The Buzz from WCEDA - upcoming networking events you won't want to miss and much more... |
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We cannot solve problems with the kind of thinking we employed when we came up with them. ~ Albert Einstein
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In this email...
Upcoming Events l Membership News Workforce News l County Developments Economic Indicators l Other News Valuable Resources |
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A few words from WCEDA's Executive Director, Derek D'Auria ... |
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Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 9, 2023 for WCEDA's Workforce Symposium!
Join us at the beautiful Treasury in Delavan for WCEDA's first annual Workforce Symposium. Keynote speaker, Michelle Greiner from JW Speaker will address topics such as - Analyzing your talent
- Clearly defining positions - is everyone on the same page?
- Why are your employees working at your company?
- Honest and quick communication
- Re-imagining standard recruiting practices and techniques
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Executing retention strategies
Representatives from area schools will shed some light on how to successfully and easily onboard new talent through the Youth Apprenticeship program, and other area professionals will share their experiences with employee referral programs, work/life balance through flexible work schedules, competitive compensation, and methods for attracting and choosing the right candidates. Michelle Greiner
Michelle has been recruiting people for 25 years —14 of which have been with J.W. Speaker in Germantown where she currently has the role of Talent Acquisition Manager. The company has over 500 employees and develops and manufactures innovative, high-performance LED lighting technology for automotive, powersports, transport and industrial products and has experienced significant growth over that past 15 years. Greiner is constantly searching for top talent in the marketplace — whether it be engineers, supply chain/operations experts, skilled and technical workers, sales/marketing, or any other driven, passionate people looking for an outstanding company where they can share their talents. When she is not sourcing talent for JW Speaker, she is working on a variety of other tasks, including administering their safety program, employee relations and development, overseeing their internship program, creating and conducting employee trainings, and much, much more. Greiner says the company has a powerful mission statement: Be the Best, Make Money, and Have Fun. People are the source of the company's success, and they employ progressive strategies to attract and retain talent.
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| WCEDA's Annual State of the County
Registration is coming soon for WCEDA's Annual State of the County event. This year's event will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023.
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We will fail when we fail to try. ~Rosa Parks
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Thank you to all the WCEDA members who hosted job shadows this month! - Kunes Auto & RV Group
- Stebnitz Builders
- Lake Lawn Resort
- Prop Shaft Supply
- Integra
- Golden Years
- Radius Packaging
- Gage Marine
- Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
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| | ElkWorks Noon Whistle with Governor Tony Evers
During this episode, Governor Evers discusses his journey from educator to Governor, talks about his accomplishments in public office, and the impact education has on the Wisconsin economy. [Watch] |
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| | Grand Geneva Employer Visit
The Elkhorn YouthBuild students visited Grand Geneva for an employer visit. The students walked the entire grounds, visited all the key attractions, and learned about the available employment opportunities. Thank you for a great visit! [See the full post] |
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Thank you Custom Service Plastics for hosting the last Made in Walworth County member event! If you are a MIWC member and would like to host an event, or if you'd like more information about joining MIWC, please contact Lisa Pavett. |
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| It's Flower Time again for the beautification of downtown Elkhorn! The Flowerpot program, sponsored by the Elkhorn Economic Development Alliance and (WCEDA), is aimed at beautifying the city of Elkhorn by placing flowerpots in the downtown area. These pots will be cared for from June through October. Yes, you may sponsor more than one pot, to increase your name recognition!
Support of this program is three-fold. - The students of the Horticultural department of Elkhorn High School grow the plants, sell the plants, and plant the pots,
- The Seeds of Hope horticultural and recreational community will water the plants. (The Seeds of Hope brings new growth opportunities to adults with developmental and other disabilities)
- Lastly, the downtown business district of Elkhorn will be beautiful for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Please consider a sponsorship opportunity. We look forward to advertising your business. [View the flyer] |
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Improved Communication Skills, Priority Identification, Conflict Resolution, Bad Behavior Management, Worker Engagement, Avoidance of Harassment and Discrimination, Development of Leadership Tools Module I - In Progress Module II starts May 3, 2023.
[More Info/Upcoming Sessions] |
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This advanced leadership series isn’t a one-off course. We’re presenting an opportunity to join others and work with an expert in organizational psychology, organizational development and change leadership on building the human side of your business. We know that our local business community is the most technically capable out there. We also know that what prevents us from realizing our greatness has a human face. Session In Progress
Contact Susan Smolarek for information how your management team can join in the next session. [More Info] |
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Business After Hours Join us for a Walworth County-wide Off The Clock Networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26 at the East Troy Electric Railroad. Board at 5 p.m. at the East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy.
Get a taste of the Railroad's popular dinner train menu with a sampling of hors d'oeuvres from Toothpicks Catering and The Elegant Farmer as well as a cash bar. [Register] |
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| Walworth County Spring 2023 Job Fair Wednesday, April 19, 2023 1PM-4PM The Ridge Hotel W4240 WI-50 Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Meet with representatives from local companies who are hiring for seasonal, part-time, and full-time positions including: hospitality (resort, restaurant, and marina), landscaping and maintenance, accounting, administration, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and much more. [More Info] |
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| Small Business Academy 2023
This four-day FREE virtual conference takes place in the mornings from May 2 to 5.
In addition, on May 5, you will also have the opportunity to join in-person events across the state hosted by partner organizations in the following cities: Appleton, Beloit, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, and Rhinelander.
[Learn More] |
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Nothing new this month!
For past & present county developments, visit the newsletter section of our website here. |
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To read more about each indicator, visit the newsletter section of our website here. |
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According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Wisconsin fell 0.1 percentage points in January 2023 to 2.9%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 percentage points lower than the national... |
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The 10-2 Treasury Yield Spread is the difference between the 10 year treasury rate and the 2 year treasury rate. A 10-2 treasury spread that approaches 0 signifies a "flattening" yield curve. A negative 10-2 yield... |
| Durable goods orders in the US which measure the cost of orders received by manufacturers of goods meant to last at least three years, dropped 1% month-over-month in February of 2023, following an upwardly revised 5% plunge in... |
| The Average Crude Oil Spot Price calculates an equally weighted price of the WTI Crude Oil Price, Brent Crude Oil Price, and Dubai Crude Oil Price. This metric gives a nice overview of the broad crude oil market, rather than looking at one type.... |
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| Radius receives 2022 Plastics News Excellence in Industry & Public Service award
This award recognizes outstanding commitment and performance in the plastics industry and the community. Specifically, Radius was recognized for our internship and apprenticeship programs and our passion for community education. They were also cheered for their sustainability initiatives such as cutting energy costs and being a leading educational resource for our customers. [More]
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| Gage Marine 150th Anniversary: 1873-2023
Gage Marine is excited to be celebrating our 150th anniversary this year! Since 1873, we have been living our core values, With a passion for fun, and a commitment to excellence, we serve our customers, colleagues, and our community. We want to honor our community for their support, celebrate our employees for their hard work, and thank our customers for their patronage and loyalty. Please join us for a year of celebration! [More]
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Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is beginning a regional broadband assessment in an effort to bring broadband to more Wisconsinites. The first step in the process is to conduct speed testing across the region. To take the test, residents and businesses simply need to visit, from their home or work location. It will only take a few moments and personal information is always protected and never shared. [Take the Test]
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| Gov. Evers Announces State Capital Budget Recommendations
Gov. Tony Evers recently unveiled his 2023-25 Capital Budget, which proposes a $3.8 billion investment to help upgrade the state’s infrastructure and to support major state building projects in 28 counties across Wisconsin. Evers’ proposal is one of the largest state government building plans in recent memory, but it also borrows less than in recent years by tapping into the state’s budget surplus to pay for some project costs up-front. [Read on]
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SBA Administrator Guzman Announces National Small Business Week 2023
SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s over 33 million small businesses, announced National Small Business Week (NSBW) will take place April 30-May 6, 2023. This annual tradition, led by the SBA for more than 60 years, is co-hosted by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses. During NSBW, the SBA recognizes the hard work, ingenuity, and dedication of America’s small businesses, and celebrates their contributions to the economy. [Read On]
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Wisconsin Migration Paradox: Net Losses and Gains Explained
Greatest Net Migration from Illinois and Minnesota, Largest Loss to Florida, Texas, and Arizona [Read the article] |
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Visit our website for additional resources. |
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Walworth County Child Care Study
Snapshot Study of Child Care from a Walworth County, Wisconsin Perspective, August, 2022. Prepared by Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA) [Read the Report]
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| $5K-$25K grants: Small Business Growth Fund
In partnership with Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and with funding from Etsy and Progressive, Hello Alice’s Small Business Growth Fund is offering $5,000-$25,000 grants to provide entrepreneurs the capital they need to make their next move. Applications for the current round are open through April 21, 2023, at 6 p.m. ET.
To be eligible, a business must be a U.S.-based, for-profit business, have a commitment to its customers and community, and have a clear plan to use the grant funds. [Apply] |
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| WWBIC’s Invest in Business Grant
Launching the first week of April, WWBIC’s Invest in Business Grant is available to support diverse Wisconsin businesses including those in underserved communities or other areas disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. $3,000,000 in total will be distributed with individual grants available based on need up to $10,000. [More Info]
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Baker Tilly CommuniTIES Connection - The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
- Treasury issues environmental justice bonus credit allocation guidance
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Electric vehicle tax credit update
- Exploring IRA benefits for public school districts
[Go to the newsletter] |
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| Incumbent Workers Training (IWT)
In today’s ever-changing marketplace, the importance of job training has never been greater. Forward Careers's Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) grant is a way to keep your organization competitive.
Start your application now. The next round will be in the fall. [Learn More] |
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| Wisconsin Tax Bulletin
The Wisconsin Tax Bulletin (WTB) is a quarterly newsletter published by the Department of Revenue. It includes information about taxes administered by the department?, including income, corporation franchise, sales and use, excise tax, and withholding taxes.
[More Info] |
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| Ally Grant
WEDC’s Diverse Business Development Program is designed to promote inclusivity in Wisconsin’s economy by supporting existing, new and expanding businesses owned by minorities, women, LGBTQ individuals, veterans and people with disabilities. As part of this program, the new Ally Grant pilot initiative aims to foster the development of new and/or emerging diverse-based nonprofit organizations that support diverse business communities, with a specific focus on organizations WEDC has not previously funded. [Learn More]
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| Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)
C-PACE is a property tax-assessment financing mechanism for energy & water
efficiency and renewable energy improvements to commercial properties. Benefits include: finance up to 100% of hard + soft costs, fixed rate, long-term: 20 – 30 years, tenants share cost & savings, transfers to new owner upon sale, potential off-balance sheet treatment, reduce waste & improve experience. [Learn More] |
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| WCEDA Loan Program
Are you having trouble getting a loan? Are your revenues under $1 million? WCEDA may be able to HELP. We have a loan program through the USDA for small businesses called the HometownEntrepreneur Loan Program (HELP) that aims to help small business access capital. Many times we can work with banks or other programs like SBA or WHEDA to make a loan work for companies.
[APPLICATION]
[ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES] [CONTACT ME] |
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