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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Tuesday, September 8, 2020 |
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CESA 6 – Calumet County’s Partner in Workforce Development – Winner of 2020 Insight People Award – Innovation as a Uniting Force
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This year has offered up a lot of upheaval with the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic slump, the upcoming election, destructive wildfires in Australia, murder hornets and the list goes on. When reflecting on those challenges, a quote from Steve Jobs popped into my head: “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.” It’s definitely true we’ve been surrounded by innovation this year whether it’s been good, bad or somewhere in between as businesses and organizations had to determine how to get through the many challenges as they struggled to keep the lights on.
The 2020 Insight Innovation Awards themselves required innovation. A panel of judges looked through the nominations in February and chose the winners. The in-person event was planned for early May as in previous years, but then the pandemic arrived, bringing everything to a halt. Taking an in-person event and changing it to a virtual event is not easy, but we came up with a plan that still allowed a keynote presentation by Craig Dickman, managing director of TitletownTech, and a way for us to celebrate the five winners.
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Editor’s Note: The following image is excerpted from Insight on Business magazine describing the Insight Innovation Award presented to CESA 6. |
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Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity to Hold Listening Sessions on September 8 and 16 |
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The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity will hold an “after hours” virtual listening session on Tuesday, September 8, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm for residents to share ideas and experiences about what it will take to advance rural prosperity for all in Wisconsin. Another live session is scheduled for September 16 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
The commission is asking people who want to share their comments to register in advance by visiting the Office of Rural Prosperity website, which will be open for sign-ups until the session starts at 7:00 pm. Interpretation in Hmong and Spanish is also available for the forum.
“Before they can develop a plan for rural Wisconsin’s future, commission members want to hear from people about what they believe their communities need most to succeed,” said Kelliann Blazek, director of the Office of Rural Prosperity at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). “We know many residents who might want to speak to the commission are busy with work and other responsibilities, so we’re offering an evening listening session to accommodate their schedules. The commission wants to make it as easy as possible for everyone to participate in this important process.”
Governor Tony Evers established both the Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity and the Office of Rural Prosperity earlier in 2020 to engage and learn from residents throughout the state in order to develop long-term strategies that will “best support the needs of rural Wisconsinites and rural communities.” The commission aims to collect public input early this fall and then present Governor Evers with a report by October 31 that will help shape the governor’s state budget proposal next year.
More information about the commission, its members and its activities is available at the Office of Rural Prosperity website: wedc.org/rural-prosperity.
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Walmart this week deviated from its longstanding philosophy of being an every day low price retailer with the introduction of a loyalty program dubbed Walmart+. The move was cheered by investors who sent shares surging to an all-time high above $150 as the free delivery program's $98 annual fee could help reduce losses in Walmart's e-commerce business. The program marks a turning point in the evolution of Walmart's business model in which membership programs and other types of loyalty initiatives were previously viewed as inconsistent with an every day low price strategy.
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After shunning loyalty programs for more than 50 years, Walmart this week launched a membership initiative that runs counter to principles on which the company was founded. |
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But times change, and the EDLP concept was developed before the existence of Amazon's Prime program and its rich feature set, which Walmart will attempt to counteract with other benefits. |
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The retail world doesn't normally pay attention to activities at the Federal Aviation Administration, but now it will. The FAA granted a Part 135 Certification to Amazon, clearing the way for nighttime drone flights without operator line of sight and heavier loads. Google and UPS received the certification last year and now with Amazon on board, retailers (Walmart?) may also need to obtain approval.
Dollar General is on track to surpass 17,000 store locations this year, but after reporting record second quarter results Thursday morning it was remodeling efforts that are getting more attention.
Best Buy said strong second quarter sales in categories that help people work, learn, connect and cook drove record online sales.
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Workforce Innovation Opportunity Program Provides Opportunities for Qualified Youth Facing Hardships |
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Offered through the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Program offers funding and assistance to benefit qualified individuals aged 14-24 who are experiencing unique life circumstances as described below. Any newsletter reader who knows a person ages 14-24 facing any of those circumstances is encouraged to refer them to the Menasha number listed below. |
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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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Calumet County Featured in September “Insight on Business” publication
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Insight on Business writer Nikki Kalio’s recent feature article about Calumet County focused on economic development efforts of renewal and growth in four Calumet County communities – Brillion, New Holstein, Chilton, and Hilbert. Each community is working diligently to respond to a past local manufacturing plant closure that has necessitated creativity and partnerships to redevelop those properties and help them make value-added contributions to the local economy.
Calumet County is pleased to support the efforts in each of these communities featured in the Insight on Business article.
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Kiel Native taking on New Roles in Chilton |
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Chilton’s first city administrator/clerk/ treasurer is Kiel native David DeTroye.
Following the retirement of Clerk/ Treasurer Helen Schimdlkofer, the Chilton Common Council decided to strengthen the administrative leadership position, following the lead of other municipalities. This was precisely what DeTroye said he was looking for based on his experience and education.
DeTroye said he is a results-oriented man who is ready to take on any challenge presented and he does see this as a challenge to win. Admittedly, while he holds a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, experience in the public sector, as well as substantive business experience, DeTroye said he feels the need to gain more experience with the treasurer’s role. He added that he is excited with the expertise displayed by the current administrative staff consisting of Deputy City Clerk Lisa Meyer and Administrative Assistant Judy Thiel and will shore up his perceived weakness. DeTroye also looks to round out the staff by adding one more administrative assistant to the staff.
While DeTroye said he is professionally driven, he embraces many other parts of his life. His family is very important. He is married to his wife Kristin, with two step-daughters, a fifth grader and a freshman in high school. While he enjoys golfing, he also enjoys some relaxing time on Wilke Lake. Having successfully owned the Gravel Pit Sports Bar in Kiel for 20 years, he has forged many local relationships, believing that through his Chamber of Commerce affiliations, it has created a “thoroughfare to the next steps in professional life.”
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The new Kwik Trip store in New Holstein opened last week. Within 48 hours, the old building was torn down to make room for the new gas pumps which currently are being installed at the site.
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Congressman Mike Gallagher Visited Hilde’s Deli & Bakery |
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Congressman Mike Gallagher (second from left) visited Hilde’s Deli & Bakery in Chilton last Wednesday to present the Bennin family with a certificate for continuing to serve its patrons throughout the COVID-19 shutdown and during the recovery. Gallagher said the restaurant industry was hit hard by the pandemic, including small cafes and delis such as Hilde’s. The congressman said Hilde’s is the type of place where Hilde’s is not just the name of the business—it is the person behind the counter. “That’s very Wisconsin,” he said. He presented Dennis, Hilde, and son Zach with a Northeast Wisconsin Service Award for continuing to operate during the shutdown and offering daily specials for customers.
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Dollar General Moves into New Home |
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If anyone recently saw two large U-Hauls traveling between Downtown Brillion and Highway 10, it was just part of Dollar General’s relocation in the city.
“We rented two U-Hauls and we just cycled back and forth moving the products, so it was like a wild house move over a five-day span,” Brillion manager Kevin Colden said.
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Dollar General's new location West Ryan Street/Highway 10 is how open to the public. Store management is touting expanded dairy and frozen options, a better layout, and more space for customers, as positives of the new location.
(David Norby/BN)
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The move started on August 19, when they received the keys to the new location at 530 West Ryan Street. They were in the building on August 20 and 21. Products were moved thereafter. The store opened to the public last Wednesday at 2:00 pm. |
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KinderCare Early Learning Center Breaks Ground in Brillion |
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A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 2 to kick off KinderCare’s plans to open the Brillion Early Learning Center a year from now.
As previously reported in this newsletter, KinderCare is partnering with Brillion Works LLC and AriensCo to provide a new childcare option for AriensCo employees and families within the community. Brillion Early Learning Center will have capacity for 96 students plus an additional 25 spots for before- and after-school care and is the first lessee to join the Brillion Works development.
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Jeff Gerkin, Senior Vice President, KinderCare, addresses the audience at the groundbreaking ceremony.
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Members of the Ariens family, the KinderCare team, and Brillion Works LLC took part in the groundbreaking ceremony on September 2. |
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Job Seekers are Encouraged to Participate in September 17 Drive Thru Job Fair |
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Following the very successful July Drive Thru Job Fairs held in Oshkosh and Green Bay, the Department of Workforce Development will host two more Job Fairs in Menasha and Fond du Lac on Thursday, September 17. Job seekers are encouraged to consider participating in one of the virtual events. |
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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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Your business plan is critical for starting, managing, and growing your business and very necessary to secure financing! This free online workshop explains why a strong business plan is vital and will provide vetted resources to help you successfully complete your plan!
September 14, 2020 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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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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E-seed Express: Entrepreneurship Training |
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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
Mondays, September 14 - November 16, 2020
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Finance Your Business, the Right Way |
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Give yourself permission and time to fully understand your business financials and make better decisions.
Join the FVTC Venture Center and SCORE Fox Cities for this NEW, dynamic series. Discover how to receive the loan or investment you need to launch your startup or grow your small business. This workshop series is for startup and growth companies in all life stages and within all industries.
You will learn about:
- The lender concept, use of a risk rating & what makes a good rating vs a poor one
- How daily business decisions create the cash flow of business
- Ways to create better short-term and long-term cash flow
- Successful techniques to negotiate with lenders and how to choose the right lender for you and your business
- The value and benefits of projections supported with written assumptions
- Submitting your financial request by presenting to a panel of lenders for feedback and insight
Dates: Mondays, September 14 - October 5, 2020
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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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If you receive a forwarded copy of this newsletter and no longer want to receive it, please contact the person who e-mailed the newsletter and ask to be removed from their list; do not use the unsubscribe feature. |
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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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