Recent News

10 essential pieces of advice for anyone who wants to leap from employee to entrepreneur

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. It’s difficult, risky, and stressful; but if you’re successful, you’ll become the master of your destiny. These business founders and "Advisors" in The Oracles share how they made the leap from employee to entrepreneur — and how you can too. Click here to read full article.

Best and Worst States for Business

Friday, March 13, 2020

As one of the top states, Colorado boasts a highly-educated workforce. Nearly 42% of adults in the state have a bachelor’s degree or higher, well above the 32.6% share of adults nationwide. There will also not likely be a shortage of labor in the state anytime soon. Click here to read full article.

Menomonie joined in taking steps to improve Red Cedar watershed

Friday, March 13, 2020

Creating a healthy watershed takes a commitment from top to bottom. For the Red Cedar watershed the beginning of that commitment is there. In Menomonie the city has taken strides on the reduction of sediment and phosphorus in lake while also taking an interest in education of youth regarding storm water. Click here to read full article.

Menomonie eight-graders agree to be part of district's first associate degree academy with CVTC

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

A group of Menomonie eighth-graders is looking to their futures. With an eye toward college, 27 students agreed to be part of a new embedded degree program agreement between Chippewa Valley Technical College and the Menomonie school district that would allow them to earn an associate degree in business management during their four years in high school. Click here to read full article.

Menomonie chamber announces new tourism manager

Monday, March 09, 2020

The Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce announced Monday that Kimberly Stickfort will be the chamber’s new tourism manager. “For the past few years, I have worked for a social media agency and I look forward to using my expertise in online marketing to continue growth of Menomonie’s tourism,” Stickfort said. “I am excited to start working with the chamber of commerce and the community.” Click here to read full article.

Wisconsin banks backing call for more flexibility in ag lending

Friday, March 06, 2020

The Wisconsin Bankers Association is backing an effort from U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin to give financial institutions more flexibility in lending to farmers. Baldwin and Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota urged financial regulators in a recent letter to relax certain regulations that limit loans to agricultural businesses. “The letter encourages regulators to listen to the judgement of local bankers who obviously know their customers well, and know the cycles well and have a lot of experience with it,” said WBA President Rose Oswald Poels in a recent interview. “Providing greater deference to bankers is always a positive.” Click here t...

WEDC awards nine grants to support entrepreneurship programs throughout Wisconsin

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced today that nine organizations have been awarded a total of $432,000 in grants this year to help develop or expand innovative programs aimed at advancing the climate for entrepreneurship throughout the state. The grants are being awarded as part of WEDC’s Entrepreneurship Support Program, which is now in its fourth year. The grants will help fund activities that promote entrepreneurship or deliver education, training and other resources to assist new and aspiring business owners, particularly in underserved communities and rural areas. Nearly 350 entrepreneurs and organizations are expected to receive services through programs funde...

Wisconsin hosts largest technical dairy competition in world

Tuesday, March 03, 2020

The largest technical cheese, butter and yogurt competition in the world started Tuesday in Wisconsin, with a record 3,667 entries from 26 nations. The 55 judges taste, sniff and inspect the 132 classes of dairy products during the biennial World Championship Cheese Contest. The judges include cheese graders, cheese buyers, dairy science professors, and researchers from 19 nations and 14 states. Click here to read full article.

Frank assumes role as UW-Stout Chancellor with a future focused on diversity, sustainability and student success

Monday, March 02, 2020

It was symbolic for new UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank as she begins her role as the university’s first woman to lead the university as Women’s History Month begins. Frank officially assumed the role on Sunday and began her first day as chancellor on campus Monday. She started her day with a meeting with the Chancellor’s Cabinet followed by a walk around campus to introduce herself and get acclimated with UW-Stout’s day-to-day operations. Click here to read full article.

Reasons Site Selectors Should Choose Dunn County

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Dunn County Wisconsin is one hour from the Twin Cities Metro. This proximity to the Twin Cities offers strategic benefits for companies looking to access the Metro while paying less in real estate cost and in wages. Existing Twin Cities companies, and those looking for a strategic Midwest location, are attracted to West Central Wisconsin for the following - #1 Convenient interstate access and proximity to the Twin Cities The Twin Cities is located just 60 miles from West Central Wisconsin. Interstate access makes it easy to access the Metro, in addition to major cities throughout the country. From Dunn County, businesse...

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Chinese authorities have confirmed an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in early December 2019. Currently there are hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan City, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally. The first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020. Read full article.

The future of retail in the US: industry trends and market trends

Monday, February 24, 2020

Retail sales volume was higher in 2019 than ever before — and it will only continue trending upward as the entire experience becomes more streamlined and frictionless for customers. However, the face of the industry is changing rapidly; Business Insider Intelligence recently reported that in 2019 ecommerce sales surpassed 10% of total retail sales for the first time ever. The growing online trend impacts both e-tailers and brick-and-mortar sellers. Because merchants must embrace ecommerce to boost their own growth, the roles of solutions providers like BigCommerce and Shopify, as well as marketplaces like Amazon, could expand further in the coming years, due t...

The network is an entrepreneur’s best asset

Monday, February 24, 2020

Entrepreneurs have a lot to think about when building a business, and one of the most important may be strengthening and tapping their networks. More than 20 years of academic research has tied business networking to entrepreneurial success, demonstrating that networking is an important way to validate opportunities, connect to resources, and access information. Research has suggested that entrepreneurs have on average twice the number of online network connections as nonentrepreneurs. Although the raw size of an entrepreneur’s network does not necessarily correlate with startup success, engagement with a tightly connected subset of that network does. An MIT study demonstrates tha...

A Formula for Growth After the Start-Up Stage

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Much attention is paid to how entrepreneurs create an innovative product or service and bring it to market, pivoting quickly to solve financial and logistical challenges along the way. But after the start-up buzz wears off, owners must figure out how to scale their businesses for long-term, stable growth. Rather than simply working harder, a new report suggests, second-stage companies should consider a different strategy to reach the middle market, incorporating five conditions that were compiled and tracked by TrueSpace, a consulting firm, and the analytics firm Gallup. Click here to read full article.

American business world optimistic about $100B trade target with Turkey

Thursday, February 20, 2020

The presidents of the U.S and Turkey have agreed to keep the bilateral trade volume target separate from other problems ,and the U.S. business world has expressed optimism about economic relations with Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an on Wednesday said he and U.S. President Donald Trump have decided to keep their target of reaching $100 billion in trade volume separate from other disputes between the two countries. The decision was agreed upon in a recent call with Trump, Erdo?an said. Click here to read full article.

Bank of America Community Development Banking Provided a Record $4.88 Billion in Lending and Investing in 2019

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Bank of America Community Development Banking (CDB) provided a record $4.88 billion in loans, tax credit equity investments, and other real estate development solutions, surpassing last year’s record of $4.7 billion. CDB delivers innovative financing solutions to help create affordable housing for individuals, families, seniors, students, veterans, the formerly homeless, and those with special needs. These efforts are part of the company’s commitment to deploying capital to address global issues outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Bank of America Global Corporate and Investment Banking also provided $351 million in tax credit investments, resulting in an additional 4,400 affordabl...

Delta lifts off with $1 billion pledge to become carbon neutral

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Delta Air Lines has become the latest aviation company setting its sights on becoming "carbon neutral," with an ambition to reach that target by 2030 and pledge to invest $1 billion in achieving the goal over the next 10 years. The investment will focus on driving innovation, advancing clean air travel technologies, accelerating reductions in waste and emissions, and establishing new offsetting and natural carbon sequestration projects, the company said. Click here to read full article.

FCC Launches New $20.4B Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to Subsidize Broadband Networks in Areas Without 25/3 Mbps

Thursday, February 20, 2020

The FCC approved and released an order that will inject $20.4 billion in funding for the deployment of networks for the provision of high-speed broadband internet access and voice services in areas that are otherwise too costly to be adequately served by the market (typically, rural areas). Although publicly funding voice communications networks in high cost areas is a long-standing policy in the United States, in 2011 the FCC adopted a new approach. The agency decided to focus high cost funding on the upgrading of those networks so that they would be capable of providing high-speed internet access services in addition to voice...

Small business confidence rises, signaling a more positive outlook for the US economy

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Small business sentiment is on the rise to kick off 2020, with confidence nearing all-time highs, according to data from CNBC and SurveyMonkey. The CNBC/SurveyMonkey Small Business Confidence Index climbed two points in the first quarter, from 59 to 61, as concerns over trade policy impacts lessened, thanks to a trade deal with China and the signing of the USMCA. This is a sharp turnaround from the lows seen last summer as trade turmoil weighed on Main Street’s outlook. The Small Business Confidence Index is calculated based on entrepreneurs’ responses to a set of eight questions about their businesses as part o...

The Hidden Power of Guarantees in Community Development Finance

Thursday, February 20, 2020

If you’ve ever had someone co-sign a loan for you, then you know how a guarantee works. That other person, maybe a parent or relative, is promising the bank that in case you can’t make your monthly payment, they’ll make the payment in your place. If all goes well, your parent or relative may never need to step up for you. This process is often a formality, but it can also be a prohibitive barrier if you don’t have a parent or relative with good credit. Guarantees are a very common tool to support financial institutions themselves. The Federal Deposit Insuranc...

Wisconsin dairy farmers lead sustainability efforts

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Dairy farmers are leading Wisconsin's sustainability efforts. 72nd Alice in Dairyland Abigail Martin stopped by Wake Up Wisconsin on Thursday to explain how farmers are caring for the land. Click here to read full article.

General Aviation’s Contribution to U.S. Economy Remains Strong

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

A group of seven general aviation associations today welcomed an updated study detailing the contributions of general aviation to the U.S. economy. The study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, determined that general aviation supports a total 1,179,200 jobs and a total of $246.8 billion in total economic output in the U.S. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) sponsored the study, with the support from JETNET LLC. and Conklin & de Decker. Leaders o...

Broadband Roundup: Congress Questions FCC Over Rural Fund, Banning Huawei, T-Mobile/Sprint Merger and Inequality

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Over twenty members of Congress sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on Friday asking for clarification on the changes to the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund announced during the agency’s vote to approve the program on January 30. In a last-minute change, the FCC eliminated the ability for areas receiving state subsidies for broadband deployment to also receive RDOF funds. “We are concerned that the RDOF Order may inadvertently undermine the ability of the states to help close the digital divide due to the rushed process undertaken by the FCC’s adoption of the Order,” the member of Congress wrote. Click here to read ful...

Franchises that work out: Many of the hottest US businesses to franchise involve fitness

Saturday, February 15, 2020

For many Americans, entrepreneurship seems like an attractive option. Owning your own business means not having to answer to a boss everyday and often a much higher earning potential than a salaried job. However, running a business is also far riskier than working in an established company. One way for budding entrepreneurs to minimize the risk is to start a franchise location. Franchisees are entrepreneurs who acquire a license to operate one or many locations of an established brand. Though they typically pay an annual licensing fee, in addition to often high upfront startup costs, franchisees benefit from tried and teste...

Mission Wisconsin: Helping transitioning veterans find a new future in Wisconsin

Friday, February 14, 2020

A summit aimed at helping veterans transition from active duty to life in the Midwest was held in Green Bay this morning. Kris Schuller reports the meeting is also helping to raise the profile of a recruitment program called Mission Wisconsin. In the Hotel Northland employers, veterans and community leaders meet for the Veteran Ready Summit, to learn more about a state initiative called Mission Wisconsin. Click here to read full article.

The Business of Better Health Care

Friday, February 14, 2020

THERE'S A SAYING IN business that employers should take care of their employees, who will take care of the customers, who will take care of the company's bottom line. This philosophy is especially true in hospitality, where front-line employees have the most frequent interactions with our guests. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly difficult for employers to look after their employees because of ever-increasing health care costs. Since 1999, the average cost of family premiums for employer-provided health insurance, which covers most Americans, has increased by approximately 250% – about five times faster than inflation. Average deductibles have more than tripled over this time frame. Click here to read ful...

What is the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund?

Friday, February 14, 2020

On February 7, the Federal Communications Commission released the report and order that creates the framework for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, the latest effort to extend the reach of broadband networks deeper into rural America. The FCC's own research estimates that $80 billion is needed to bring broadband everywhere in the U.S., so the $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is a significant -- although likely insufficient -- step in closing the digital divide over the next decade. Here we review the framework and note some controversy around the FCC decision. Click here to read full article.

Cheesemaker considers expansion into Menomonie

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, known for its cheese curds and artisan cheeses, is looking to expand into Menomonie. The Pierce County-based creamery is slated to meet with the Menomonie City Council next week about the possibility of opening its third manufacturing location in the city. Read full article.

Regional leaders need to join together to stay competitive in the global market

Thursday, February 13, 2020

In 2014, St. Petersburg, Fla. mayor Rick Kriseman and Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn went on a trade mission to Chile. But, in recognizing that scale matters in such attempts at global competitiveness, the two mayors made their trip not as representatives of two separate cities, but as dual ambassadors of the Tampa Bay region. Prior to the trade mission, the economic development organizations (EDOs) of three neighboring Florida counties—Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco—joined forces to create Global Tampa Bay, aligning their international business engagement strategy in a regional economic partnership. This meant pooling resources, sharing a budget, taking turns as chair, an...

Demand For Broadband Internet Remains High In Rural Wisconsin

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Grant Applications Under State Program Are Double Money Available This year, Wisconsin will provide a record amount of money for broadband internet in underserved areas of the state that need it for business, government and school. The $24 million the state is making available in 2020 through the Broadband Expansion Grant Program is the largest amount since the program began in 2014. But it is not enough to meet demand. Read full article.

Expanding entrepreneurship for everyone

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

The NIA Office of Small Business Research (OSBR) team is intrigued by startups and their unique role in research and development. Of course, we’re a bit biased — after all, we lead NIA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs, which are designed to help new companies commercialize products and technology to extend the healthy, active years of life. The OSBR team is pleased to support a diverse range of innovative ideas. To help broaden our reach, we recently produced a factsheet (PDF, 5.3M) that explains how our SBIR/STTR programs can provide significant seed funding to small businesses to addres...

Rocky Vista welcomes first digital health students

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Students at Rocky Vista University's College of Osteopathic Medicine with an interest in digital health are now enrolled in the new digital health track. The advent of digital health — the integration of technology into healthcare to improve a patient's wellbeing — has created a need for physicians who are knowledgeable about its emerging tools. Click here to read full article.

States, Governors Focus on Broadband Expansion

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

GOVERNORS ACROSS THE country are increasingly prioritizing broadband deployment and high-speed internet access in a bid to resolve connectivity concerns that disproportionately hang over America's most rural communities. Of the 40 State of the State speeches delivered so far this year, 20 included references to high-speed internet access or state broadband installation projects, according to a U.S. News analysis of governors' prepared remarks. Click here to read full article.

How to Catch Hold of a Borderless Industry

Monday, February 10, 2020

A look at what makes fintech firms and ecosystems tick. What do fintechs do all day? “That’s the million-dollar question, right?” says Jackson Mueller, associate director at the Milken Institute’s Center for Financial Markets. He defines fintech as “the use of technology in the provision of financial products and services.” Among the sector’s characteristics, he says, are: The nature and pace of innovation and adoption: “Things are constantly moving at breakneck speed.” Read full article.

In Focus: Taking Steps to Fill Your Company’s Talent Pipeline

Sunday, February 09, 2020

Companies must take the time to identify potential new hires, build a relationship, and follow up with training and support in order to build today’s — and tomorrow’s — workforce. It’s no secret the manufacturing and construction industries are facing a shortage of workers at every level. To build a talent pipeline, manufacturing and construction companies need to embrace the challenge, dedicate resources, and invest in programs to change the future. Building a solid talent pipeline requires a multifaceted approach that addresses internal and external factors of your organization. Read full article.

Cultivating Talent from Untapped Communities

Saturday, February 08, 2020

By hiring from diverse and underserved communities, a company can boost innovation along with its bottom line. The current U.S. labor market bodes well for workers: unemployment has been consistently low and demand for talent remains high. But this wreaks havoc for companies who face a talent shortage to fill vacant IT roles. In IT alone, the U.S. has an astounding 918,000 open roles. Much of this job growth stems from digital transformation. As companies digitally transform and tech roles infiltrate all industries, corporations and hiring managers need help to fill vacant positions. It’s time to seek alternative pipelines and cultivate talent from untapped communities. Rea...

Hot Jobs: Growing Industrial Sectors

Friday, February 07, 2020

Although the number of jobs lost during the Great Recession have been regained, not all regions or industry sectors have experienced the same recovery. Where are the best job opportunities, and in what sectors? The research from market analytics consultant Emsi suggests that some of the most attractive sectors in terms of decent-paying jobs are also doing fairly well in terms of job growth. Most states will welcome all the manufacturing activity they can get, for example, and many states have been seeing healthy manufacturing job growth in recent years. Auto manufacturing is in respectable shape, biopharm is healthier all the time...

Wisconsin wage growth had a strong finish to 2019

Friday, February 07, 2020

A slow start to the year held down Wisconsin’s average wage growth in 2019, but the state finished the year by averaging more than 3% growth during the fourth quarter in most industries. In December, the average hourly wage for private sector employees in the state was $27.10, up from $26.19 in December 2018, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wisconsin averaged year-over-year wage growth of 1.9% for all of 2019, a figure that ranks 43rd in the country. Click here to read full article.

Economic development head Melissa Hughes looks to take agency in new direction

Thursday, February 06, 2020

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.’s fourth CEO, Melissa “Missy” Hughes, said her first four months have been spent developing a new direction for the state’s top economic development agency. The shift in direction, which Hughes and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers have said entails a greater focus on small businesses and rural communities, rather than on controversial deals like the one for the massive Foxconn project, is reflective of Hughes as a departure from previous leaders of the embattled WEDC since its 2011 creation. Read full article.

Front Line: New DOT Focus on Rural Development

Tuesday, February 04, 2020

“Economic success” is a critical component of the Department of Transportation’s new initiative. Last October U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced a new initiative focusing on transportation and related development challenges in rural areas. The new effort was called ROUTES — Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success. ROUTES will build on two successful DOT discretionary grant programs, now called BUILD and INFRA (previously known as TIGER and FASTLANE, respectively). BUILD supports varied projects. INFRA has a freight focus. Read full article.

Mission Wisconsin team profile: Steve Janke

Tuesday, February 04, 2020

The goal of the Mission Wisconsin initiative is to connect military personnel and families separating from service with the great opportunities Wisconsin has to offer, whether that’s quality education, a fulfilling career, a welcoming community or any support they need as they move into the next phase of their lives. Like any mission, it couldn’t happen without boots on the ground—the Mission Wisconsin team. We recently talked with Steve Janke, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who now serves as the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) military talent attraction case manager. Read full article.

WEDC head backs current agency structure, calls for finding 'innovative ways' to help farmers

Tuesday, February 04, 2020

The new head of Wisconsin's job agency said keeping the organization in its current form is "really the way to go" in promoting economic development among businesses and communities throughout the state. After spending four months on the job, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes said she "would advocate strongly for leaving the structure the way it is" at the agency — the entity Gov. Tony Evers at one point pledged to de-fund as a gubernatorial contender. Read full article.

Dairy expert predicts U.S. milk prices will climb in 2020

Monday, February 03, 2020

UW-Madison’s director of dairy policy analysis predicts U.S. milk prices will continue to climb in 2020 as low production helps clear out domestic and international stocks of milk. Still, Mark Stephenson noted that a recession would throw these numbers off course, though he doesn’t expect an imminent downturn. Read full article.

The Evolution of Facility Design

Monday, February 03, 2020

Attracting and retaining the next generation of talent is now a critical input to the facility design process. When looking to build a new facility or renovate an existing one, manufacturing leaders need to consider several factors for the best return on investment. In the past, operational efficiency was often the most prominent, if not the only consideration. But today, the physical characteristics of a manufacturing facility must now deliver beyond operational excellence. The building or campus’ presence must now also serve as a recruiting tool, a reinforcement of brand, a testament to the company’s mission and values — not t...

What Should High-Growth Companies Look for in a Community?

Saturday, February 01, 2020

While there are many key factors to consider when selecting a location, the three “must haves” for entrepreneurial, high-growth companies are an existing entrepreneurial ecosystem, an affordable cost of doing business, and the “cool factor.” I'll start off by stating the obvious…you’re reading this article because you understand the importance of selecting the optimal business location. I believe this to be true across the board, regardless of industry sector, company size, facility type (i.e. headquarters, distribution center, etc.) or other factors. But perhaps it is most important to entrepreneurs and high-growth startup companies (herein referred to collectively as entrepreneurial companies). Whil...

Light industrial is all the rage for e-commerce.

Friday, January 31, 2020

As an industrial real estate broker in one of the country’s hottest submarkets, Patrick Turner sensed opportunity when he heard a news report announcing the closure of a national-brand bakery complex near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. “A light went off in my head,” says Turner, a vice president in the Rosemont, Illinois, office of Colliers International. “When you’re talking about urban infill, you can’t just go out and find 10 acres [4 hectares] anywhere around the airport. It just doesn’t happen.” Read full article.

How to Catch Hold of a Borderless Industry

Thursday, January 30, 2020

The 2020 Regional Workforce Development Rankings

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

We may one year choose to rank states’ primary workforce development programs, but not this year. That would take a panel of objective experts gauging outcomes based on copious input from program clients and many other sources. Perhaps one year. Instead, this exercise looks in general terms at states’ workforce development climates, if you will, much like the state business climate rankings we publish each November. It’s an admittedly blunt instrument, but then it isn’t promising something it can’t deliver. These rankings take a regional look at states’ commitment to workforce development relative to other states in the same region base...

5 Predictions for Wisconsin’s Tech Ecosystem in 2020

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

In 2019, Wisconsin made strides to position itself as a place for tech and startup growth. Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee launched a $150 million fund to invest into startups. Madison was named No. 7 on a list of the best startup cities in the Midwest. And Titletown Tech, the venture hub and fund operated by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, officially opened. Each milestone was evidence of Wisconsin’s growing tech ecosystem. To get a sense of what Wisconsin’s tech future looks like, Wisconsin Inno asked several venture capitalists and startup experts about what they see coming down the pipeline in 2020. Read full article.

WEDC wants to prioritize rural growth

Monday, January 27, 2020

The state’s economic development agency wants to make rural areas a priority. Missy Hughes is the CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and she’s looking forward to setting up a new Office of Rural Prosperity. She hopes people will reach out to them with ideas for potential businesses and projects. Read full article.

2020 Vision

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Our annual 50-state report focuses on economic development laws, leaders, policies, indicators and projects from the past year. Use it to form a clearer picture of every state’s business climate. The collective knowledge and capabilities of the U.S. workforce is worth an estimated $240 trillion,” wrote Joe Parilla, a fellow at Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, in a December 2019 research note, “four times more valuable than the country’s physical capital stock and 10 times more valuable than all the urban land in the United States.” What form does that value take? One way to quantify it is by professional certifications. Accordin...

Tips for Navigating Incentives in Site Selection Process

Saturday, January 25, 2020

A thorough understanding of the components of each incentive program is key to a mutually successful incentive offer and ultimately a community partnership. More Collaboration Expected Compared to 10 years ago, there have some notable changes to today’s site selection process. I think one of the more important changes is the incentive package. The kinds of incentives offered a company 10 or 15 years ago, or maybe even five years ago, are going to be very different than what they're going to receive right now. Unemployment's really, really low right now, so communities aren’t as concerneddon't care right now about the number o...

Broadband in 2020: The Momentum West Region is Telecommuter Forward!

Friday, January 17, 2020

The Momentum West region is comprised of several Telecommuter Forward! certified communities. These communities have demonstrated a commitment to supporting telecommuters through the installation of fiber and ready access to fast internet speeds. As a result, the region has become home to a growing number of telecommuters working for corporations throughout the country - all from the comfort of home. The ready availability of broadband can be attributed to a partnership between local telecommunications companies, cooperatives, local government and the state. Telecommunications companies and cooperatives have heavily invested in broadband and government grants have helped to pay for a portion o...

4 Steps to Growing Your Business Now

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Did your growth stall in 2019? Here's how you can engineer a bigger, better year for your business. Q: My business stalled out in 2019. What can I do to give myself the highest likelihood of growth in 2020? -- Aden, Minneapolis The challenge of growing a business is surprisingly similar to the difficulties of losing weight. It’s something I realized after growing my first business, a fitness consultancy called Born Fitness. Each year, people set resolutions (goals, KPIs), start off strong (lots of early-year focus), get frustrated (friction from the process), plateau (return to old habits), and watch apathy set in (panic and lack of focus if goals ar...

Are You Meeting (and Setting) Customers' Expectations?

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

To succeed, the value of what you offer must be greater than what people expect. My family and I went out for brunch recently in Miami. We ordered about $60 worth of food, and when the waiter asked what I’d like to drink, I said what I always do: “Just water, please.” “We charge 50 cents for water because we filter it five times,” the waiter said. That’s ridiculous, I replied. The waiter agreed -- in fact, he said, he’d been trying to talk the restaurant’s owner out of this policy for a while now. But the owner wouldn’t budge because he’d invested in som...

Menomonie business wins Main Street Makeover Contest

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Ted’s Pizza Palace to receive up to $10,000 to help give business facelift MADISON, WI. – Ted’s Pizza Palace in downtown Menomonie has been named the winner in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) annual Main Street Makeover Contest. The restaurant, celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2020, is a well-known local dining destination owned by Jim and Kim Gounaikis. A downtown mainstay, the restaurant was selected as the winner of the makeover contest based on the business’s successful track record, clear community support and the potential to refresh the interior and exterior of the building to create an enhanced dining experience tha...

Energy producers account for $20 billion economic impact

Friday, December 13, 2019

An advocacy group backed by utilities and trade groups in the state is touting the $20 billion annual economic impact associated with Wisconsin energy producers. Fair Rates for Wisconsin’s Dairyland was created in 2015 with funding from organizations such as Alliant Energy, We Energies and WPPI Energy, as well as Dairyland Power Cooperative, the Wisconsin Building Trades Council, the Wisconsin Laborers District Council and others. Read full article.

Governor Evers: Brookings/ITIF proposal would significantly boost funding for Wisconsin tech leaders

Monday, December 09, 2019

Report calls for 10-year, $100 billion federal Investment in “heartland” tech centers MADISON, WI. – Governor Tony Evers urged Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to give careful consideration to a new proposal that would provide up to $100 billion in the next decade to fund technological entrepreneurship and innovation in so-called “heartland” states. A report released jointly by the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) notes the growing economic gap between a handful of highest technology, highest R&D “superstar” metropolitan areas, mostly located on the east and west coasts, and the rest of the country. Read ful...

New bar and grill Diablo Blue set to open at former Rehab location

Friday, December 06, 2019

Business partners Michael Creviston and Paul Wilkes felt downtown Menomonie was missing something regarding its bar scene. They wanted to a create a place that is equally a home for locals, as well college students. Creviston and Wilkes, with their years of experience in the entertainment and bars and restaurants industries, have opened Diablo Blue at 631 Broadway Street S., once home to the bar Rehab. Read full article.

State’s aging population impacting health care workforce; Higher-paying occupations supporting job growth

Monday, December 02, 2019

Patients in Wisconsin are spending more time in hospitals after more than a decade of declining hospital stays, according to Ann Zenk, vice president of workforce and clinical practice at the Wisconsin Hospital Association. In a recent interview, she highlighted results of a health care workforce report from WHA, noting the impact of the state’s aging population is starting to become apparent. Read full article.

WITC scholarships given to three Menomonie graduates for spring semester

Monday, December 02, 2019

RICE LAKE — Three WITC students from Menomonie received scholarships for the spring semester. Mackenzie Fyre, who studying early childhood education received the New Richmond Community Child Care Scholarship. Emily Hawkins is also studying early childhood education and she received the WITC—New Richmond Staff Scholarship. Nursing student April Simmons was given the Judy Rogers Whiteman Memorial Scholarship. Read full article.

Mission Wisconsin team profile: Andy Wentworth

Sunday, December 01, 2019

The goal of the Mission Wisconsin initiative is to connect military personnel and families separating from service with the opportunities Wisconsin has to offer, whether that’s quality education, a fulfilling career, a welcoming community or any support they need as they move into the next phase of their lives. Like any mission, it couldn’t happen without boots on the ground—the Mission Wisconsin team. We recently sat down with Andy Wentworth to hear what being part of the Mission Wisconsin team means to him. Andy served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and is a Wisconsin native, working at the Wisconsin Economic Developmen...

Menomonie High School looking to offer embedded business management associate's degree through CVTC

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Students at the Menomonie High School could soon have the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree while in high school. The district is working on an embedded associate’s degree program through Chippewa Valley Technical College, Brian Seguin, director of instruction, assessment and 4K programing, said at Monday’s School District of the Menomonie Area Board of Education meeting. Read full article.

New online tool to help businesses set up internships

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- The UW system is unveiling a new online tool kit to help businesses set up internship programs with UW schools. At a meeting, UW System President, Ray Cross, spoke about the importance of setting up internship programs in order to meet the state's workforce needs. Representatives with the WEDC say the new online resource will help employers grow their businesses. Read full article.

New: Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic opening in new location soon

Monday, November 11, 2019

Eau Claire (WQOW) – Those who rely on Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic for eye care will soon be able to see their doctor again. Last week, a fire broke out at the clinic causing $4.4 million in damage and leaving the building unusable. Heidi Jarecki, co-owner of the clinic, told News 18 they have secured a temporary location at 1110 Oakridge Drive in Eau Claire. That is back behind HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and Marshfield Medical Center. Read full article.

WEDC announces deputy secretary and chief operating officer

Friday, November 08, 2019

Current deputy secretary is taking senior position with JP Cullen Sam Rikkers has joined the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) as deputy secretary and chief operating officer (COO), the organization’s secretary and CEO, Missy Hughes, announced. Rikkers, who is currently strategic economic initiatives director at the Department of Administration (DOA), will succeed Tricia Braun. Braun is leaving WEDC to join Wisconsin-based JP Cullen, where she was recruited as a strategic hire to work primarily with the commercial contractor’s industrial client portfolio. Read full article.

Startup innovations seen as key to fixing ‘broken’ health care system

Thursday, November 07, 2019

Kristine Seymour, a partner with Michael Best Strategies, says startup innovations could be key to fixing what she sees as a broken health care system. “My experience is, there’s a recognition of people who are in health care, that the way we reimburse and the way the system works is broken and we need to change that,” she said yesterday at the Early Stage Symposium in Madison. “I think digital solutions in health care are one way to do that.” The annual conference is held by the Wisconsin Technology Council to spotlight and connect startups, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors. Seymour spoke a...

New DOR business development unit to support WEDC strategy

Sunday, November 03, 2019

Revenue Secretary Peter Barca says a new business development unit at DOR will support the WEDC’s economic development strategy. “We’re trying to augment what WEDC is doing,” Barca told WisBusiness.com in a recent interview. He says the new Business Development and Government Relations unit, or BDGR, has the support of the state’s regional economic development groups and Gov. Tony Evers. Barca says the unit will complement the guv’s statewide economic development initiative, which calls on agencies to collaborate to drive growth in all 72 counties. Read full article.

New expansion in Menomonie will create 199 jobs

Sunday, November 03, 2019

MENOMONIE, Wis. (WEAU)— A Menomonie manufacturer is expanding its facilities and is expected to create 199 jobs over the next three years. Vets Plus Inc. who is a manufacturer and distributor of animal health and nutrition products, is expanding their facilities on Stokke Parkway and Domain Drive. The company says the Stokke Parkway site expansion added 30,000 feet and will result in 139 full-time positions. The Domain Drive site will be renovated and adding 60 new positions. Read full article.

Wisconsin ranks second in the nation for National Science Foundation business grant success rate

Saturday, November 02, 2019

Wisconsin ranks second nationally in the success rate of businesses applying for National Science Foundation (NSF) business grants, underscoring the strong support health and life science startups in the state receive in their commercialization journey. Read full article.

Craft Distilleries Become Key To Wisconsin Tourism

Friday, November 01, 2019

Tasting Rooms For Craft Spirits Can Be A Draw In Small Communities The business of craft distilling is growing in Wisconsin and in some communities, Wisconsin-made vodka, whiskey and other spirits are becoming a crucial part of a marketing pitch to tourists. Speaking on WPR’s regional talk show "Route 51," Sara Brish, of the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the creation of the Central Wisconsin Craft Collective, which promotes Portage County distilleries as well as breweries and wineries, has led to an increase in the region’s hotel stays and visits to local attractions. Read full article.

Wisconsin school districts encouraged to apply for Fab Labs Grants

Friday, November 01, 2019

WEDC expects to award grants to 30 districts; deadline is Dec. 12 The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is now accepting applications for the fifth year of its Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program, which provides funding to help public schools build or expand fab labs. The grant program supports hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education by assisting public school districts with equipment purchases for instructional and educational purposes in fab labs. Fab labs are high-tech workshops with the latest equipment, including computer-controlled manufacturing components such as 3D printers, laser engravers and computer numerical control routers. Read full article.

Virtual Spec Building Places Businesses Near Major Corporations

Tuesday, October 08, 2019

Expanding businesses that are looking to be close to the Twin Cities, yet far enough away to enjoy affordable real estate and a low cost of doing business, will benefit from a location in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Located on Interstate 94, the main corridor connecting the Twin Cities and Chicago metropolitan areas, Menomonie provides businesses easy and convenient access to major markets, from a beautiful and affordable location. The Menomonie Dunn County Wisconsin Virtual Spec Building makes it even easier to make the move. Designed as a solution for businesses looking to build quickly, the virtual spec building provides the best o...

Take the Survey! Let Us Know Your Thoughts on Public Transportation Today

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Your voice matters! Take this quick s urvey and let us know what would work best for you! The Commute to Careers Program is an initiative aiming to strategically increase public transportation and make getting to work easier and more convenient in the Menomonie Area. It should take less than 3 minutes to complete. Do it today! Take the Survey Online! OR Call (715) 232-4009 to learn about more options to easily take the survey!

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