It's a festive time of year, and we send you warm greetings as Winter settles within Vilas County.

We hope you will join us this Friday at the Chippewa Retreat Resort for our Annual Meeting.
Welcome Gloria Cobb

Carl Ruedebusch, Vilas County Economic Development Chairman, congratulates the newest VCEDC Board member, Gloria Cobb of the Lac du Flambeau Tribe!


Welcome Gloria!
LOTC Donates $2,000 to the VCEDC

Lake of the Torches Resort Casino recently donated $2,000 to the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation to help promote and sustain healthy business development throughout the county.

Casino officials presented the check during the VCEDC's November 11th Board of Directors meeting, which was held in the casino's Hall of Nations Convention Center. The donation will help the VCEDC in its ongoing efforts to provide financial and technical assistance to new and expanding business ventures in Vilas County.

Pictured left to right are: Vilas County Economic Development Executive Director Bob Egan; Lake of the Torches' Director of Marketing Leana Schlecht; VCEDC Chairman Carl Ruedebusch; Lake of the Torches' CEO Bill Guelcher; VCEDC Board Member Mary Cole Laub; and VCEDC Board Member Jim Tuckwell

"We appreciate the ongoing support of Lake of the Torches in our mutual efforts to promote a vibrant climate for economic development and job opportunities throughout Vilas County," said Bob Egan, Executive Director of the VCEDC.

The VCEDC is a public-private partnership that offers mentoring and investor assistance to individuals who are interested in starting a business venture in Vilas County, often through two business incubators in Eagle River and Manitowish Waters. These incubators offer commercial and industrial space for businesses at a nominal rate, and VCEDC board members and staff offer a wide variety of business expertise to these new owners to successfully grow their business.

One of the VCEDC's latest projects is an upcoming entrepreneurial class to be offered to students with Autism that will begin in 2017. The class, offered through a partnership with Nicolet College and partially funded through a donation from The Juday Foundation, will train five students on the skills needed to become CNAs. As part of the program, approximately eight businesses have shown interest in hiring these individuals upon completion of their course.

"Lake of the Torches is again proud to support the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation in our mutual efforts to promote a healthy economic environment that provides good jobs and new business opportunities to Northwoods residents," said Lake of the Torches' Director of Marketing Leana Schlecht.
Rural Wisconsin Pushes for Faster Internet

Here is a recent article that appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel regarding broadband in the Northwoods.

By: Rick Barrett , Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A northern Wisconsin county, known for its 1,300 lakes, has a plan for blanketing the area with internet coverage - something that state officials say could become a template for other rural counties stuck on the wrong side of the digital divide.

The Vilas County Economic Development Corp. worked with Frontier Communications and other internet providers to create the plan aimed at making broadband, generally defined as high-speed internet service, available to more than 90% of the county within three years.

The area's population swells in the summer as people from Illinois, Minnesota and elsewhere in Wisconsin go there for vacation. Vilas County, which includes the town of Eagle River, also has some winter tourism.

Some of those guests don't stay long, however, because not having adequate internet access leaves them feeling too disconnected from their work and the rest of the world.

Also, businesses and year-round residents would benefit from improved internet service.

Currently, much of the service is based on older copper wire technology. It's slow and inadequate, said Carl Ruedebusch, chairman of the Vilas County Economic Development Corp.  Read more
Executive Director's Notes

Bob Egan leads the VCEDC's initiatives, working with partner organizations to facilitate business growth in Vilas County.  Bob also manages the Highway 70 Business Incubator.

Congratulations to the Nicolet Entrepreneurial Training (NET) graduates! These entrepreneurs completed the 10 week class cooperatively offered by Nicolet College and the Vilas County EDC on November 16th.

Pictured are: Wendy Schmoll, RJ Schmoll, Bob Egan, Mary Kubenik, Autumn Chamberlain, Carley Reynolds, David Andussies, Kay Reil and Jamie Burkart (instructor). Not pictured is Calvin Johnson.

Bob continues to meet with entrepreneurs and existing businesses who are exploring business opportunities in Vilas County.
Project Manager's Notes

Barry McLeane manages the Manitowish Waters incubators, the Phelps a ccelerator, and the Eye on Entrepreneurs facility in Eagle River.

As I was writing up my notes after meeting with two clients in Manitowish Waters, it occurred to me that entrepreneurs, potential start-ups and others might not be aware of the variety of services we can bring together on their behalf.

While the Business Incubator in Manitowish Waters and the Accelerator in Phelps can offer space to folks, many don't need a physical location (yet). So what can we offer these budding businesses?
  • A preliminary outline of objectives (business plan). We have individual advisors that assist you in getting to the core of your needs in order of importance. In cooperation with Nicolet College, we also offer a 12 week course dealing with all aspects of a new venture.
  • Media consultant. We have people on staff to help establish a social media presence, build a web site, or help determine the value of radio or print advertising to your business.
  • Branding consultant. Establishing your identity among competitors may be important. If so, we have a person on staff that specializes in this area. Whether it revolves around color, message or design, we can help.
The Manitowish Waters Incubator and the Phelps Accelerator currently have openings.  For more information on either location, contact Barry at 715-891-1284.
Message From Our Board Chairman

I continue to be privileged to lead the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC) Board. In 2016 we created a new brand for VCEDC and it speaks volumes about our mission: "Involve. Invest. Innovate." We are involving our communities and business leaders; we are asking for investments of time and talents; and we are innovating in how we drive economic development in the Northwoods. VCEDC is a unique organization with a passion for change.

One critical goal of VCEDC this past year has been to influence young people to learn about becoming an entrepreneur and future business owner in Vilas County. We need to work with the high schools engaging students to consider becoming future business owners and employers so that our future economy is strong. In addition, we have assisted the growth of broadband with new wireless towers and fiber in the county and will do more moving forward.

VCEDC has gained many supporters in our efforts. We have a strong board of directors, many community partners, and a proven track record after five plus years of hard work. But we need your help to continue.

In the past two years we've asked individuals and businesses to join us in financially supporting VCEDC. We realize we must grow more "private" financial support for our efforts.

Our goal for our 2016 campaign is $145,000. These funds will help us provide more tools, more training, and more resources for entrepreneurs and existing businesses in our county. Please join us. Your investment is tax-deductible.   Click here to view more information and a pledge card.






Carl Ruedebusch
Chairman, VCEDC
Facts About Us

Who We Are

Carl Ruedebusch, Chairman
Dave Juday, Vice Chairman
Denise Jantzen, Treasurer
Nicole Justa, Secretary
Emil Bakka
Wally Beversdorf
Lori Collins Emerson Coy
Anne Derber
Steve Doyen
Gloria Cobb Dick Hansen
John Hanson
Mary Cole Laub
Laurie Oungst
Mark Rose
Jim Tuckwell
Kim Simac
Ex Officio Members -
G. Steven Burrill
Richard Nelson
Ron Skallerud
Chris Stark
Our Goals

The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation works to create successful public-private partnerships that stimulate sustainable economic growth throughout Vilas County.

The Board and staff provide innovative leadership and help provide regional infrastructure to improve the economic climate in Vilas County, promote creation of new business and growth of existing businesses, and provide increased opportunities for education to help strengthen workforce development.
Vilas County EDC | 715-337-0061 | Email | Website

STAY CONNECTED:


Powered by:
Kim Swisher Communications, LLC.