Focus on Calumet

A bi-weekly update on economic development in the Calumet County region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.
Monday | February 27, 2023
With a Now-open Nordic Skiing Center, a New Ariens Headquarters and a Health Care Partner, Brillion Begins to Make Good on its Ambitious Reinvention Plan
By Karl Ebert, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 16, 2023
On a brisk winter morning in January, Mark Nemetz and Steve Peplinski strapped on their skis and headed out to train for this year's American Birkebeiner nordic ski race.

They'd driven to Brillion that morning from the Green Bay area. Never mind that grass was poking through a light snow cover and bare spots were visible along the road to the Ariens Nordic Center outside Brillion.

While other eastern Wisconsin ski areas struggled with only a couple traces of snow on the ground after the rain had washed away the early winter accumulation, the nordic center was open for business, offering 3.5 kilometers of trails covered with a base of up to 30 inches of man-made snow. The center, which opened in January, is the newest of only four nordic skiing locations in the state with snow-making equipment.
The Buzz About Brillion Public Schools
By Brillion Public Schools Staff for The Brillion News, February 16, 2023
Preparation for college and careers starts early at Brillion High School (BHS). Students have many opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school, and to participate in youth apprenticeships in their career pathways of choice.

Students seeking to earn college credit can do so in several ways. Advanced Placement (AP) classes are offered nationwide, and the credits earned transfer to many colleges and universities. Students in these courses take college-level material in classes taught by their high school teacher, and then take a national exam in May to earn their course credits.

Dual credit courses are another option for students. Brillion partners with both UW-Oshkosh and Fox Valley Technical College for these courses. Students enroll in these institutions to take college courses taught right at BHS by their high school teachers. They earn both high school and college credit and can transfer the college credits they earn to many other colleges and universities.
Recent Reports Indicate Economic Strength in Wisconsin
Recent reports and analyses of Wisconsin’s economy indicate economic strength, even amid a potential recession.

Wisconsin’s unemployment rates are resting at 2.9% — lower than the national average of 3.5%, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Across the nation, there have been increases in employment in healthcare, hospitality and healthcare sectors, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Wisconsin has strong labor force participation, with 66.5% of the population employed as of May 2022, according to Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development. 
2023 Wisconsin Rural Economic Summit
Using the latest research and data specific to Wisconsin’s rural communities and regions, we will focus on the Wisconsin rural economy. The Wisconsin Rural Economic Summit is a virtual event and includes presentations of the latest economic and demographic trends across rural communities, an examination of entrepreneurship, and a discussion of what rural communities can do to foster economic growth and development. The summit will include presentations on:

  • Status of the Wisconsin Rural Economy
  • Status of the Rural Wisconsin Labor Market
  • Rural Wisconsin Entrepreneurship
  • Stories of Success in Rural Communities: Panel of State Partners
  • Innovative Approaches to Rural Economic Development

This event is virtual and free to the public. 
Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (CST)
New North's Rebecca Deschane Elected to WEDA Board of Directors
Will share her expertise in talent development to statewide organization, represent region
NEW NORTH, February 16, 2023 – Rebecca Deschane, vice president of talent development for New North Inc., the regional marketing and economic development corporation for the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, has been elected to the board of directors of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA). The board election took place at WEDA’s annual meeting, held on Feb. 2 during the annual Governor’s Conference on Economic Development.
 
“I am honored to join the WEDA board of directors and support their ongoing efforts to advocate for the economic well-being for all in Wisconsin,” says Deschane. “I’m excited about the opportunity to further collaborate with colleagues from across the state to help drive innovative economic- and talent-development solutions that advance economic growth in the great state of Wisconsin.”
WI Fast Forward Grant Program Accepting Applications
The Department of Workforce Development's Office of Skills Development (OSD) is accepting applications for the Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Program.
 
This grant program is designed to help fund the development of innovative and collaborative customized worker training programs. Grant offerings have been designed into a single grant opportunity, "Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants."
 
Key features of this grant program:
  • Grants are available to all industry sectors and companies of any size;
  • Grant award amounts range from $5,000 to $400,000;
  • Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the grant award amount is required;
  • Grantee must complete training of at least 85% of the contracted number of trainees; and
  • At least 65% of trainees must be placed in positions with the placement partner(s) identified in the grant application that require the skills taught in the provided training; and
  • At least 75% of incumbent trainees receive increased wages.
Community Updates
New Holstein: A Technical Assistance team, through an EPA grant, put on a design workshop to develop a potential redevelopment plan for downtown New Holstein on February 15 through 17. The final plan is expected to be released in the next month.
Business Support
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
Gener8tor Skills is offering our no-cost Project Management curriculum beginning on Monday, March 27, 2023
Project Management is an in-demand skill across industries that is attractive to those seeking a career change. Participants will receive:
  • Industry-leading training
  • 1:1 virtual assistance with Résumés, Cover Letters, Interview Prep, LinkedIn & More
  • Placement assistance and access to our Employer Network

How can you help?
  • Encourage a client, friend or family member to apply

This is a free, 6-week program offered through the support of Microsoft and the Bay Area Workforce Development Board. No prior experience or degree is required. Friday, March 19, 2023, is the deadline to apply. 
Want to learn more about how gener8tor Skills programs help change lives in Northeast W?
Entrepreneurial Training Program - Spring 2023 - Virtual (Zoom)

 
The Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is offered by the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center's UW-Stevens Point and UW-Green Bay. It is a 9-week course that provides an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process that shows you how to: 
  • Answer the question – "Will people buy my product or service?" 
  • Appeal to more customers 
  • Develop a lender-ready business plan 
  • Use time, money, and resources wisely 
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.

Please share with others who may benefit from this newsletter.
If you receive a forwarded copy of this newsletter and no longer want to receive it, please contact the person who e-mailed the newsletter and ask to be removed from their list; do not use the unsubscribe feature.