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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Monday, December 14, 2020 |
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Register by December 23 for Virtual Business-Education Seminar |
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The Calumet County Business Education Partnership and CESA 6 are hosting a Virtual Business Education Seminar -- a unique professional development opportunity connecting classroom teachers to the workplace.
The virtual seminar will take place on Friday, February 19, from 8:15 to 11:00 am. Employers are invited to promote their company to local educators from Chilton, Hilbert, New Holstein, Stockbridge, and Valders School Districts by participating in a panel discussing significant trends, skill requirements, and career opportunities within their particular industry.
Over 200 educators from the five area school districts will be participating in this event. This first-hand interaction is often a transformative professional development experience for educators and the students they serve and inspire.
Employers that participate will be able to:
- Highlight workforce needs to local educators
- Increase exposure for their organization
- Recruit potential workforce through educators
- Influence local school curriculum offerings to better prepare for future workforce demands
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Create lasting partnerships
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MUG NEWS’ Top Ten Startups in Wisconsin |
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Startups #1-8 are also featured in the MUG NEWS article, but we’re most proud of Brillion’s #9 and Calumet County resident Mike Harper with Appleton business #10! Congratulations, guys!
Alpha Dog Nutrition manufactures and sells nutritional supplement products to develop the body and hunting skills of the customers' dogs. Founded in 2017 by Joe Scott, Alpha Dog Nutrition was established in Brillion, a small town in Northeast Wisconsin. This rural enterprise represents a significant new opportunity for the region.
Proceed.app provides software that helps create learning materials for small- and medium-sized businesses using visual media, as opposed to text-based materials. Andrew Schmitz, Mike Harper, and Darren Koutnik founded the company in early 2019 after generating the concept at a local bar in Oshkosh. Instead of telling people what to do, the company motto is: “Show them what to do.”
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Study Finds NE WI Manufacturers Bullish in 2021 for Sales and Hiring |
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The Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Manufacturing Alliance announced its 11th annual “Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Vitality Index Study” at its quarterly membership meeting on December 8.
Mike Kawleski, public affairs manager for Georgia-Pacific and chair of the Alliance’s Communications Taskforce, shared the results of the study, which serves as an indication of the strength and vitality of manufacturing employers in the New North. “This year’s report finds that although the pandemic did impact some manufacturers, overall manufacturers are bullish about 2021. They plan to invest in their businesses and expect strong sales growth,” reported Kawleski. “In addition, almost half are planning to hire in the first quarter of 2021. The biggest issue is that the skills shortage continues to be of great concern, especially in machinist occupations.”
In total, 128 manufacturers participated in the survey conducted in October and November 2020, answering questions related to financial health, business growth expansion, plant modernization, 2021 hiring intentions and potential skills shortages. Respondents said their companies are financially solid, with 92 percent projecting their firms’ financial health in the next 6 to 12 months will be “healthy” or “quite healthy.” In 2020, during the pandemic 41% stated that they had a decrease in sales, however 40% stated they had an increase. Manufacturers believe that they will have strong growth in sales in 2021 with 73% expecting an increase in sales. Over half of the companies surveyed plan on investing in plant modernization. In addition, one in four manufacturers report they will be investing in expanding their plants.
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Note: The Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance continues to provide exceptional support for manufacturers in NE WI on a broad array of issues. Calumet County manufacturers are strongly encouraged to check out their resources and consider a membership. It will be money well spent.
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WMC: New Report Promotes Economic Growth and Workforce Development in Rural Wisconsin |
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Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Foundation’s Future Wisconsin Project released its “Revitalizing Rural Wisconsin” report in early December in an effort to bring attention to policies and ideas that can promote economic growth and workforce development in rural Wisconsin. The new publication identifies a number of economic challenges facing rural Wisconsin and provides strategies and ideas that can help revitalize portions of the Badger State outside of metropolitan areas like Milwaukee and Madison.
WMC Foundation – an affiliate of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) – announced its focus on rural prosperity at its annual Future Wisconsin Summit in December 2019. Following the Summit, WMC Foundation conducted research among employers throughout rural Wisconsin to better understand the business community’s concerns and discuss potential solutions.
The report highlights five challenges facing rural Wisconsin:
- Limited workforce availability
- Gaps in broadband
- Stress on legacy industries
- Lack of new housing
- Affordability of healthcare
“While the challenges facing rural Wisconsin may not be new, that does not diminish the need for action,” said WMC Foundation Executive Director Wade Goodsell. “Thanks to the hard work of the Future Wisconsin Project Steering Committee, this report details a number of best practices and strategies that will put rural Wisconsin on the path to prosperity once again.”
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Calumet County COVID-19 Testing Site Transitioning to New Process |
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With the end of the Wisconsin National Guard (WING) testing sites, Calumet County has secured ThedaCareMobile to administer COVID testing on an appointment basis which is open to the public. Each Thursday for the near future, Calumet County is utilizing a new federal mobile testing asset being operated by ThedaCare. This “self-swab” and appointment-only registration process will operate at Christ the Rock Community Church from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, weather permitting. Christ the Rock Community Church is located at W6254 US-10/114, Menasha, WI 54952.
The drive-through testing is free and available to any community member experiencing symptoms, possibly exposed to someone with COVID-19, or concerned about the chance of having the virus. Individuals must pre-register online at doineedacovid19test.com. Individuals under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian present to consent to testing. Results will be available online, or if necessary, through a phone call. Check the county’s website for other COVID-19 resources.
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Additional Date for 2020-2021 Seasonal Flu Shots |
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This year, more than ever, flu shots are highly recommended. Safe and inexpensive, the influenza (flu) vaccine is a great way to protect our local workforce and their families.
On December 15, Calumet County Public Health is offering flu shots by appointment which can be scheduled by calling Calumet County Public Health at 920-849-1432.
For most adults and children with insurance coverage, the vaccine costs $40. People covered by Medicare or children where the health insurance does not cover the vaccine can receive a flu shot free.
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Appleton’s economic development plans continue to roll along. From downtown housing developments and industrial warehouses to entertainment venues and a reimagined library, the pandemic has not slowed economic development projects in the City of Appleton.
One of the largest projects underway is at the intersection of Midway Road and Eisenhower Drive, where the F Street Group has begun construction on a new 218,240-square-foot industrial warehouse building.
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The F Street Group is building a 218,240-square-foot industrial warehouse in Appleton's Southpoint Commerce Park. |
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F Street owns 50 acres in the Southpoint Commerce Park and plans to lease the building to businesses looking for warehouse and distribution space. Once the first building is leased, construction will begin on another building with plans calling for construction of up to four facilities, says Mike Doney, F Street’s director of marketing.
“The plan over the next three phases is building an additional 750,000 square feet, bringing it up to almost 1 million square feet” of warehouse space, he says, adding construction will cost about $13 million, with buildouts for tenants taking the final costs higher.
“We chose Appleton (for this project) because of the continuous growth trend in the area with regards to industry and workforce talent, while also focusing on areas with low vacancy rates and pent-up demand for industrial product,” Doney says.
F Street will use almost $2 million in commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) to finance energy efficiency measures for the construction of the site’s first building. The project represents Calumet County’s first C-PACE project since adopting the program last year.
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Note: Keep up your great work, Appleton! |
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Calumet County Business 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 email. |
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The multi-story City Center apartment complex in downtown Brillion is taking shape. Construction workers are seen working on the top story earlier this week. (David Norby, The Brillion News)
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Brillion City Administrator Retires |
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Retiring city administrator Lori Gosz smiled as she received flowers and gifts from the city and community during last week’s meeting. Gosz has been working with the city for two decades and says she plans to spend more time traveling, camping, and with family. (David Nordby/BN)
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TOWN OF RANTOUL – The North Pole Christmas display that began in Troy Campbell’s yard at his home in Kaukauna has moved south. Not to palm tree country, but definitely in a southerly direction, namely in the Killsnake Country on Lemke Road at the southeast corner of Rantoul.
The story has made TV news in the area, but “there’s more to the story.” Troy Campbell, who started the big display and Christmas light show 15 years ago, moved his whole life and family to the small farm on Lemke Road.
The story begins with Campbell being a truck driver who suffered a career-ending injury - a broken neck. “After that, I was unable to work,” he said.
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On Monday, the Chilton Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Official North Pole as a new “not-for-profit” chamber member. The award was made at the indoor maze of Christmas-themed displays at the North Pole’s new location on the Town of Rantoul. Margaret and Troy Campbell (l-r) were given their certificate of membership by chamber President Jamie Wieting. (Ed Byrne/BN)
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When he was in the hospital, some fellow dressed in a Santa suit made his rounds cheering people up, and the idea of building up some homemade Christmas cheer grew in Campbell’s mind and heart.
He also had twin sons who were disabled – one on a ventilator, the other autistic. Campbell was also aware of the elderly in nursing homes and other people for whom cheer is a rare thing, and decided he would try to send some joy their way.
“I devoted my life to trying to change the world, to make it a better place for these people who co-exist with us,” he said.
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Dick’s Family Foods Received $10,000 Grant from Sherwood CDA for Stormwater Drainage System |
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Sherwood's CDA gave Dick's Family Foods a $10,000 matching grant for a $24,000 parking lot storm water draining project. The new drainage system is located behind the store's marquee sign. (Brian Roebke photo, Times Villager)
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The coming year promises to be one of record expansion for Dollar General after the company said it would open 1,051 new stores in 2021. The news came amid another quarter of double digit same store sales growth, aggressive remodeling activity, and heightened efforts to leverage the digital potential of an ever expanding store base.
Walgreens is looking for a larger share of consumer goods companies' ad budgets. It created the Walgreens Advertising Group to help brands target the more than 100 million people in its loyalty program.
Payment technology and retail services firm NCR is offering some interesting predictions for 2021, several of which touch on profound changes in supply chain and digital initiatives.
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2021 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development |
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Equity in Economic Development
The 2021 WEDA Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, which will be held VIRTUALLY this year on February 3 -5, will address equity in economic development while exploring ways to support businesses, large and small, during difficult economic times. The conference will highlight Wisconsin businesses that have met the new demands of this past year with creative, collaborative approaches and explore the unique challenges faced by minority and women-owned businesses.
The Governor’s Conference is the biggest WEDA education and networking event of the year. Be sure to take a look at this year’s comprehensive agenda and plan to attend. We look forward to having you join us!
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Registration is Now Open! |
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Future Fox Cities 2021 is 100% Virtual!
Join us Wednesday, March 3, for our annual career fair in a new virtual format, that you will LOVE! Future Fox Cities Career Expo 2021 will feature:
- An event landing page and lobby
- A virtual auditorium with employer led webinars
- A scavenger hunt and leader board
- Employer profiles and other downloadable content
- A virtual help desk
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Explore Starting a Business
January 13, 2021
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Work for Yourself at 50+
December 17, 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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