The Buzz from WCEDA - upcoming networking events you won't want to miss and much more... |
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WCEDA is your source for all things business - workforce, expansions, location resources, financial connections, legislative advocacy, career awareness with youth, networking events, and initiatives to address county-wide issues like housing. |
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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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| WCEDA 20th Anniversary Sponsor
We proudly acknowledge our 20th Anniversary Sponsor, whose support allows WCEDA to deliver valuable programs, insights, and connections to the businesses and communities we serve. Their commitment helps ensure a thriving future for Walworth County. |
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Have you gotten your tickets for the 2026 Walworth County Pro/Am Culinary Showdown, yet? You won't want to miss this year's experience as we take the competition global! Huge thanks to our Gourmet Title Sponsor, Kikkoman, and all of this year's sponsors who are helping support our Kareers4Kids program. Click on the video below to learn more and get your tickets today before they sell out!
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| WELCOME FIRST AMERICAN BANK
WCEDA'S NEWEST GOLD INVESTOR!
Why support WCEDA? We are a 501(c)(6) non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life for Walworth County residents by working with public and private sector partners to advance efforts that create jobs and build private sector investment in our communities. We host events for local businesses that connect them with resources and education to facilitate their growth. [Learn more]
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WCEDA's 2nd Annual Walworth County Pro/Am Culinary Showdown
Sunday, | January 25 | 2026 • Noon-2pm Lake Lawn Resort
READY TO EAT AROUND THE WORLD? This year’s Pro/Am Culinary Showdown is going global! High school culinary stars are teaming up with local pro chefs to create their best dish — inspired by Germany, Italy, Thailand, France, and Morocco.
Last year tickets sold out, so get yours now. You don't miss this exciting and fun event!
For sponsorship opportunities click here.
Check out last year's event here. |
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| WCEDA Member Holiday Party
Thursday | January 15 | 2026 5pm to 8pm, Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce Are you a member of WCEDA or the Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce?
If so, we cordially invite you to join us for a night of holiday fun!
Drinks | Food | Networking |
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| Attention businesses!
Get out your schedules because it's time to get some Career-Based Learning Experiences on the calendar! We are looking to meet with member businesses to come up with some dates for the current school year. Here are some ideas for experiences you might want to consider offering.
Look for an email or call from Leslie Gostomski, or schedule a meeting at your convenience here.
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| Craftsman with Character
On Wednesday, January 7 the Elkhorn and Delavan-Darien Area school districts kicked off their Craftsman with Character program with a signing ceremony at Gateway Technical College. Ten students and ten regional businesses will work together over the semester-long program designed to expose students to careers in the trades and manufacturing, while building soft skills and character development. The successful program is in its 2nd year, with ongoing support and partnership from WCEDA. For more information, or to get involved, contact us.
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Spanish for Business
Organizations in Wisconsin increasingly operate with bilingual, culturally diverse workforces. When language and cultural gaps exist between supervisors and front-line employees, important information can be misunderstood—affecting safety, quality, and productivity. This 45-hour program strengthens communication across English- and Spanish-speaking team members using job-specific Spanish, cultural competency, and real manufacturing scenarios.
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Click on the image to get the PDF
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| Fundamentals of Leadership
Leadership isn’t built in a day—it’s cultivated through coaching, practice, and reflection. WCEDA’s Fundamentals of Leadership program helps emerging and existing leaders develop the soft skills that drive measurable results: better communication, higher engagement, and stronger teams. Our approach goes beyond traditional “training.” Participants are coached to apply what they learn—turning ideas into habits, and habits into measurable improvement. Over sixteen weeks, each module focuses on core outcomes:
- Improved Communication Skills that build clarity and trust
- Priority Identification that aligns teams around what truly matters
- Conflict Resolution that strengthens workplace culture
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Bad Behavior Management that prevents toxicity from spreading
- Worker Engagement that drives retention and productivity
- Avoidance of Harassment and Discrimination that safeguards every employee
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Development of Leadership Tools that create consistency across the organization
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| Top Level Leadership
Bringing together senior and executive-level managers who are dedicated to creating not only the most technically proficient organizations but the healthiest, most nimble teams and dynamic organizational cultures.
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. |
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About WCEDA's Workforce Housing Program
Over the course of the past three years, housing has become an increasing priority for us (WCEDA) to address. Many counties in the region are facing similar challenges and are in various stages of addressing this issue — an issue that may be the number one barrier for workforce at the moment... Go to WCEDA's Housing Page to learn more.
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| WCEDA News Notes Monthly Housing Newsletter
Would you like to stay up to date on the progress of WCEDA's Housing Initiative to address workforce housing in our county? Let us know and we'll add you to the News Notes email list! Email pam@walworthbusiness.com. |
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Workforce Housing Development Gaining Momentum Across the Region Workforce housing development is taking shape in communities across Wisconsin, as cities and villages respond to growing housing shortages with innovative redevelopment projects and public-private partnerships.
In Dousman, a former Methodist church is being rehabilitated into housing, repurposing an underused property to help address local housing needs. Likewise, Johnson Creek is working to rehabilitate a former school building for housing, adding to the community’s limited housing stock while giving new life to an existing structure. These projects reflect a broader trend of communities looking to adaptive reuse as a practical solution to limited housing supply.
In the Milwaukee area, large-scale redevelopment efforts are also incorporating workforce housing. The redevelopment of Mayfair Mall is projected to include a mixed-use development featuring new business venues alongside approximately 900 new housing units. City officials are working closely with developers to ensure the project contributes to Milwaukee’s long-term housing goals. Brookfield is also poised to add workforce housing through a planned apartment development by KCG Development, an Indiana-based firm. The project is expected to provide much-needed rental options for working residents in the area.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee-based Emem Group is advancing multiple housing initiatives within the city. The firm is securing financing to build homes on 40 vacant city-owned lots, following the Milwaukee Common Council’s unanimous approval of a resolution allowing negotiations with the city. In addition, Emem Group is partnering with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity on a separate effort to construct 120 homes within a Milwaukee neighborhood. Milwaukee is also pursuing a broader policy approach through a new “Missing Middle” housing initiative. In recent years, much of the city’s housing development has consisted of large single-family homes and large market-rate apartment complexes. City leaders are now recommending zoning code changes aimed at making it easier to build smaller-scale, moderately priced housing types—such as duplexes, townhomes, and small apartment buildings—that are more attainable for residents.
Projects like these are just a sampling of the housing activity occurring around Walworth County and surrounding areas. The shortage of “Missing Middle” housing is a nationwide issue, and local leaders increasingly recognize that meaningful progress requires collaboration at the community level.
Across these initiatives, a common theme has emerged: cooperation among local governments, builders, developers, lenders, civic organizations, churches, schools, property owners, and residents. Addressing the housing challenge may require zoning changes, creative financing, redevelopment of existing properties, and new partnerships. Community collaboration, officials say, is a critical element in delivering housing options that are affordable and accessible to working residents.
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Brandon McConnell, Corporate Executive of Delavan Lake Management including Lake Lawn Resort and Delavan Lake Resort, was honored by Hotel Management Magazine in the 2026 class of Forty over 40. Designed to honor the wealth of experience, unmatched dedication, and unwavering commitment to elevating the standards of service and guest experience, these individuals embody the epitome of leadership, vision and resilience, serving as inspirations to the next generation of hoteliers and shaping the future of the hospitality industry. Congratulations, Brandon! For full article click [Here]
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Nick Vorpagel of Lake Geneva Country Meats made his magazine cover debut with an article featured in meatingplace. If you're interested in learning more about LGCM and what we they do to stay relevant, you can read the full article at [Here]
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WCEDA Manufacturing Members among Finalists for Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year |
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Community Outreach Offerings
WCEDA Member Aurora Health offers a variety of community outreach offerings. Check out opportunities available December - February by clicking HERE.
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Broadband Assessment
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is running 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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NEWS ALERT! Zoning Scam
We continue to receive reports of fraudulent emails and invoices that appear to be official correspondence from our zoning and planning staff. These fraudulent solicitations direct residents to promptly pay an invoice via wire transfer so the department can finalize a zoning permit. These scams are extremely sophisticated, appear professional, use our official logo on what appears to be official letterhead, and may even use the names of Walworth County zoning and planning employees to appear legitimate. These emails were not sent by Walworth County zoning staff, and the department would never send emails requesting wire transfers in exchange for permits. Please do not respond to these notices, and exercise caution with any unsolicited email you receive. Red flags that indicate the email is fraudulent include:
- Suspicious contact information not affiliated with Walworth County. All emails from Walworth County’s Land Use division end with @co.walworth.wi.us.
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Pressure to pay promptly via wire transfer. The Land Use and Resource Management Department accepts cash, checks, or credit card payments and will never send unsolicited emails pressuring residents to pay zoning application fees.
Anyone who receives a suspicious email or invoice should avoid making payments and call the Walworth County Land Use and Resource Management office at (262) 741-4972. |
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To read more about each indicator, visit the newsletter section of our website here. |
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According toThe Department of Workforce Development the unemployment rate for Wisconsin as of December 2025 was 3.1%, seasonally adjusted. The state unemployment rate was 1.3 percentage points lower than the Federal unemployment... |
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10-2 Year Treasury Yield Spread is at 0.72%, compared to 0.71% the previous market day and 0.32% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 0.85%...
[More] |
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The October 2025 release for Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders Full Report originally scheduled for December 5, 2025 has been rescheduled for release on January 7, 2026... |
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Average Crude Oil Spot Price is at a current level of 62.34, down from 63.04 last month and down from 72.29 one year ago. This is a change of -1.12% from last month and -13.77% from one year ago...[More] |
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New Wisconsin Fast Forward grant now available
A new grant opportunity is available from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Office of Skills Development. Under the Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) program the grant opportunity funds innovative and collaborative customized worker training programs in all industry sectors. Key features of the program:
- Grants are available to companies of any size in all industry sectors.
- Award amounts range from $5,000 to $400,000. A consortium of employers may apply for more than $400,000.
- Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the grant award amount is required.
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Grantees must complete training of at least 85% of the contracted number of trainees.
- At least 65% of trainees must be placed in positions with placement partners in the grant application that require skills taught in the training.
- At least 75% of incumbent trainees must receive increased wages.
- Applications are due by 3 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.
Find additional information or apply on the [WFF website]. |
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| Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business,
including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
For more information about SBA, please visit [website] |
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| DNR Launches The Environmental Responsibility Navigator New Tool Helps Small Businesses With Environmental Compliance
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in honor of National Small Business Week, launched the new Environmental Responsibility Navigator (Enviro-Nav) to help small businesses with environmental compliance.
This tool, which was funded through the 2023-2025 state budget, provides a one-stop shop for businesses to easily understand the environmental requirements that apply to them, including those related to air pollution, water use/discharge and waste generation.
All types of businesses can benefit from the information offered in Enviro-Nav, and... [Learn More] |
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| SBA Lender Match
Get $500 to $5.5 million to help you grow your business! SBA-backed loans range from small to large and can be used for most business purposes, including long-term fixed assets and operating capital. Connect with an SBA-approved lender: https://www.sba.gov/lendermatch
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| WWBIC New Resources & Partners
WWBIC is offering more diverse trainings and events now than ever before! Fill out their updated Client/Business Information form by clicking the link below to make sure that you will be notified once any grants, networking events and more are available! [Form]
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| Property Values and Taxes DataTool
This DataTool explores key trends in statewide property values and tax levies, which are important indicators of the state's economic health, the cost borne by taxpayers, and the finances of its local governments. In this streamlined interactive format, users can view separate analyses of southeast Wisconsin and Dane County data, or explore the statewide data themselves, filtering by municipality or county to easily create custom reports.
Check out the tool |
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Small Business Development Grant (SBDG) The Small Business Development Grant (SBDG) Program will offer financial incentives for communities and organizations to develop innovative programs that directly support small businesses and small business creation. [Learn More] |
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Wisconsin Green Innovation Fund
When more Wisconsinites can participate in our state’s clean energy transition, we’ll reach our environmental and energy independence goals faster. That’s where the Green Innovation Fund comes in. The Green Innovation Fund leverages public and private funds to invest in strategic energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that benefit traditionally underserved businesses, residents, and communities across Wisconsin. By facilitating the widespread adoption of clean energy technologies, the Fund will ultimately improve overall quality of life in our state. [Learn More]
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| RelyLocal
The national economy depends heavily on the health of local economies, and the local economy depends on the health of the local businesses. Local businesses not only contribute to the local economy, but are the foundation of a healthy community overall. Our goal? To develop strategies to support local businesses (across the country) by Developing new solutions to support local businesses, creating local campaigns to revitalize local communities, and putting America back to work. [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 - PDF, Webpage]
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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 Hometown Entrepreneur 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 WCEDA]
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| Workplace Financial Solutions
Associated Bank offers a FREE program for employers and employees: Workplace Financial Solutions. The WFS program is dedicated to providing individuals with the education and resources needed to build long-term financial stability. Providing comprehensive financial literacy services designed to equip clients with the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed financial decisions and achieve peace of mind. [Learn More]
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