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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Wisconsin Tomorrow – Building an Economy for All
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Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has released “ Wisconsin Tomorrow – Building an Economy for All” which proposes a comprehensive recovery framework centered on economic well-being, as shown in the image on the right. This is a companion follow-up document to the June, 2020, report “Wisconsin Tomorrow – an Economy for All” which documented the impact of COVID-19 on our key industries and the economy.
Because of WEDC’s unique position as a bridge between the public and private sector, Governor Evers asked WEDC to return to its report and outline a strategy for recovery that takes the important lessons learned during the early stages of the pandemic and translates them into action. Central to this strategy is the most important lesson of the pandemic — that people are the engine of our economy. An economy of the future must be powered by Wisconsinites, but must also serve Wisconsinites. The report proposes next steps and invites participation from everyone with a stake in Wisconsin’s economy to be part of the solution.
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DWD Releases Wisconsin Economy and Workforce 2020 Report
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The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Office of Economic Advisors has just published the Wisconsin Economy and Workforce 2020 report, an overview of the economic story of 2020 and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning with a breakdown of impacts on the state and an overview of sales tax collection data, this report also touches on long-term trends that have accelerated during the pandemic, like telework and the availability of broadband, and increased automation throughout various industries. It also includes briefs on Wisconsin's 11 Workforce Development Areas, showing a variety of impacts at the regional level.
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As shown in the report, Wisconsin employment sectors experienced extreme differences throughout 2020 depending on the type of employment, with leisure and hospitality jobs affected the most significantly.
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As reported previously in this newsletter, the American Rescue Plan Act includes $28.6 billion in grants to support independent restaurants and bars. This grant program will be administered by the Small Business Administration, and neither application details nor timeline are currently available. The Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) ( www.saverestaurants.com) has developed what are currently the most comprehensive resources about this program. Restaurants and bars in Calumet County will be kept informed about this program, but interested businesses are encouraged to check out the IRC’s website for the most current details. One of the most important recent achievements is that grant applicants are no longer being required to get a DUNS number or establish a SAM.GOV account.
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COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Updates
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COVID Vaccination: The Calumet County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic (St. Martin Lutheran Church, 717 Memorial Drive, Chilton, WI) is open to all individuals, age 16 and over. Youth, ages 16 and 17, are required to have a parent or guardian with them to sign paperwork and be present during vaccination.
Appointments can be scheduled online (preferred method) beginning at 10:00 am on Mondays. The site registration site will remain open until all appointments are filled. Alternative registration can be made by calling (920) 849-1466.
Additional vaccine clinics in our regional area can be viewed here.
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COVID Testing: Calumet County currently offers a FREE drive-thru testing site utilizing a federal mobile testing unit operated by ThedaCare. This “self-swab” and appointment-only registration process operates
- Thursdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Christ the Rock Church Community Church, W6254 US Highway 10/114, Menasha
Anyone experiencing symptoms, those who believe they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, and anyone who is worried about possibly having the virus can be tested. The site is open to anyone regardless of county of residence, and testing is not limited to ThedaCare patients.
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Mask Use: The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Governor Evers’ Public Health emergency orders addresses the authority the Governor has to issue such orders, not if face coverings are needed or effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Although Calumet County has not issued a countywide mask mandate at this time, the Calumet County Public Health Officer strongly recommends personal responsibility for the continued use of all measures identified by the WI DHS and the CDC. These measures include wearing a mask, social distancing, and frequent handwashing. It is important to note that individual communities and businesses are still able to require masks. Calumet County continues to require masks inside all county buildings.
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Vaccine Guidance for Businesses
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Employers can play an important role in supporting COVID-19 vaccination. A 2021 survey by WEDC and WI DHS found that for WI workers, their employers, and coworkers are among the most trusted sources of information about vaccines. Employers are in the best position to protect their organization, customers, clients, and staff from COVID-19. WEDC encourages employers to review a state-created toolkit to help foster communication, develop policies, and/or implement programs to encourage vaccination against COVID-19 among their workforce to keep employees, their families, and the community safe and healthy.
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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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Aging & Disability Resource Center Needs Your Input
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Calumet County’s ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center) is working on a state-required three-year aging plan. This plan consists of goals the department creates based on the needs of the aging and disabled residents of all our local communities. Please help our ADRC by taking their survey.
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The Village of Harrison recently considered a proposal from a private developer, Atlas Development, to construct a series of storage units near the intersection of Highways 10 and N. They also gave preliminary consideration to another multi-family residential development, Lake Park Estates, to potentially be built on Lake Park Road south of County AP. That area has seen considerable recent development of multi-family units.
The Village of Sherwood board reviewed a preliminary concept plan for what would be its second planned unit development, Feather Crest Estates, a complex of 10 duplexes proposed to be built along Hwy 55/114 near Wanick Park.
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Tripling in Size: Manufacturing, Office Expansions in Homestretch at MB
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The fact that MB Companies Inc. in Chilton is expanding is hardly a secret in the area, but what might be less well known is the impressive scope of that expansion. “It’s a pretty significant change for us,” said Doug Blada, CEO MB Airport Maintenance Products. “It’s sorely needed.”
MB Companies is tucked along lightly traveled MB Lane on Chilton’s south side, and even from the road it is hard to get a good grasp on just how much the footprint of this manufacturer is growing. The aerial photo which accompanies this article gives a better indication of the growth represented by the 70,000 square foot manufacturing addition on the south side of the existing building, and the 16,500 square foot office phase on the west side. That is an increase of 86,500 square feet to the original building’s 47,000 square feet—almost tripling its size.
Ground was broken last August on the project, and Blada said the plan is to have general contractor Keller Architects/Planners/Builders turn over the keys in May on the manufacturing phase and in July on the office phase.
In the works for years
Blada has been with MB Companies for about 8-1/2 years and said the expansion of the Chilton facility has been a long time in the making. The acquisition of MB Companies by Switzerland-based Aebi Schmidt Group several years ago helped the multi-million dollar expansion project happen. Planning on the project took about two years and took “a lot of hard work by a lot of people,” Blada said.
Chilton will be the headquarters of Aebi Schmidt North America, and Blada also gave credit to City of Chilton officials for helping to make that happen. “Deciding where to do this didn’t really take that long,” he said.
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Above is an overhead view of the expansion of MB Companies’ Chilton facility.
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Ariens: Education and Workforce Skills
Manufacturing World is Evolving Quickly
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By Ed Byrne, The Brillion News, April 8, 2021 Note: This story was written from The TechEd Podcast of March 2, 2021, used as a source with permission of Producer Melissa Martin.
The future of industry, according to Dan Ariens, Chairman and CEO of Brillion-based AriensCo, is in automation - but without leaving people behind. That’s the message Ariens delivered to business leaders and educators in an interview with Matt Kirchener of TechEd Podcast, a resource that described itself in somewhat rebellious terms: “Featuring Leaders Who Are Disrupting TechEd for the better.”
Ariens said his great-grandfather, Henry Ariens, moved to Brillion from a Sheboygan County farm, and started the Brillion Iron Works until the Great Depression ended his ownership of the company in the early 1930s. To rebound from that, Henry Ariens made a large tiller. “He found a niche and started making these tillers,” Dan Ariens said. Henry and his son, Steve, built the Ariens Company in 1933.
The two were hands-on engineering pioneers. When Steve’s son, Michael Ariens, joined the company in 1959, he brought the business acumen that the company needed. Michael Ariens was Dan’s father. Under Dan’s leadership, the company has become a manufacturing leader in Wisconsin, with hallmark competencies in lean technology and continuous improvement.
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Sargento Offers Training to Create Cheese Boards
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Build your cheese board! Join Sargento Cheese virtually for Small Bites on May 6. Learn how to create the ultimate cheese board – perfect for sharing with loved ones (or showing off to friends on Instagram!) - and what makes Sargento a great place to work.
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Retail CEOs are worried about their supply chains, as the effects of rapidly-changing consumer behaviors and COVID-19 disruptions are still in place.
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With a proposed corporate tax hike, retail industry groups sounded off Wednesday in opposition of President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan funding methods, citing the potential hits to retailers.
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Walmart emerged as the top global retailer of the year, according to a new global ranking from the National Retail Federation and Kantar. Amazon ranked second.
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New North's Summit "Playbook for Recovery" Series
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As a way to highlight the actions of business and community leaders to help get our region back on the road to recovery, you will not want to miss the series of virtual events leading up to the in-person Summit at Lambeau Field in the Atrium on June 10.
The April 14th Business & Community Training Camp from 9:00 to 10:00 am will feature additional developments submitted by New North’s local partners, a presentation by St. Norbert College on scenario planning based on the COVID impacts to our region, an update on the NEW Launch Alliance, and insights from three local founders.
The May 12th Education and Talent Attraction Training Camp from 9:00 to 10:00 am will focus on best practices around upskilling and talent attraction methods, work of the industry alliances, and a real estate forecast as it relates to pandemic effects.
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2021 Business Q&A Spring Series
Join an interactive Zoom discussion to get answers, resources, and referrals for your business questions.
THE AMMUNITION YOU NEED!
Thursday, April 22 (7:30-8:30 am)
- Zoom Panel Discussion, Q&A
- Protect yourself from cyber hacks, attacks, and other cyber crime
- MAC computers are vulnerable too
THE CLOCK IS TICKING!
Tuesday, May 4 (6:00-7:00 pm)
- Zoom Panel Discussion, Q&A
- When and how business owners can plan for retirement
- 3-5 years before retirement is probably too late!!
MARKETING IS NEVER OUT OF STYLE BUT YOUR METHODS MIGHT BE
Thursday, May 20 (7:30-8:30am)
- Zoom Panel Discussion, Q&A
- Tips and Tricks for Marketing in these times
- Has COVID changed Marketing forever?
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UW-Madison Extension Entrepreneur in Training Partnership in collaboration with WIDOC & Defy Ventures
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Starting April 21, 2021, Extension’s Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is a 13-week program for people with criminal histories who want to explore entrepreneurship and develop their small business idea into a formal business concept and pitch. The program is designed for adults (18 and over) who are stable in their reentry (employed and housed) and have been released for at least six months (from jail or prison). There is no cost for this program.
Overall, participants (called EITs: Entrepreneurs in Training) should expect to invest approximately 8-10 hours per week in the course, including class time, reading, written assignments, and the development of the business concept. There will be coaching sessions with Extension staff and volunteers who are already successful in business and want to help assure success.
The class is online via Zoom, starting April 21. It will meet on Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00 pm and Saturdays from 3:00-5:00 pm. Books will be mailed to EITs and everything else will be online via Google Classroom. Participants who complete the course and participate in the business pitch competition on the last day will receive a free Google Chromebook.
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WWBIC offers classes statewide for new entrepreneurs, seasoned business owners, and anyone looking to improve their financial health.
One-hour, online classes, held in English and Spanish, are available in the following categories:
- Starting a business
- Managing a business
- Growing a business
- Financial capabilities
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Explore Starting a Business
May 12, 2021
June 9, 2021
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Work for Yourself at 50+
May 10, 2021
June 3, 2021
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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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