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, September 21, 2020
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The Hottest Zip Codes of 2020
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Each year we analyze over 16,000 zip codes based on the time it takes properties to sell and how frequently homes are viewed in each zip code on realtor.com®. These are the hottest zip codes of 2020.
The hottest zip codes have bucked the national trend of a housing market slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even during the pandemic, homes in the hottest markets were selling at a blistering pace, with the median days on market in all of the top neighborhoods being under a month. Likewise, all of the hottest zip codes saw demand increase, with rising views per property on realtor.com compared to last year.
The east coast accounts for seven of the top 10 zip codes, with a focus in the northeast region. Although these markets were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic first, they were also some of the first to recover, with caseloads easing over time. The resulting pent up demand has driven homebuyers back to these markets, but now with an increasing preference for neighborhoods outside of the dense city centers and more toward suburban areas.
The 2020 hottest ZIP codes America, in rank order, are:
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The hottest zip codes outperform their competition in several ways.
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Note: Wisconsin first appears on the list at #45 with New Berlin. We’ve got so many great things to offer. Keep working at it, Wisco!
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Pandemic is Accelerating Adoption of Automation and Algorithms, Milwaukee Experts Say
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Milwaukee Business Journals, Nick Williams – Reporter, September 2020
With Covid-19 forcing employers to continue their operations without workers on site, companies are adopting remote technologies and implementing software to automate human work at an accelerated pace, experts say.
Locally, these methods are top of mind at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Connected Systems Institute, a learning and research hub focused on the Industrial Internet of Things. Through the institute, faculty from UWM’s Lubar School of Business are offering a program, a high-level overview called Connected Systems Challenge, to help company executives prepare for the IoT and IIoT wave.
"At the CSI, what we're doing to help with this holistic education is to begin with the 'why,'" said Mary Bunzel, executive director of the Connected Systems Institute. "Why do manufacturers need to implement automation at all? On the inside of the factory, it's to make them more reliable to produce more quality goods, to close safety gaps and things like that. That's where we begin, with education, along with financial measurements of how you can benchmark and assess your progress, in addition to all of the traditional IoT courses that you hear about – the AI, robotics programming, cloud services, cybersecurity, all of that."
A large portion of the Connected Systems Challenge program is explaining the importance of understanding the future of digital infrastructure and how using this technology helps companies make better financial decisions.
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Click to learn more about UW Milwaukee’s Lubar School of Business Connected Systems Challenge for Directors and Senior Managers.
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What is the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin?
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Voting in the contest to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin is underway once again in the annual competition sponsored by Wisconsin Manufacturer’s and Commerce and Johnson Financial Group. More than two dozen northeast Wisconsin manufacturers were among the nominees for the 2020 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. Round One voting concluded on September 20, and the top 16 list is announced on September 21. Remember to cast one vote daily to help decide the winner!
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Just in time for the holidays, Walmart has a launched an advertising campaign for its new Walmart+ membership program, which launches nationwide on Tuesday. Unlike Amazon's similarly priced Prime program with extensive benefits, Walmart+ is limited to free delivery and a 5 cent a gallon discount on gasoline at roughly 1,500 locations. The new ad campaign positions Walmart+ as a "different kind of membership."
There's nothing political about Meijer's commitment to teachers. The retailer extended one of the industry's most generous discount programs to educators helping make a difference in the lives of students.
With digital privacy concerns growing, Amazon named the former head of the National Security Agency to its board of directors.
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September 22-24 is National Small Business Week’s Virtual Conference!
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For approximately 60 years, the SBA has honored the nation’s 30 million small businesses that create two of three net new jobs and their advocates during National Small Business Week.
This year’s National Small Business Week activities will include educational panels providing retooling and innovative practices for entrepreneurs as our nation’s small businesses look to pivot and recover, contributing to a stronger economy. The event will recognize the national award winners, including the naming of the National Small Business Person of the Year.
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Broadband Connectors Pilot Initiative
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Through this pilot, WEDC will work with six communities during fall 2020 to foster a better understanding of the type(s) of technical assistance they need most to apply for state, federal or private broadband programs. The lessons learned from this initiative will then be shared with communities throughout the state through incorporation in Wisconsin’s Playbook for Broadband Progress.
To be eligible to participate in WEDC’s Broadband Connectors Pilot initiative, applicants must be one of the following -- local government (city, village, town or county), tribal government, or school district.
The application period will be September 21-30, 2020.
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FREE Business Counseling Available to Calumet County Businesses
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Business counseling is available through the Small Business Development Center. Ray York is eager to serve entrepreneurs and start-ups that are considering going in to business, and it isn’t too late for businesses feeling the effects of COVID-19 to contact the SBDC. Use the online contact form, or reach Ray by phone (920-946-9379) or email.
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Blight to Bonanza: State Grants to Help Hilbert Renewal
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The state Department of Administration has awarded the Village of Hilbert two major grants that total over $700,000 and will go to turn the former Bel Brands cold storage
warehouse, on the south side of Chestnut Street between Seventh and Eighth into a property for new development.
The “white elephant” warehouse has been idle and vacant for several only to the village for redevelopment. The grants are both Community Development Block Grants. One, for public facility blight removal, is for $491,933. The other is for $214,853, and came through Calumet County, which had the funds left over.
The Bel Foods property is on the east side of State 57/32 (Eighth Street) and is considered prime property for redevelopment.
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The old Bel Brands complex in Hilbert has many additions, plus a small office building, all boarded up and waiting for demolition. Grant money will flip the property for new development. It is in the State 57/32 highway corridor. (Ed Byrne/BN)
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Hilbert’s New Subdivision Taking Shape
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The new Village Meadows Subdivision, on the south side of Hilbert west of the St. Vincent de Paul stores, is taking shape. One home is framed in, and work on construction of another home is expected to begin soon.
The first street, which runs from Eighth Street (State 57/32) to the west, is roughed in and topped with gravel. It will not be paved for two years, to allow the ground to settle completely first. The sub-grade utilities are all in. There are several street lights – designed on a 1920s mode – and there is a large storm water detention pond that looks more like a decorative pond.
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Sherwood Re-Zone Approved
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The Village of Sherwood recently approved the rezoning of land currently used as the High Cliff Golf Course 18th fairway for development of a private, 55+ age-restricted housing complex that is to include 44 duplexes.
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RDA: Fall will NOT be Postponed by COVID
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According to the National Weather Service forecasts, the arrival of the fall season will not be postponed by COVID-19. Because it’s definitely on its way, the Brillion Redevelopment Authority (RDA), will once again be asking residents and business owners to join in the Decorate-a-Street Light Pole contest within the downtown business district.
Contest rules - Contact the City Center to obtain full rules and reserve one of the 16 downtown light poles. They will be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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Schmidt’s Closing in Chilton
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After 61 years of service to Chilton and the surrounding area, Schmidt’s Clothing located in the Northside Shopping Center is closing due to owner Rita Holst’s retirement. A closeout sale was held to shrink its inventory.
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Associated Bank Closes/Consolidates Branches
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Associated Bank announced it is closing or consolidating 14 branch locations in Wisconsin, including a branch in Appleton due to the increased utilization of digital banking services.
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WWBIC Grant Program Announced
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The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) has launched a COVID-19 Rural Business Revival Grants Program in the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin to assist single mothers who are racial and ethnic minorities who own micro and small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 economic crisis. Micro and small business assistance grants up to $5,000 will be made available to help a minimum of five eligible business owners in rural areas of Outagamie, Calumet, Shawano and Waupaca counties.
Funding for the program comes from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund established by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and United Way Fox Cities, with additional generous donations from the community.
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Lieutenant Governor’s Small Business Academy Conference October 6-8
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Wisconsin small business owners are invited to register for the Lieutenant Governor’s Small Business Academy conference. This event will run from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm on October 6-7 and from 8:30 am until noon on October 8. The virtual conference focuses on providing Wisconsin entrepreneurs and startups with an opportunity to connect with financial and technical resource providers, learn the tools needed to start and grow a business, and network with their peers.
Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes is scheduled to deliver the keynote address emphasizing the importance of small business to the state’s economy. The program will also include presentations by successful entrepreneurs as well as breakout sessions following two tracks: Starting Your Business or Growing Your Business. Participants will have the opportunity to choose their breakout session, which will be led by a subject-area expert.
A number of local resource and economic development organizations will be on hand to provide information about small business support services they offer. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with others and discuss topics related to specific industry clusters including childcare, retail, construction, agriculture, hospitality/entertainment and online businesses.
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To help Wisconsin companies make connections in South Korea, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is organizing a virtual Global Trade Venture consisting of online meetings between Wisconsin companies and potential partners in South Korea, from November 2 - December 4, 2020. Among world economies, South Korea is the 12th-largest overall, with a GDP of $1.7 trillion and a population of 52 million. South Korea ranked eighth among Wisconsin export destinations in 2019, receiving a total of $545 million in Wisconsin exports. Top categories of exports from Wisconsin to South Korea in 2019 were industrial machinery (19%), medical and scientific instruments (14%), meat products (11%), electrical machinery (6%) and pharmaceuticals (5%).
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Virtual Entrepreneurial Training Program
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Successful business owners have a plan — let us help you build yours!
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 (ETP) 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.
Dates: Thursdays, September 24 - November 19, 2020 | 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Zoom
Fees: $200 with successful application, plus book purchase $50. Due to safety concerns, the enrollment fee is temporarily reduced to accommodate each ETP participant to buy their own book.
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Explore Starting a Business
October 6, 2020
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Work for Yourself at 50+
October 15, 2020
November 10, 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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