MadREP Report | February 24, 2021
Thank you to the more than fifty economic development professionals who gathered with us (virtually) last week to meet Jason Fields, our new president and CEO, hear his plans for the Region, and ask him a few questions. We look forward to being able to gather with you all in person soon!

We would be remiss if we didn't remind you how important our individual behavior is on the road to economic recovery. Please take care of yourselves. Practice social distancing. Wear a mask. For the latest reopening and recovery resources, be sure to check the MadREP website often.
Data Spotlight: Median Age
Median age can serve as an indicator of a region’s long-term service needs and workforce stability, with half the population being younger, and half the population being older. Because economic behavior varies at different stages of life, median age can reveal information about a population’s saving and consumption patterns, as well as productivity. Check out MadREP's Data Dashboard for more.
MadREP in the News
New MadREP CEO Jason Fields is ready to grow the...

When Jason Fields became president and CEO of the Madison Region Economic Partnership this January, he took on the challenge of growing the region's economy in a year like no other. He's only the second person to fill the role at the economic...

Read more
madison.com
Plain Talk: Passenger Rail Improvements Still a Good Idea

Paul Jadin, the former mayor of Green Bay who has just retired from heading MadREP...noted in a recent farewell column in the Wisconsin State Journal just how important infrastructure is to our future economic development.

Read more
madison.com
Mapping Wisconsin: Understand the Digital Equity Gap
As you may recall, Governor Evers created a Task Force on Broadband Access in July. In support of their activities, the Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI) is asking for help to better collect information on internet speeds throughout the state.

Specifically, they are asking each of us to take a moment to participate in an internet speed test by simply visiting speed.measurementlab.net.

While we in the Madison Region have been aware of broadband access issues for some time, this last year working and doing school from home has created some urgency around the inequities in broadband availability throughout the state.

In their recent press release, DPI explained their partnership with Measurement Lab, and invited residents to test their home internet speeds using M-Lab’s speed test. Data produced by the test provides broadband planning groups additional information to target improvements where internet performance is poor.

“By simply taking a few seconds to test their internet speed, Wisconsinites can help us close the digital equity gap in our state,” said DPI Assistant State Superintendent of the Division for Libraries and Technology Kurt Kiefer, a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access. “The data will help determine where improvements to internet need to be made and is essential to ensuring high-quality learning for all children.”

Participation is voluntary and important in helping close the digital equity gap across the state. Performing this simple test will help to paint a more accurate picture of the broadband connectivity in our state.


Four Things You Need to Know This Week
Dramatic Vision & Possible Major Changes for West Towne Mall

The changes over the past few years have been abrupt and startling at West Towne Mall. The 111,000-square-foot former Sears store is home to a Total Wine & More, Dave & Busters and, soon, Hobby Lobby.

Read more
madison.com
Madison's StartingBlock Shows Entrepreneurial Spirit

The original intent of Madison's StartingBlock was to put business owners, innovators and investors all in one place to help foster successful startups. Amid a pandemic, StartingBlock's leaders have had to show off their own entrepreneurial...

Read more
madison.com
10 Great U.S. Cities for Older Singles Looking to Date

Money magazine recently named Madison the No. 1 place to retire in America. The college town, located between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, is not just affordable — it has bustling restaurants, great natural sights along the lake shore...

Read more
www.aarp.org
Biden Administration to Revise PPP Small Business Loans

U.S. President Joe Biden launched changes on Monday to the main U.S. coronavirus aid program for small businesses to try to reach smaller, minority-owned firms and sole proprietors left behind in previous rounds of aid.

Read more
www.cnbc.com
Reopening & Recovery Resources
WEDC Reopening Guidelines

The future will require the gradual adoption of new business practices that reflect the evolving reality of the COVID-19...

Read more
wedc.org
Return to Work

Businesses must show they are prepared to keep employees, customers and other guests safe.

Read more
www.youtube.com
Greater Madison Chamber Slido

Join the Conversation! Please ask questions related to COVID-19 and business here.

Read more
app.sli.do
MadREP Partner Spotlight
Support from partners like these make our work possible. Want to get involved? Email jmoore@madisonregion.org