WEDA Wire – September 7, 2023

Hello Team Wisconsin! I hope your Labor Day weekend was filled with fun, enjoying friends and family! The kiddos are back in school, the weather is refreshing, and the anticipation for Fall is building. In fact, later this month, WEDA brings its Fall Best Practices Conference to Wausau and Rib Mountain! I encourage you to come for the conference and stay to experience the magnificent colors of autumn in central Wisconsin.

The Fall Best Practices Conference provides an opportunity to dive into economic development and how it is successfully applied in communities across the state. Economic development practitioners like you will have the opportunity to study best practices and take those ideas back home to grow your local economies. We’ll also spend some time talking about leadership and envisioning your community’s future prosperity. On that note, our Young Professional WEDA Green Team will convene to envision WEDA’s bold future. If you’re new to the industry, a young professional, or just enthusiastic to network with our younger members, look for signage about meeting up at the conference. With that in mind, if you haven’t done so, now is the time to register for the conference.

One of the most exciting Fall WEDA events has long been the Community & Economic Development Awards (CEDA) program – better known as Wisconsin’s Academy Awards of Economic Development!  Our dedicated CEDA Selection and Production Committee accomplished the unimaginable task of determining the top finalists in a huge pool of nominees.  The committee combed through numerous entries to find the most compelling projects and initiatives worthy of recognition and celebration. I personally read through the top 25 nominated projects from all corners of Wisconsin, and I wish we could literally honor and celebrate every single one of them. In short, the CEDA Awards luncheon will give us the opportunity to celebrate and honor the most exceptional contributions to our state’s prosperity and economic growth!

Speaking of conferences, WEDA is already planning the 2024 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, which will be held next February at the Kalahari in the Wisconsin Dells. And since WEDA is member driven, we would very much appreciate your input on conference content.  Please submit your thoughts and ideas HERE.

All the best to you and your families as we close out summer and usher in Wisconsin’s glorious autumn.

By Missy Hughes, CEO of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

This year’s Wisconsin Economic Summit will highlight the power of unity, innovation, and shared vision as we meet again at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center in Appleton on Oct. 23-24.

Our theme, “TOGETHER,” will encourage us to dive into discussions about how businesses, nonprofits, educators, and economic developers can forge partnerships—and connect with public resources—that will drive our state’s economy forward. Guided by this shared purpose, we aim to create an economy that empowers every Wisconsinite to thrive.

At the heart of this gathering is a focus on key topics that are pivotal to Wisconsin’s future prosperity, including:

• Collaborating to foster economic growth.
• Meeting today’s workforce needs while preparing our workforce for the future.
• Building financial stability for all Wisconsinites.
• Strengthening communities and infrastructure.
• Nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Achieving growth through innovative sustainability and energy solutions.

The summit will feature a lineup of distinguished speakers who have led with vision and innovation in their respective fields. Jeff Yabuki, Chairman and Founding Partner of Motive Partners, and former CEO of Fiserv, Inc., will be our keynote speaker. Jeff’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and innovation, values that align with WEDC’s mission of building an economy for all. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights from a visionary who has driven change on a global scale.

Also joining us will be Amy Pechacek, Secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and Chris Baichoo, Executive Director/CEO of WMEP Manufacturing Solutions. These leaders will share their perspectives on navigating the evolving economic landscape, offering valuable insights into workforce development, innovation, and community building.

One of the summit’s highlights is the Great Career Tryout — an interactive showcase that invites you to experience the future of workforce training firsthand. Showcasing cutting-edge tools and techniques, this initiative reinforces our commitment to preparing Wisconsin’s workforce for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. From robotics to nursing, this hands-on opportunity, presented by Workforce Innovation Grant recipients, underscores our dedication to equipping our workforce with the skills they need to excel in a rapidly changing job market.

The summit is more than a meeting of minds; it’s an invitation to be a part of something larger than ourselves—a movement to shape Wisconsin’s economic landscape and build a brighter future for our state. With over 300 business leaders, industry experts, and educators expected to attend, the event is a melting pot of diverse perspectives, creating an environment ripe for innovative ideas and collaborative partnerships.

To participate in this transformative event, I invite you to register on our website and mark your calendar for Oct. 23-24. Your presence at the summit will not only provide you with a unique opportunity for learning and networking but will also contribute to the momentum that is propelling Wisconsin toward a more prosperous future.

In the spirit of unity and shared purpose, I look forward to welcoming you to the 2023 Wisconsin Economic Summit. Let’s take the journey together as we unlock innovation, drive sustainability, and work toward an economy that benefits every corner of our state.

Missy Hughes is the Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the state’s leading economic development organization.

Earlier this year, the WI Legislature passed a series of workforce housing bills that were signed into law by Gov. Evers, which will direct $525 million to four workforce housing revolving loan fund programs to expand access to affordable housing for working families. The four bills signed into law include the following:

• 2023 Wisconsin Act 14 – Creates a residential housing infrastructure revolving loan fund program to help cover the costs of installing, replacing, upgrading, or improving public infrastructure related to workforce housing or senior housing.
• 2023 Wisconsin Act 15 – Creates a main street housing rehabilitation revolving loan fund program to help cover the costs of improvements to or restoration of workforce housing units.
• 2023 Wisconsin Act 18 – Creates a commercial-to-residential conversation revolving loan fund program to help cover the costs of converting vacant commercial buildings to workforce housing or senior housing.
• 2023 Wisconsin Act 17 – Makes various modifications the state’s Workforce Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program that provides loans to upgrade and make critical improvements to older single family homes.

All four programs will be administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). The state’s housing agency recently created a website to keep economic development professionals, communities, developers, and the public updated on the implementation of all four programs, including application dates and deadlines. CLICK HERE to stay informed on the latest news on these critical programs. By visiting the WHEDA page, you can also subscribe for regular email updates.

What’s On Tap for WEDA this Fall Under the Capitol Dome

Since the Wisconsin Legislature wrapped-up their work on the state budget bill – which Gov. Tony Evers signed into law on July 5 – the halls of the State Capitol have been relatively quiet as lawmakers enjoyed their “summer recess.” But now that Labor Day is behind us, legislative actively is quickly ramping up in what is expected to be a busy fall floor session for the Legislature.

While the budget bill included some exciting new initiatives and increased funding for key economic development programs – such as $525 million for four different workforce housing revolving loan funds – there were some disappointments too. Chief among them was the Governor’s veto of a key talent attraction initiative, which was a top state budget priority for WEDA.

Fortunately, WEDA continues to focus on our legislative priorities, and we are well positioned to work on a handful of key bill proposals this fall and through the remainder of the legislative session. Please find below a brief overview of WEDA’s legislative agenda this fall:

• Talent Attraction: As was mentioned above, a $4 million talent attraction initiative (which focused on military veterans) was vetoed from the budget bill. However, WEDA will continue to work on the issue and actively lobby for legislation (AB 287 / SB 284) introduced earlier this session that would provide $5 million to WEDC to administer a statewide talent attraction campaign focused specifically on veterans and active-duty military personnel transitioning out of the U.S armed forces.
• Workforce Housing: Although the budget bill included funding for several new workforce housing revolving loan funds, there is still work to be done on the housing front. In short, there is not enough affordable housing to meet the needs of Wisconsin workers and their families. It is a key factor in the state’s workforce shortage crisis and is a huge impediment to recruiting and retaining employees for Wisconsin employers. In an effort help encourage the construction of much-needed housing, WEDA is actively lobbying on legislation (AB 39) that would Increase the allowable amount of annual tax credits allocated under the state’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program from $42 million to $100 million. The legislation would also require the state, if possible, to direct at least 35% of the tax credits each year for housing projects in rural areas.
• Childcare Access: Employers across Wisconsin are facing unprecedented hiring challenges, and one of the reasons behind the state’s workforce shortage is the lack of access for families to childcare. While childcare remains an important family issue, it is also a growing business issue that has a significant impact on employers and their ability to meet their labor needs. This fall, WEDA will be working on a handful of childcare bills that aim to increase access to quality childcare and reduce costs for families. Among the legislative proposals that may be considered by the Legislature include a tax credit or grant program to offset costs for employers that provide childcare benefits for their employees; tax-advantaged accounts to help families cover childcare costs; a loan program for childcare providers to upgrade their facilities; and a number of regulatory reforms for the industry.
• Business Development Tax Credit: WEDA will be working on a legislative proposal to modernize the state’s Business Development Tax Credit to ensure it aligns with current economic realities and remains a powerful business attraction and expansion tool. More specifically, the bill proposal aims to significantly deemphasize job creation as an eligibility requirement for the tax credit, and instead shift eligibility focus to capital investment and job retention.

The WEDA Government Affairs Team will keep members fully updated on the latest developments in the State Capitol in the coming months and through the rest of the legislative session.

Political Quick Notes:

• Republican lawmakers recently unveiled a new $2.9 billion tax cut bill (Assembly Bill 386). The bill represents the latest attempt by the Republican-controlled legislature to pass a major tax cut this session and is in response to Gov. Evers vetoing the $3.5 billion income tax cut plan the GOP included in the budget bill. This new tax cut plan, which appears to be on the fast track in the Assembly, is aimed at the third-highest tax bracket ($36,840-$405,550 for married couples, or $27,630 and $304,170 filing independently) and would decrease rates from 5.3% to 4.4%. Earlier this week, the Assembly Ways and Means Committee voted the bill out of committee on a 9-3 partisan vote.
• In early August, Janet Protasiewicz was sworn in as a new justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Protasiewicz, who has positioned herself as a judicial liberal, defeated former Justice Dan Kelly in the April 4 spring general election, replacing two-term Justice Patience Roggensack, who did not seek reelection. More notably, Protasiewicz’s addition to the state’s high court shifted it from a majority conservative court to a majority liberal one. With the ideological swing to a 4-3 advantage in favor of liberals (at least for the next two years), the court is expected to issue several high-profile judicial decisions that could impact the political landscape in Wisconsin. Among the hot-button issues that may be determined by the court include voting and election rules, redrawing legislative district maps, the future of abortion and reproductive rights in Wisconsin, and overturning the law that eliminated bargaining rights for most state and local government employees.
• Last month, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) appointed Rep. Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay) to serve on the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee – the Joint Finance Committee – for the remainder of the 2023-2024 legislative session.  Andraca replaces Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) on the committee. Goyke stepped down from the post to focus on his campaign for the position of Milwaukee City Attorney.  The 16-members Joint Finance Committee is comprised of lawmakers from both the Assembly and Senate, with 12 Republicans and four Democrats.

Gov. Tony Evers recently signed Executive Order #211 creating the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence. This task force will gather and analyze information and produce an advisory action plan to identify the current state of generative artificial intelligence’s (AI) impact on Wisconsin’s labor market and develop informed predictions regarding its implications for the near term and future. The action plan will also identify how these workforce impacts may affect Wisconsin’s key industries, occupations, and foundational skillsets, explore initiatives to advance equity and economic opportunity in the face of these changes, and based on the impacts identified, recommend solutions related to workforce development and educational systems.

AI systems being produced today can learn from data without being explicitly programmed, create new content, predict future outcomes, and have the potential to reshape entire labor markets. Today, AI is increasingly being used in a range of industries important to Wisconsin, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, transportation, agriculture, and more. Yet, due to the novelty of the technology that is being developed and implemented, many Americans are concerned with or apprehensive of this emerging technology, with a Forbes 2023 survey reporting that more than 75 percent of “consumers are concerned with misinformation from artificial intelligence tools.”

As the state continues ongoing efforts to address Wisconsin’s longstanding, generational workforce challenges, the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence will help ensure that Wisconsin remains competitive by establishing best practices for the implementation and utilization of AI technologies and identifying potential impacts of AI across industries, occupations, and skillsets with an eye toward greater equity and economic opportunity so all workers, employers, and job seekers in Wisconsin have the opportunity to benefit from this evolving technology.

The Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence will be administered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and will be chaired by DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek or a designee. The governor will appoint additional members to serve on the Task Force, including Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld or a designee, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes or a designee, representatives from the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Technical College Systems, and other individuals who may include representatives from state and local government, the business community, educational institutions, organized labor, the technology sector, and other leaders from relevant workforce sectors and industries.

It is hard to believe that summer is winding down and we are rapidly approaching the WEDA Fall Best Practices Conference at the end of September.  I look forward to seeing many of you at the conference and WEDA Academy program in Wausau.

On August 9, the WEDA Academy held its second webinar of 2023, An Economic Developer’s Introduction to Municipal Engineering.  A big thank you to course instructors – Melissa Hunt, CEcD, EDFP; Gary A. Blazek, PE, Principal, Vierbicher; and Timothy Schleeper, PE, Senior Project Manager, Vierbicher.  This course introduced participants to municipal engineering concepts and terms with a focus on aspects that may impact the work of the economic developer. Best practices and community examples were highlighted.

On September 27 at the Jefferson Street Inn, Wausau, the WEDA Academy will be hosting an in-person comprehensive program Tax Increment Financing 201.  Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a key tool available for local governments to facilitate economic development and job creation in Wisconsin.  Understanding how to effectively utilize TIF is an essential skill for many economic developers.  Through this program, attendees will have an opportunity to build their knowledge of TIF in an interactive and engaging course format. Our highly experienced instructors for this course are Philip Cosson, CIPMA, Senior Municipal Advisor/Board Chair and Greg Johnson, CIPMA, Senior Municipal Advisor, Ehlers; Randy Fifrick, Economic Development Manager, City of Wausau, Community Development Department and Melissa Hunt, CEcD, EDFP.  The program will run from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Registration is open at weda.org.

The final Academy webinar for 2023 will be Industrial & Business Park Development on November 8. Program details are being finalized and should be available by the Best Practices Conference. Planning will be underway for the 2024 slate of Academy programs later this fall.  I welcome any ideas you may have on program topics and speakers.  Stop by at the WEDA booth at the conference or reach out to me at kheady@weda.org if you have any questions or ideas for WEDA Academy programming.

I hope that you will be able to join us for one or more of these exciting and affordable educational opportunities. As a reminder, be sure to look for approved credits/points for continuing education/recertification on the course registration information.

• Four Session Workshop
• UWSP Chemistry Biology Building, Room 161 or virtual via Zoom
• Fridays, Sept. 15-Oct. 20, 2023 from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. 

This certificate program is a partnership between the American Indian Chamber of Commerce (AICCW) and the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Continuing Education Department.

The pandemic disproportionately impacted Native Nations located in Wisconsin, AICCW member Native-owned businesses as well as the AICCW itself. The pandemic also increased understanding and amplified recognition of systemic barriers, inequity and disparities experienced by Tribes and Tribal Members located in Wisconsin. The AICCW was pleased to receive a Diverse Business Assistance Grant designed to provide funding to assist chambers and non-profit organizations providing assistance to small businesses owned by individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This workshop series is being supported, in part, by American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin via the Wisconsin Department of Administration by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Finalists for the 2023 Community and Economic Development Awards (CEDA) were announced today by the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA). The CEDA Awards were established by WEDA to recognize and celebrate businesses, projects, and organizations that are making significant contributions to Wisconsin’s economy.

“The WEDA Community and Economic Development Awards is Wisconsin’s premier awards program for the economic development community and was established to recognize outstanding and innovative projects that are driving economic growth and prosperity across the state,” said WEDA President and CEO Mary Perry. “WEDA is excited to hold the 2023 CEDA Awards program in beautiful downtown Wausau to celebrate economic development and the tremendous success of each finalist.”

Three economic development projects or programs were nominated as finalists in each of the four following CEDA categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Economic Development Initiative; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention. The winners in each category will be announced at the in-person awards ceremony luncheon, which will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023, as part of WEDA’s Fall Best Practices Conference in Wausau, WI.

Listed below is an overview of the recently announced 2023 CEDA Award finalists in each category:

• Business Retention and Expansion– This award recognizes a single economic development project in which a community successfully mobilized to retain and/or expand an existing business of great importance to the community.
  • Falls Meat Service, Pigeon Falls – The family-owned and operated Falls Meat Service has been a thriving small business in Pigeon Falls, WI since 1974 and has a reputation for quality, safety, and integrity. However, due to limited capacity and insufficient processing space, the company could not meet the growing demand for locally processed meats and the greater need by farmers in the region to access local processing plants. Falls Meat Service needed to expand, and thanks in part to a $250,000 Community Development Investment Grant from WEDC and a $200,000 USDA grant, they were able to complete a $1.6 million expansion project. The expansion will allow Falls Meat to grow from its current location and allow them to sell meat outside of Wisconsin through online sales. The project, which retained 17 jobs and created 3 new full-time jobs, enjoyed tremendous support from the small, mostly residential Pigeon Falls community that historically has had limited opportunities for economic development and job growth.
  • ND Paper, Biron – The Biron Paper Mill has a long and storied history in Biron, WI, and has been a cornerstone of the local economy. However, the mill has had multiple owners in recent years, and its long-term future was uncertain. That changed in 2018 when the mill was purchased by ND Paper, a multinational paper company headquartered in Hong Kong, with North American headquarters in Chicago. ND paper wasted no time upgrading the mill, investing $325 million to convert the mill’s paper machines to lightweight recycled packaging products and transforming the mill into a 100% recycled  paper facility. The conversion set the mill up for long-term success, retained over 315 jobs, and increased wages for incumbent workers. ND Paper also obtained a $323,000 Fast Forward grant from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to provide employees with the necessary skill sets to operate the equipment and ensure efficient operation. The capital expenditures and ongoing mill operations have boosted the Biron economy and provided new opportunities for local businesses.
  • Paper Transport, Green Bay – Paper Transport (PTI), a De Pere-based for-hire truckload carrier, which offers regional truckload, dedicated truckload, intermodal, and logistic services, is a true local success story. PTI’s humble roots were planted in 1990 as part of the Greater Green Bay Chamber’s Startup HUB Incubator program, and the growing company now has multiple park locations and terminals throughout the Midwest and Southern United States. Due to continued growth, PTI began exploring the acquisition of additional office space to house up to 100 employees. Although the company considered making this investment in another state, with assistance from the Greater Green Bay Chamber, PTI ultimately secured a new location in the new Railyard Innovation District in downtown Green Bay. It is estimated the $1.6 million project, which received incentives from WEDC, will create 100 new jobs over the next five years and retain 100 jobs.

• Economic Development Initiative– This award recognizes innovation in community and economic development that promotes economic growth within communities and regions.
  • City of Fitchburg North Fish Hatchery Road Construction Project, Fitchburg – North Fish Hatchery Road serves as the gateway to the City of Fitchburg, serving more than 46,000 vehicles per day. The road is also the north and south arterial to the Beltline Highway in the greater Madison region serving more than 120,000 vehicles daily. In 2018, the city created a Strategic Plan with two strategic directives – Building Places & Spaces” and “Brand & Identity” – that identified placemaking as a priority. With the roadway at the end of its useful life, the City of Fitchburg, Dane County, and the City of Madison took the opportunity to create a welcoming entrance into the community, transforming the corridor into an urban, walkable neighborhood. Tax Incremental Financing was used to help fund the $28-million project, which has generated more than $150 million in private sector investment into both residential and commercial spaces. The impact of the project has been recognized regionally, statewide, and nationally. It received three public works and engineering awards, which highlight the engineering aspects of the project, the aesthetic benefits of the placemaking, and the economic impact to the area.
  • Green County Development Corporation 2023 Small Business Series, Green County – With limited entrepreneurial support in rural communities throughout Green County, the Green County Development Corporation, in partnership with The Bank of New Glarus, and the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center, created a free, in-person Small Business Series. The five-part training series offered one-hour training sessions held over a four-week period, with the fifth week reserved for participation in a pitch contest. Twenty-one inspired entrepreneurs participated in the sessions, and seven of those participants opted to pitch their businesses in the final contest. The collaborative effort, which was supported by local leaders, helped make the program a success. This program netted four business starts with a capital infusion of $1.75 million. The Small Business Series is scheduled to continue with quarterly sessions, and another five-part training series to be held in the spring of 2024. Its success was recognized by Compeer Financial, who awarded Green County Development Corporation $5,000 in grant funds to support an entrepreneurial Pop-Up Shop program. This grant will support entrepreneurs with initial rental assistance for storefronts within Green County communities.
  • Wisconsin Small Business Development Center’s Capital Access Clinic, Statewide – The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center’s statewide network of more than a dozen locations provides regional experts who facilitate growth for entrepreneurs and small businesses. In January of 2022, their team identified a need for entrepreneurs and emerging businesses to find better access to capital and financial planning, and they created the Capital Access Clinic. The Capital Access Clinic provides entrepreneurs free access to a team of consultants who aid in developing financial projections and coach them through the financing process. The Capital Access Clinic has achieved notable results including serving more than 200 clients, generating $27 million in capital infusion, facilitating 16 new business start-ups, and supporting more than 600 jobs. The Clinic has fostered strong cross-community collaboration by working closely with various Small Business Development Centers and community partners. Last fall Construction Business Group announced an official partnership with the Capital Access Clinic, aiming to help minorities, women, and other historically disadvantaged business entrepreneurs succeed in the transportation construction industry. The Capital Access Clinic’s achievements have positively influenced the economic growth and vitality in communities throughout the state. 

• Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse– This award recognizes innovative real estate redevelopment or reuse projects that demonstrate measurable and quantitative impact on employment and tax base, as well as sustainability measures, such as conservation of energy and water.
  • Allie Family Companies River North, Manitowoc – Nominated by Progress Lakeshore, River North is a catalytic project in the City of Manitowoc. The River North development was the first in the River Point District, a 20-acre peninsula located downtown, along the Manitowoc River, and just a few blocks from Lake Michigan. This district was blighted, contaminated, and underutilized for over 50 years. The city made investments to prepare the site for development including EPA funding and the WEDC Brownfield Grant. After many public meetings and visioning sessions, the city made its first sale of land to a local developer, Allie Family Companies. The Allie Family Companies took a chance on an area that was just beginning its clean up, improvements, and new infrastructure. As a result, 87 market-rate housing units now fill this 1.6-acre, six-story multifamily housing development in downtown Manitowoc. The project has attracted approximately 150 new tenants to the area and spurred additional investments in the district.
  • Beebe Lofts, New Richmond – After years of disrepair, the once prominent Beebe Building was an eyesore in downtown New Richmond. In 2018, the city acted swiftly to acquire the hotel with hopes to rehabilitate the site. Understanding the great need to increase its housing stock, the city aimed to utilize Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and state and federal Resources to entice a developer partner to bring the project to fruition. It was the first time New Richmond engaged as a major partner on a redevelopment project. After four years of public investment and major clean up, the Gerrad Corporation purchased the site and constructed a senior housing development. Beebe Lofts, a catalytic project in New Richmond, has provided 50 new senior housing units for the growing 55 and older population. In addition, the project has had a positive economic impact on the community, providing a new customer base for downtown businesses, increasing the city’s tax base, and sparking many new developments throughout the community.
  • Belle City Square, Racine – A fusion of the past and the present, the former site of the Horlick Malted Milk Factory in Racine, is now Belle City Square, a 16-acre adaptive reuse development. J. Jeffers & Company purchased the site in 2018 and is tackling this historic renovation with the help from key partners. The City of Racine contributed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other financial assistance towards the project. The rehabilitation also received $13 million in New Markets Tax credits from First-Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise (FIRE). This mixed-use development includes retail, commercial, and new affordable housing options in the community. The $23.9 million, 32,000 sq. ft. project is part of the larger Belle City Square development and will provide 313 new housing units, create 80 indirect and direct jobs, serve community organizations, and retain quality and accessible jobs in a severely distressed area. A focal point of the project will be the Inclusive Bean, a coffee shop partnering with Sonnenberg Schools, to provide employment opportunities for students that have special needs.

• Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention– This award recognizes initiatives or programs that can document successful talent attraction, development, and retention outcomes.
  • La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce First Friend Newcomer Connection Program, Greater LaCrosse – When the 2017 WISE plan, developed by the 7 Rivers Alliance, identified that the region would be short 15,000 workers over the proceeding 10 years, the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce sprang into action to implement one of the plan’s key recommendations. The Chamber launched the First Friend Newcomer Connection Program in 2019 with its first community concierge. The concierges deliver results for area businesses by complementing their recruitment and retention efforts. They serve job candidates and new hires by providing community tours, sharing resources about the region, providing accompanying partner career assistance, and connecting people to organizations, hobbies, and others who share their interests. Since 2019, the program has served almost 500 First Friend participants who have relocated to the Greater La Crosse Area. Job acceptance among program participants is 74% and 93% of those new hires choose to stay in the region for more than two years. The program has also addressed diversity and inclusion recommendations of the WISE plan with 48% of program participants being from diverse backgrounds.
  • NEW BOOST™ for Hidden Talent, New North Region – NEW BOOST™ for Hidden Talent leverages the strengths of program partners to support individuals in New North’s 18-county region who need foundational digital computer skills. NEW BOOST™  – Building Opportunities for Overlooked Sustainable Talent – aims to address workforce entry challenges that disconnect African Americans and Latinos from the workforce by providing free digital literacy training and mentoring to eligible individuals. The program expands access to resources for people to connect with digital educational opportunities and training to position them to secure employment with family-sustaining wages. Additionally, program partners provide outreach to unemployed individuals to assist with new job opportunities and to underemployed individuals to help with job advancement, as well as to provide upskilling options to support employee retention needs. This collaborative effort is funded through a Worker Advancement Initiative grant from Bay Area Workforce Development and a grant from Microsoft Philanthropies and managed by New North, Inc. Lead partners include African Heritage Inc. and Abaxent with participation from several community partners.
  • Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce Futuro Program, Dane County – The Futuro Program at the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce aims to revolutionize the childcare landscape in Dane County by creating a robust pipeline of Latino entrepreneurs dedicated to establishing and growing daycare centers. The cornerstone of the initiative is the mentorship program, where participants are paired with experienced daycare owners and spend 30 hours shadowing, gaining practical insights into daily operations, challenges, and successes of running a childcare center. Participants actively engage in educational workshops and as a part of Futuro, grants are available for participants to assist in upstart costs of opening a childcare center or expanding capacity of an existing center. The program plans to graduate 20 participants per year. With the first cohort, 52 new childcare slots are expected to be created and an estimated 15 new childcare centers will be established by December 2023. Upon completion, a total of $32,800 in grants and funding will be dispersed to childcare centers and program participants.

Nominated projects were screened and selected by an impartial panel of judges comprised of WEDA members and partners. The independent panel reviewed many projects that were submitted for consideration, but the 12 finalists were ultimately selected based on the significant economic impact each project has on its respective community or region.

The 2023 CEDA Awards would not be possible without the support of WEDA’s generous partners and sponsors, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; the Green Bay Packers; Alliant Energy; Dairyland Power Cooperative; First Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise; Madison Gas & Electric; US Bank; the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute; and Xcel Energy.

WEDA Job Board

Check out the latest job opportunities in the economic development field on the WEDA Job Board:

• Business Development Director – Door County Economic Development Corporation
• Community Development Director – City of La Crosse
• Economic Development Director – City of Whitewater
• Financial Servicing Analyst – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Please CLICK HERE to view job descriptions