Sawyer County
Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development Corp. Update
April 2019 v.1
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For information on any topic, contact: president@sclcoedc.com 
Introducing Our New Director
Ann Kozak
We’re proud to announce Ann Kozak as SC/LCO EDC’s new Director. Ann comes to us while also employed by Hayward Area Memorial Hospital & Waters Edge as their Community Services Coordinator. A veteran of juggling multiple responsibilities, her dynamic work history includes industry experience with the Ashland Area Development Corporation, insurance underwriting, customer service, and social work for Ashland County. Ann holds degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UW-Platteville.
Ann will head EDC’s New Business Engagement team as well as being responsible for outreach efforts with established tribal and county businesses. She’ll serve as the main public contact and spokesperson for our organization.


Sawyer County/Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development Corp.
Successes

  • Workforce Summit – Gathered key economic and educational players to prioritize concerns held by the common group. This resulted in several small groups that have completed projects geared toward improving the hiring process and matching employees/employers. A County-wide Workforce Resources guide was developed that connects employers with potential employees and vice-versa. Additional training needs are consistently monitored and we are prepared to be the liaison with education centers who could provide more training opportunities that match the needs of local businesses.

  • Broadband – Supported the successful grant application for Price County Telephone to bring broadband to its customers on West Lane in the southeast part of Sawyer County.

  • Housing - Transferred management of 41 housing units in Sawyer County and Birchwood to Sawyer County Housing. This decreased the time between vacancy and lease up from 6 months on average to less than a week. It brought an additional $14,000 into Sawyer County to help finance the building of more workforce housing. 

  • Trails - Coordinated with the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and the Trail Alliance to open 12 ATV/UTV routes. This provided greater ATV/UTV access to local businesses resulting in additional visitor spending. The new trails have enhanced the Hayward area's reputation as a premier ATV/UTV destination. A few of the routes opened were Williams Road, linking two major north/south trails, Highway E connecting the LCO Store and the Village of Reserve and trails between Hayward to Stone Lake.

  • Business Assistance Brought together four local business and UW Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC is helping one business develop a business plan, one business to determine the profitability of its product lines and two others to increase sales via better marketing.

  • Sawyer County Housing Study - Quantified the housing needs in Sawyer County. Rather than antidotal views about housing needs within the County, this report provides documented facts about the housing needs. The study will be used by the Housing Authority to apply for housing grants and by developers to obtain financing for apartments and single family housing. The housing study is on the Sawyer Co/Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development website (sclcoedc.com)

  • High School Survey - A survey of juniors and seniors at the Hayward, Winter, LCO and Birchwood high schools. The survey will contribute to determining what needs to be done to keep graduating high school seniors in Sawyer County and to provide them a reason to return after college. The high school survey is on the Sawyer Co/Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development website (sclcoedc.com)

  • Professional Staff-Hired - An executive director and marketing/ administrative assistant to assist existing business thrive and to encourage new business start ups

Promoting a Thriving Sawyer County!

 SAWYER COUNTY is a Certified
Sawyer County has taken the steps to reduce obstacles to broadband investment in our area. We are eager for broadband expansion and our streamlined permitting will expedite the process for new broadband developers. Interested? Contact Bruce at: info@sclcoedc.com

Newly Elected
Executive Committee Board Members

  • Heather Sheehan – (Vice President Senior Services, Hayward Area Memorial Hospital & Water’s Edge) takes over as SC/LCO EDC Board Vice President, a position held by Chris Ruckdaschel in 2018. We thank Chris for his generous contribution to our success last year and look forward to Heather bringing her unique industry insights to the table.

  • Mike Stamp - Elected as the Board Member at Large. Mike relocated from Iowa to Hayward in early 2018, joining Peoples Bank Midwest - Hayward as their new President. Mike joined the SC/LCO EDC Board in September and his financial industry experience has been a welcome asset to the EDC.

Read more about all of our board members:
SC/LCO EDC Survey Data Available:

  • Sawyer County High School Survey Data. Sawyer County high school students were surveyed regarding several key issues including what services they would like to see in our county and what might help them consider living and working here, after graduation. If you would like access to this data or to receive a summary report, please contact us at info@sclcoedc.com

  • Sawyer County Housing Survey 2018 – If you would like discuss this data or to receive a summary report, please contact us at info@sclcoedc.com

Placemaking HAYWARD
May 14th, 2019
Kickoff at Hayward Community Veterans Center
What is Placemaking?
Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces. Placemaking capitalizes on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people's health, happiness, and well being.

Or more simply... placemaking is the process of creating public spaces that people can't resist enjoying!
The Sawyer County/Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development Corporation has organized a Placemaking Event and would like to invite the public to become involved. If you have an interest in volunteering to help with this project, please contact us at info@sclcoedc.com for futher information. Watch for more details coming soon!
Promoting a
Thriving Sawyer County!

What's happening? Plan Ahead for these SC/LCO EDC Supported Events:

  • April 24-25, 2019 - WI Rural Partners Summit - This Summit is an event that brings together people from across Wisconsin, in all types of professions and positions, to identify the top issues facing rural Wisconsin. The event uses facilitated panel sessions for the participants to identify top issues, address their strategies, share experiences and success stories. Details:

  • May 2, 2019 – RISE Breakfast Series – Rising to Success: Business Startups in Northwest Wisconsin. Presented by Visions Northwest, Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, and Northwest Wisconsin Educators for Regional Development. Thursday, 8-10 a.m.. Flat Creek Lodge, Hayward, WI More info or to Register:

  • May 3, 2019 – SC/LCO EDC Monthly Board Meeting – Friday, 9-10:30 a.m., WITC-Hayward, WI

  • May 14, 2019 – SC/LCO EDC Placemaking HAYWARD Event – SC/LCO EDC and NorthWest Regional Planning Commission invite the public join us in a hands-on exploration of several public spaces around Hayward. Tuesday, Kick-off 5 p.m., Hayward Community Veterans Center, Hayward, WI . Watch for flyers and more details coming soon! More info:


Workforce Resource Guide
If you are looking for employees or would like to help someone find employment, you will find a wealth of resources available in this Sawyer County Workforce Resource Guide
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