool Stuff in Wisconsin’s Northeast” campaign, set to launch later this year. Being developed by the New North Marketing & Branding Committee, the initiative will be tailored to audiences outside the region and designed to resonate with defined personas based on their specific areas of interest. A special page on the New North website that highlights the “cool stuff” in the region went live in conjunction with EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. 
Ariens Company's $50 Million Project to Rebuild Brillion's Economy
By: Nina Sparano, NBC26 News, July 28, 2022
While businesses continue to struggle with worker shortages, economic experts say communities lacking affordable housing have led to a cycle of unfulfilled jobs and a weakened economy.

One homegrown company in northeast Wisconsin is thinking outside of the box, combining rural jobs, rural housing, and promising economic growth. >>Read More
Photo courtesy of NBC 26.
Automation Support for Manufacturers
As manufacturing businesses look for solutions to the long-term labor force shortage, automation continues to increase in importance. Automation can help manufacturers increase productivity, bridge labor shortages, increase the reliability of production, enhance quality, and improve workforce engagement while accelerating profit growth.

Integrating automation into a manufacturing facility provides the flexibility to redeploy good workers where they can deliver the most value and more fully engage them. Whether implementing collaborative work, manually-loaded process stations or full-lights out systems, automation compliments your workforce.

Manufacturers thinking about automation are encouraged to check out the Wisconsin Automation Implementation Grant and WMEP’s AutomationAdvisor.
Workforce Development Opportunity:
Act Now to Connect with Future Talent
Calumet County Economic Development has partnerships with Inspire Wisconsin and CESA’s Youth Apprenticeship programs. These programs continue to make Calumet County students Career Ready through direct participation with local employers. Employers, don’t miss this opportunity to get connected to future talent now. 
Wisconsin Not Back to Pre-Pandemic Job Levels
State Still Down 63,000 Jobs Since the End of 2019
Looking at this image, it appears Calumet County is a positive anomaly in WI, with data showing 6% growth between Q4 2019 - 2021. However, closer examination of the detailed data indicates the presumed success is much more likely due to a record-keeping change in the automotive and retail business sectors than actual significant job growth.  
The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) reports quarterly figures on the number of establishments, employment levels and wages from a variety of geographic and industrial perspectives. As noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the QCEW includes figures for workers who are covered by state unemployment insurance laws as well as Federal workers working under the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) program. In total, the QCEW program counts more than 95 percent of jobs across national, state, metropolitan and county levels.

Fourth quarter 2021 (Q4 2021) QCEW figures from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development provide perspectives on how employment has changed during the pandemic. A comparison of employment levels between Q4 2019 (the last full quarter before the pandemic started during Q1 2020) and Q4 2021 shows a decline of -2.2% or a loss of 63,000 jobs. For comparison purposes, Wisconsin lost more than 259,000 jobs between the first and second quarters of 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. >>Read More

End of an Era: Randy's Central Closing
By David Nordby, The Brillion News, 7/21/22
A lot of people have told Randy Ryoti that his Randy’s Central restaurant in downtown Brillion is like the hit 1980s sitcom “Cheers.”

“There’s some truth to it,” Ryoti says. Since Oct. 14, 1993, Randy’s Central on Jackson Street in the heart of downtown was a comfortable place where everyone knew each other’s name. Ryoti, and his wife Sharon, will serve the restaurant’s final meals between now and July 30. An unnamed buyer has purchased the building, which Ryoti purchased just shy of 30 years ago, after its first life as United States Post Office. Ryoti, 79, is now saying a bittersweet goodbye. >>Read More
Grant Opportunities
Main Street Bounceback Grants
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.
New Round of Dairy Business Builder Grants in September
A new round of Dairy Business Builder grants is coming in September 2022 for small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, manufacturers, and processors in 11 Upper Midwestern states including Wisconsin. The funding is administered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA). The reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each aim to support recipients in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy byproducts, and creating or enhancing dairy export programs. Application materials for the Dairy Business Builder grants will be made available September 19, 2022 online and are due November 10, 2022.
Calumet County Business Assistance
WWBIC Training & Programs Catalog
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. 

WWBIC’s focus is on individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional financing or resources in pursuit of their dreams and economic well-being … in particular women, people of color, veterans, rural and lower wealth individuals. >>View WWBIC's Training and Programs Catalog
Business Start-Up and Expansion Assistance
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.
Upcoming Events
WEDA Academy Placemaking: Creating Your Quality Space
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022 - 1:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
As the post-pandemic world takes shape, the arts, culture, and creativity are not separate from the overall priorities of the state – they are vital to the well-being and future of Wisconsin, its people, and its communities. Through placemaking strategies, communities collaboratively work to build strong connections between people and the places where they live and work. These efforts can provide a foundation for building vibrant communities with a strong quality of life, enhancing efforts to successfully attract and retain businesses, talent and residents.
 
>>Register today for this exciting 90-minute course, which will be held virtually on Wednesday, August 3 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. >>CLICK HERE to review the course overview and instructor bios.

E-seed Express: Entrepreneurship Training at FVTC
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

Business & Industry Complimentary Training
Fox Valley Technical College offers a variety of small business-oriented free training and seminars monthly. Please visit their website to view their calendar of classes.

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