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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New North Receives $500K Broadband Grant |
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New North Inc., the regional economic development corporation serving Northeast Wisconsin, will receive a $500,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to conduct a broadband gap analysis for the 18 counties of the New North region. The grant was announced by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo on behalf of the department’s Economic Development Administration.
CARES Act Recovery grants are funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus.
“As we continue to focus on our state’s economic recovery, these critical EDA investments will help ensure our families, communities and industries in Northeast Wisconsin are in the best position to bounce back from the pandemic and better,” said Gov. Tony Evers.
The EDA grant will be utilized for regional broadband data analysis, mapping and cost modeling for each county in the region, according to Barb LaMue, president and CEO of New North Inc. She additionally shared that once completed, the study will develop a process to identify solutions, which will help the New North region attract and retain businesses and jobs, spurring private investment and advancing economic resiliency.
“We are grateful to be receiving these funds in the near future,” said LaMue. “We realize the necessity to make sure all parts of our region have affordable broadband access. As broadband expenditures are part of the continuing American Rescue Plan Act, it is our intention to work with all 18 counties in our region to map deficiencies and identify solutions, thus making it more compelling for actual implementation funding to be the next logical step.”
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REMINDER: June 7 is WI Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant Deadline |
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The Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grants program is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Department of Revenue (DOR), funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The grants will provide as many as 84,000 Wisconsin small businesses with annual gross revenue between $10,000 and $7 million with a flat award of $5,000.
Individuals and businesses interested can learn more about the Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant program by visiting the Department of Revenue website.
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A Heightened Focus on Reshoring
As costs and risks of lengthy supply chains become even more apparent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, more U.S. companies may consider reshoring their operations to the Americas.
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The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the risks inherent in the global supply chain, particularly the worldwide reliance on China for medical supplies. The supply chain turbulence experienced during the pandemic undoubtedly will impact future business decisions, extending beyond medicine to other industries, including electronics, aerospace, automobiles, defense, consumer products, and technology.
Incentivizing Reshoring
Manufacturing companies accelerated moving production to low-cost manufacturing countries (known as offshoring) in the early 1990s. In the rush to globalize, key manufacturing sectors were abandoned in the United States. But now that the vulnerabilities of doing so have been exposed, there is talk of “de-globalization,” or reshoring.
Reshoring includes not only the relocation of existing manufacturing back to the United States, but new greenfield investment in domestic plants that might have gone overseas. A related term is “near-shoring,” which refers to companies bringing production back to countries near the United States (usually Mexico or Canada).
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Calumet County School Districts Receive Grants for Mental Health Services |
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A coalition of five Calumet County school districts will begin to offer school-based mental health screening and counseling services this spring thanks to a $231,544 grant from the Basic Needs Giving Partnership within the Community Foundation supported by the U.S. Venture Fund, the J.J. Keller Foundation, and other community partners.
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News conference at Calumet County Park announcing new mental health screening and counseling initiative. |
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These grants will fund THRIVE Calumet, a collaboration to provide on-site mental health services in Brillion, Chilton, Hilbert, New Holstein, and Stockbridge school districts in partnership with Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley.
“THRIVE Calumet will build on services currently offered through Calumet Medical Center in Chilton and Calumet County,” says Elizabeth Langteau, Cooperative Education Service Agency 6 (CESA 6), and co-director of Allies in Mental Health Education.
Early intervention helps with greater school readiness, academic success, less grade retention or special education, and reduced welfare dependency. “If mental illness is untreated, children can experience crippling long-lasting effects like dropping out of school, incarceration, teen pregnancy, poor employment opportunities, poverty, and future dependence on assistance programs,” says Jen Parsons, Connected Community wellness screen program director at Samaritan. “School-based programs are proven to be cost-effective and very good at removing barriers to care."
Not only will these offerings help students at the present time, they’ll also improve the chances of these youth growing up to be adults who are more ready to enter the workforce.
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DWD Job Centers Have Reopened for Walk-In Services |
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The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) reopened to walk-in customers at Job Centers throughout Wisconsin on June 1. Job Centers had served customers throughout the pandemic, but onsite services were available only by appointment. Reopening the centers allows Job Centers to serve communities on a larger scale. This next phase of operations will shift focus to provide a mix of walk-in and virtual services, allowing people the freedom and choice to access resources from DWD and the Workforce Development Boards (WDBs).
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Brillion Students Excel in Work-Based Learning |
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Eleven junior and senior level Brillion High School students were honored on Wednesday, May 19, for their completion and continuation in the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Youth Apprenticeship Students, their parents, and mentors from their work experience placement enjoyed a night at Stone Prairie as students gave presentations on their experiences learning valuable skills while on the job.
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Brillion High School Youth Apprentices honored for the completion of their youth apprenticeship placement included (L-R) Vince Wittmann, Conor Moehr, Garrett Kilgas, Levi Galoff, Elise Fischer, Karter Trace, Reed Peter, Sam Galoff, and Devin Roehrig. |
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Youth Apprenticeship is a rigorous one or two year elective work based learning program where junior and senior high students combine their career and technical education course work in school with mentored on the job training in a specific career pathway. Brillion High School offers programs in 11 industry areas with 55 career areas. Students completing programs this year were in seven different career areas included in the pathways of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction, STEM, Marketing and Finance. |
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Youth Apprenticeship Growing at Hilbert High |
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One of the more successful programs to get a jump start on adult life is the Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP), which gives high school juniors and seniors a chance to integrate on the job learning into the high school day. In one school year, YAP participants each log 450 or more hours of learning at work.
Last week, a handful of them showed up at the Hilbert Board of Education meeting to outline what they were doing.
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CESA 6 Counselor Dawn Grenzer (far right) introduced four Hilbert High School students and their employers/ mentors from the Youth Apprenticeship Program at last week’s school board meeting. The program is growing, and gives students a chance to learn both in the classroom and at a skilled trades jobsite. (Ed Byrne/BN) |
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Each student who addressed the school board was also accompanied by a supervisor from his or her workplace.
Dawn Grenzer, who used to be the district counselor at Hilbert and is now working for CESA 6, the regional educational cooperative, said the YAP is organized through the state Department of Workforce Development. She said students spend half of the school day in the traditional school classroom setting and the other half learning on the job.
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Alpha Fuel
Brillion company aims for healthier hunting dogs
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Keeping canines happy and healthy has become a booming business. So, with a passion for his dogs and an entrepreneurial bent, Joe Scott decided to turn a longtime side project into a growing business. Based out of his home near Brillion, Scott, and his wife, Angela, run Alpha Dog Nutrition, which manufactures and sells canine nutritional supplements, developed specifically for medium to large hunting dogs.
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Brillion's Alpha Dog Nutrition sells its nutritional supplements for dogs directly to consumers. |
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“We started with bird dogs,” says Scott, a Howard-Suamico native. “But any dog could take this and it would be good for them.”
An avid hunter, Scott “tried to come up with better nutritional products for my dogs.” But while he had launched businesses before, he needed the assistance of an expert with a doctorate in animal nutrition to formulate the products, which are designed to help alleviate dandruff, allergies and shedding, and aid joint care and vitality.
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Eickerts Take Reins of School Home Improvement |
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When Jeremy Eickert was approached by John School about taking over ownership of School Home Improvements, it helped fulfill a lifelong goal of Jeremy’s.
Jeremy and his wife, Ashley, have owned the Brillion mainstay company since the start of this year. Now officially under the name Eickert School Home Improvements, the company will continue to serve the area with vinyl window replacements as it has since 1985.
“We discussed the pros and cons for a little while, and I jumped on it,” Jeremy said.
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School Home Improvements is now officially Eickert School Home Improvements. The company staff includes (left to right): Josh Schisel, Daryl Mrozinski, Bill Wolfinger, Mike Richter, Scott Hallfrisch, John School, Mike Ziefle, Lacey Miller-Kalies and new owner Jeremy Eickert. (Not pictured: Bill Feldkamp). |
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With COVID-19 lockdown restrictions lifting and more U.S. adults becoming vaccinated against the virus, shoppers are returning back to stores.
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Social media giant Facebook has launched live shopping every Friday on its platform.
Facebook’s move also highlights how technology is quickly changing to meet consumer preferences. Online shopping, which boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, is likely to remain a top method of making purchases for many consumers. Adding additional features such as augmented reality, live shopping or virtual fitting rooms are likely to give consumers a better idea of what they’re buying.
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WEDC Develops Vaccine Videos for Businesses |
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The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is supporting businesses on the road to post-pandemic recovery. As part of their commitment to putting the power of the state’s resources behind small businesses, they’ve developed the Wisconsin Employer Vaccine Forum video series. Businesses are encouraged to visit WeAreAllInWI.com/vaccine to get helpful vaccine advice from experts in employment law, human resources and financial management as well as to download WEDC’s Vaccine Guidelines for Employers to learn best practices and connect with vaccination resources.
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COVID Vaccination Clinic
The Calumet County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic (St. Martin Lutheran Church, 717 Memorial Drive, Chilton, WI) is open to all individuals, age 12 and over. Youth, ages 12 to 17, are required to have a parent or guardian with them to sign paperwork and be present during vaccination; or if that is not possible, contact the Health Department to designate a proxy.
Appointments can be scheduled online (preferred method). The clinic registration site will remain open until all appointments are filled.
Tuesday Clinic Hours
Clinic open 3:30 pm - 6:05 pm
Make an appointment:
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Register online until 3:30 pm on Tuesday
- Call (920) 629-0479 after 3:30 pm for same-day appointments
Wednesday Clinic Hours
Open 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Make an appointment:
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Register online until 8:00 am Wednesday
- Call (920) 849-1432 after 8:00 am for same-day appointments
Additional vaccine clinics in our regional area can be viewed here.
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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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Entrepreneurial Training Program |
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Whether your business is growing or brand-new, writing a business plan is critical to building a profitable venture, especially to attract financing from lenders or investors.
The Entrepreneurial Training Program is eight efficient sessions to help you develop a plan for a thriving, profitable business. In this program, you will learn to identify customers, determine their needs and analyze that information into a feasible plan for starting or growing your business.
- Organize and better manage your business.
- Identify opportunities and market your business.
- Understand and get your business financials in order.
- Get funding for your business.
- Write a detailed, comprehensive business plan.
- Network with other entrepreneurs.
- Develop a network with small business support services.
ETP Sheboygan County
Sept. 23, 30; Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28; and Nov. 4, 11, 2021
5:30-8:30 pm
Location TBD
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New North Summit June 10 at Lambeau Field |
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The in-person New North Summit will be held June 10 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. It marks the final event in the 2021 ‘Playbook for Recovery’ series of New North Inc., following three previous virtual gatherings. Online registration continues to be available at www.newnorthsummit.com. Those who registered for any of the virtual events do not need to register again. The event program runs from 8:30 am until 2:00 pm, with registration and networking starting at 7:30 am.
Keynote Speaker Tim Moore headlines the event. A curiously driven entrepreneur, he has become a leading expert on purpose-driven marketing over the past decade and will share a message on the power of social impact. Moore is a three-time Emmy Award-winning director who connects with his audiences through emotion-driven stories, dynamic visuals and compelling audio.
Attendees additionally will hear from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, along with Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. There also will be three presentations from regional business leaders.
The New North Summit is geared towards business executives, education leaders, non-profit and government leaders from around the region and state. Any last-minute updates to the event agenda will be provided at www.newnorthsummit.com. |
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NEW Manufacturing Alliance's 15 Year Anniversary Celebration |
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For the first time in over a year, the NEW Manufacturing Alliance’s in-person quarterly membership meeting will be celebrating the Alliance’s 15 year anniversary as part of our meeting on June 30 at Lambeau Field’s Miller Lite Deck from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. This event is all about celebrating and reconnecting with business colleagues.
The agenda for the program:
2:00 pm: Check in starts
2:30 pm: Program begins with overview about the Alliance’s start, what is ahead for the organization and John Kuhn, former Green Bay Packer All Pro fullback
3:00 pm: Networking
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InDevelopment Conference, September 9, in Green Bay |
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The in-person InDevelopment Conference will be held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, on September 9. Geared toward real estate and economic development professionals in Northeast Wisconsin, it is an event that you do not want to miss.
Registration will be opening soon. Check out the website for more details.
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Managing Offsite Employees |
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Explore how to manage a remote workforce successfully. Learn how to communicate effectively, maintain a sense of community, cultivate teamwork, and develop relationships built on trust.
June 11, 2021 | 8:00-12:00 noon
D.J. Bordini Center, Appleton
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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 from the small business and entrepreneurial community provide insight into legal, management, marketing, technology, accounting and financing aspects of operating a successful small business.
You will learn about:
- Small business ownership - is it right for you?
- Identifying and analyzing your industry, competition and market
- Legal issues facing business owners
- Bookkeeping and accounting systems
- Networking with other peers, small business owners, entrepreneurs and business leaders
Starts Wednesday, June 16, 2021
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Virtual, Instructor-Led
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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
June 9, 2021
July 14, 2021
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Work for Yourself at 50+
July 14, 2021
August 12, 2021
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1 Million Cups Appleton
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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