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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Aebi Schmidt North America Announces
Chilton M-B Companies, Inc. Expansion
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On August 21, Aebi Schmidt North America announced the expansion of their M-B Companies, Inc. manufacturing facility and offices in Chilton with a modest ground breaking event. The ground breaking marks a historic expansion that will increase capacity by 70,000 square feet for existing product lines as well as additional Aebi Schmidt products and office facilities. Advanced manufacturing capabilities will be enhanced and include line of sight improvements for even safer operations. These include metal fabrication, finish coating and a heated material storage facility. The modern facility will incorporate several employee amenities including a cafeteria, locker and training rooms. The updated offices will be a welcoming environment for all who enter with a modern office atmosphere.
This new expansion will be the home of M-B Airport Maintenance Products and North American corporate functions. It is an investment in the future and a sign to further strengthen and grow the North American business.
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Rendering of the future building. |
Left to right: Doug Blada, CEO - MB Airport Maintenance Products; Jochen Schneider, CEO Aebi Schmidt North America; and Rico Mueller, Director Business Strategy. |
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M-B Companies, Inc. was acquired by the Aebi Schmidt Group in 2018. The Aebi Schmidt Group is a global leader of smart systems and services for the treatment of mission critical infrastructural and agricultural areas. M-B‘s products contribute to the Aebi Schmidt’s strategy with an extensive range of products comprised of fabricated vehicles and innovative attachable and demountable devices.
M-B Companies, Inc., is an Aebi Schmidt Group subsidiary with four divisions: Airport Maintenance Products, Pavement Marking and Striping, Attachments, and Brushes and was founded in 1907.
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Inc. provides an annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing American private companies with the most proven track records. Thanks to the New North for compiling a list of the nine companies within the New North region that made the list, including #2,420 - Enthusiast Enterprises, Inc. of Appleton, located in the City of Appleton’s South Point Commerce Park in none other than Calumet County! Enthusiast Enterprises, Inc. operates as Custom Offsets, a custom ride and wheel enthusiast business that has experienced three-year growth of 172%.
Statewide, a total of 54 companies made the list including
- Corlfe, De Pere
- Headway, Green Bay
- Gear Up 2 Go, Appleton
- Carnivore Meat Company, Green Bay
- Enthusiast Enterprises Inc., Appleton
- Landro Fox Cities Realty, Kimberly
- Tundraland Home Improvements, Kaukauna
- Security Luebke Roofing, Appleton
- Black-Haak Heating, Greenville
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Since May, 2020, Calumet County proudly supported 10 small businesses from around the county with Calumet County Business Disaster Loans of up to $5,000 each. The three-year loans provide the businesses with six months of deferred payments at one percent interest. Each business recipient has experienced a business setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with some facing more challenging temporary circumstances than others. Loan recipients are located in Chilton (2), Hilbert (1), New Holstein and rural New Holstein (3), Menasha (1), Sherwood (2), and Stockbridge (1). The Disaster Loan fund was created using the county’s CDBG Revolving Loan repayments.
Nearly 50 businesses located throughout Calumet County and a few in neighboring communities that serve the local population applied for “We’re All In” $2,500 grants from the WEDC. As of this writing, it is our understanding that the vast majority of those grants were received from WEDC by local businesses. Calumet County’s Community Economic Development program directly helped over half of those applicants by writing acknowledgement letters of support and by assisting with various aspects of the application program. Congratulations to all the local businesses that received funds! Collectively, those grants cumulatively represent over $100,000 of support for local businesses.
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Real Estate Market Hotness Index |
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The Realtor.com Market Hotness Index exposes how local areas are experiencing fast moving supply and rising demand. Using proprietary insights on buyer activity and the most comprehensive data on active inventory, the analysis breaks down demand and supply dynamics to rank metro areas, counties and zip codes relative to the rest of the country. Realtor.com examines listing views by market as an indicator of demand and median days on market as an indicator of supply. |
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This images shows the Wisconsin market hotness index on a scale of 0 (dark blue) to 100 (dark red) for Q1 of 2020 by zip code. There are some noticeably red shades in the Fox Cities and even in certain parts of Calumet County.
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Online sales at Lowe’s surged 80% during the first quarter as homebound Americans focused on repair and improvement projects. Another big gain could be in store when second quarter results are released Wednesday when the company is sure to face questions from investors about a massive digital infrastructure expansion.
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The first online fulfillment center from Lowe's (above) near Nashville began operations two years ago. A second location is set to come online in California this October. |
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To help it keep pace with The Home Depot and other merchants benefiting from the stay-at-home boom, Lowe's is spending $1.7 billion on a long list of supply chain projects. The Home Depot has developed a digital alternative for one of its most popular programs that help it inspire future generations of doers.
The latest retail sales figures from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed modest strength and a mixed bag of results by retail sector.
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What is the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin? Nomination Time! |
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What is the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin? It is up to us to decide! Before September 4, nominate any product that is manufactured in Wisconsin, and don’t forget to come back and vote for your favorite products starting September 14!
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Reminder: Respond to the NE WI Employer Benefit Survey by August 31 |
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The Fox Cities Regional Partnership, the economic development division of the Fox Cities Chamber, announced its third annual Northeast Wisconsin Benefit Survey in an effort to help local employers in northeast Wisconsin stay competitive in the workplace. The benefit survey can be completed online. Calumet County employers are encouraged to complete the survey! Survey results are a useful way for employers to gauge their benefits offerings in comparison to others.
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Welding Equipment Expanded at KHS |
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Welding jobs continue to be in high demand.
According to American Welding Society (AWS) estimates, by 2023 there will be a shortage of more than 375,000 welders nationwide. While this is an industry challenge, the shortage also presents an opportunity.
As a result, Kiel High School (KHS), Lakeshore Technical College (LTC), Miller Electric and Amerequip have joined together to develop a program rarely if ever seen in a rural school district. It includes state-of-the-art welders, a high-tech lab environment, a variety of classes, technical college credits, and paid apprenticeship opportunities.
“The lack of welders is a big challenge for local manufacturers,” said Amerequip President/CEO Mike VanderZanden. “We need welders to expand and grow our business, and we know high school is when many young people are thinking about jobs and careers. If they aren’t exposed to welding at that point, they might not think about it at all. This private-public collaboration changes the dynamic.”
Kiel Public Schools Superintendent Brad Ebert added, “While Kiel High School traditionally offers a welding program, it has been small in size with only five welding stations, which limited our ability to teach this in-demand skill. Now, thanks to this collaboration, we are expanding the program to better serve students and our community employers.”
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FREE Business Counseling Available to Calumet County Businesses |
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Business counseling is available through the Small Business Development Center. Ray York is eager to serve entrepreneurs and start-ups that are considering going in to business, and it isn’t too late for businesses feeling the effects of COVID-19 to contact the SBDC. Use the online contact form, or reach Ray by phone (920-946-9379) or email. |
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A Long-Standing Vacant Tavern to Reopen Under New Name |
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The Hilbert Village Board granted an alcohol beverage license to the long-vacant tavern at Third and Main Streets in downtown Hilbert. When it opens, it will become Two Pair of Dice.
(Ed Byrne/Brillion News)
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CRW Insurance and Financial Services Presents Goodies |
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CRW Insurance & Financial Services of New Holstein, along with Erie Insurance, surprised some of the local eye clinics, dentists, chiropractors, and doctor offices in Chilton, Kiel, and New Holstein who have been working to keep the community safe. The staff at these facilities were gifted with a basket of various goodies including local Chamber Bucks to treat their teams to lunch (and further support the community). Also in the baskets were ear savers donated by Creative Sign Company Inc. to help ease the behind-the-ear irritation of wearing masks all day. CRW Insurance employees said they are extremely grateful for the monetary donation from Erie Insurance to provide the opportunity to support the community. Scott Wink of CRW presents a basket to Dr. Cheryl Roers of Your Family Eye Care. |
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Special Olympics Donation |
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Professional Plating announced it has made a donation last week to Special Olympics of Wisconsin in honor of the company’s Professional Plating Truck Drivers. They have an event coming up that uses a Truck Convoy to raise funds to help support the cost of 10,000 Special Olympic athletes who participate in year-round sporting events and practices. The company donated $500 for the cause. “We are grateful for our drivers and find this a very worthy cause in their honor,” PPI General Manager Larry Dietz said. Shown accepting the check from Larry Dietz, General Manager of ProPlating for the Special Olympics of Wisconsin is Brillion’s Hannah Roehrig, Special Events Assistant for the Special Olympics Team. |
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Big Steps Taken to Address Big Need |
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Congratulations to Kiel High School, Amerequip, Lakeshore Technical College, and Miller Electric for their partnership which has brought multiple new welding bays and equipment to KHS shop area.
Multiple TV cameras were rolling on Monday morning as the new equipment arrived and began to get set up. This is big news–not just for KHS students who will be returning to school in a few weeks, but for all area manufacturers for many years to come.
According to American Welding Society (AWS) estimates, by 2023 there will be a shortage of more than 375,000 welders nationwide. The shortage is already here and has been felt for a number of years by local manufacturers.
Mike VanderZanden, president and CEO of Amerequip with plants in Kiel and New Holstein has been one of the leaders of the charge to get more young people interested in the trades – especially welding which is critical to the growth of Amerequip. Because of the efforts of people like VanderZanden and many, many others, that tide definitely seems to be turning. High school students are realizing that they can get immediate, high paying jobs close to home and without piling up tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt.
As a matter of fact, there is more to Monday morning’s news than the delivery of a lot of new equipment. This welding program at KHS also offers dual credits with LTC, paid apprenticeships at Amerequip, and full funding of any necessary continuing education for students.
Again, other area companies stand to benefit from this program as well. Ron Schneider, welding instructor at KHS, said there are five companies in Kiel that do a lot of welding and close to 10 more in the surrounding area which do. The more trained welders in the area job market, the better for all these companies.
Monday morning’s events at KHS were another step in what has been years of work by a lot of people. What is really outstanding is that a problem was identified–a shortage of welders–and then big steps were taken to provide a possible solution. The dividends will pay off in this area for years to come.
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Appleton Public Library adds Business Program to Support Immigrants, People of Color |
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Most people think of books when they think of libraries, but they're evolving into places that also offer support for business owners and entrepreneurs.
The Appleton Public Library received about $65,000 earlier this month through the American Library Association to add more services for local businesses. The library is one of 13 across the nation to earn the funding through a Google.org initiative called Libraries Build Business.
Adriana McCleer, community partnerships supervisor, said the library is using the grant for a program called Small Business-Big Impact, which will support business startup, retention, and expansion efforts for people of color and immigrants.
“There are disparities in access to resources,” she said. “We saw an opportunity for the library to create a hub of information sharing between organizations that are already doing this great work.”
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The library currently offers online courses, market research databases, books and other materials for businesses and entrepreneurs. The new program will highlight the resources and include a series of group and one-to-one programs with an expert. |
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Village of Hilbert Receives CDBG Funds |
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The Village of Hilbert will receive nearly $710,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the WI Department of Administration. Of that grant award, $491,000 comes from the competitive state CDBG Public Facilities grant program, while $215,000 in matching CDBG CLOSE funds were provided by Calumet County. Congratulations to the Village of Hilbert! The funds will allow the village to eliminate blights conditions at the former Bel Brands site. |
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New Holstein Community Development Authority Update |
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On August 17, VandeWalle and Associates shared a presentation with members of the New Holstein Community Development Authority regarding the city’s draft feasibility plan for redeveloping the former Tecumseh property in the community. The plan included an overview of such potential uses as multi-family housing, senior housing, light industrial, ag-related tourism, and brewing, among others. The City of New Holstein hired VandeWalle and Associates earlier in 2020 to complete a market analysis of the former Tecumseh property using grant funding received by the city from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. A completed report will be presented to the city soon. |
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Hilbert Extends TIF for ‘Affordable Housing’ |
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The Hilbert Village Board is extending the life of its Tax Incremental District No. 1 by one year, under a provision of state tax increment financing law that lets a district that has reached maturation extend to fund improvements in its housing stock.
At its meeting on Monday evening, the village board passed a resolution that extends the life of the district by one year. By doing that, the TID will generate an additional $116,000 of revenue that will be set aside for future use to benefit affordable housing anywhere in the village.
“That’s what this resolution does,” Village Administrator Dennis DuPrey said. “It extends it for an additional year.” The resolution identifies four possible initiatives to improve the housing stock in the village:
- Creation of a first-time home buyer program to assist qualifying individuals with their first home purchase.
- Creation of a down-payment assistance program to help qualifying buyers purchase a home.
- Creation of a housing rehabilitation program to help qualifying individuals with the rehabilitation of existing “affordable” housing stock.
- Provide financial support for the construction of new affordable housing.
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The Job Center of Wisconsin keeps an updated list of jobs for job seekers. It is searchable by type of position and community.
- The City of Brillion, population 3,400, is hiring an Administrator/Community Development Director. Applications are accepted through August 31. Get more information.
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Manpower has a number of immediate temporary openings at Sargento. Click here for details.
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Webinar: September 1, 10:00 to 11:00 am |
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Designed for new and experienced exporters, Wisconsin Go Global Initiative’s new Export Pro Series of webinars and events kicks off on September 1. The Initiative’s mission is to provide no-cost export assistance to any Wisconsin company looking for opportunities to growth via international markets. The inaugural webinar is entitled Market Identification, Prioritization and Research Programs.
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Helping Wisconsin Manufacturers Grow Their Business Through Exporting |
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Start growing your business through exporting with a customized, action-oriented export expansion strategy. ExporTech is a proven path to exporting success. Graduates have achieved sales increases averaging $900,000 within six to nine months after completing the program.
ExporTech™ is a 12 week virtual program with group and customized personal coaching between sessions. Sessions start September 28, 2020.
- Group Session One – the week of September 28; Monday – Friday 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm Daily
- Group Session Two – the week of October 26; Monday – Friday 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm Daily
- Group Session Three – the week of December 14; Monday – Friday 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm Daily
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Businesses Seeking Employees Encouraged to Participate in September 17 Drive Thru Job Fair |
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Following the very successful July Drive Thru Job Fairs held in Oshkosh and Green Bay, the Department of Workforce Development will host two more Job Fairs in Menasha and Fond du Lac on Thursday, September 17. Businesses looking to hire employees are encouraged to consider participating in one or both virtual events. |
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To help Wisconsin companies make connections in South Korea, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is organizing a virtual Global Trade Venture consisting of online meetings between Wisconsin companies and potential partners in South Korea, from November 2 - December 4, 2020. Among world economies, South Korea is the 12th-largest overall, with a GDP of $1.7 trillion and a population of 52 million. South Korea ranked eighth among Wisconsin export destinations in 2019, receiving a total of $545 million in Wisconsin exports. Top categories of exports from Wisconsin to South Korea in 2019 were industrial machinery (19%), medical and scientific instruments (14%), meat products (11%), electrical machinery (6%) and pharmaceuticals (5%).
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Virtual Entrepreneurial Training Program |
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Successful business owners have a plan — let us help you build yours!
Whether your business is growing or brand-new, writing a business plan is critical to building a profitable venture, especially to attract financing from lenders or investors.
The Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is eight efficient sessions to help you develop a plan for a thriving, profitable business. In this program, you will learn to identify customers, determine their needs and analyze that information into a feasible plan for starting or growing your business.
Dates: Thursdays, September 24 - November 19, 2020 | 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Zoom
Fees: $200 with successful application, plus book purchase $50. Due to safety concerns, the enrollment fee is temporarily reduced to accommodate each ETP participant to buy their own book.
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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.
You will learn about:
- Small business ownership - is it right for you?
- Identifying and analyzing your industry, competition and market
- Legal issues facing business owners
- Bookkeeping and accounting systems
- Networking with other peers, small business owners, entrepreneurs and business leaders
Mondays, September 14 - November 16, 2020
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Finance Your Business, the Right Way |
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Give yourself permission and time to fully understand your business financials and make better decisions.
Join the FVTC Venture Center and SCORE Fox Cities for this NEW, dynamic series. Discover how to receive the loan or investment you need to launch your startup or grow your small business. This workshop series is for startup and growth companies in all life stages and within all industries.
You will learn about:
- The lender concept, use of a risk rating & what makes a good rating vs a poor one
- How daily business decisions create the cash flow of business
- Ways to create better short-term and long-term cash flow
- Successful techniques to negotiate with lenders and how to choose the right lender for you and your business
- The value and benefits of projections supported with written assumptions
- Submitting your financial request by presenting to a panel of lenders for feedback and insight
Dates: Mondays, September 14 - October 5, 2020
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Explore Starting a Business
September 9, 2020
October 6, 2020
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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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