WEDA Academy Update – Kathy Heady, Academy Manager

The WEDA Academy held its first webinar of 2023 on April 12, Stretching Your Community Marketing Dollars. A big thank you to course instructors – Melissa Meschke, EDP, Economic Development Outreach Manager, Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, University of Wisconsin System; Blake Opal – Wahoske, Executive Director, Wausau River District, Inc.; Tricia Rathermel, President & CEO, and Andrea Aurigue, Communications & Research Manager, Greater Oshkosh EDC who shared their wealth of knowledge on this topic.  We were also joined by Scott Champion, Vice President, Marketing & Brand Strategy, WEDC, who highlight available marketing resources from the corporation.

On the afternoon of August 9, the Academy will be hosting the webinar, An Economic Developer’s Introduction to Municipal Engineering.  Engineers from Vierbicher will be providing an introduction to municipal engineering concepts and terms with a focus on aspects that impact the work of the economic developer.  Best practices and community examples will be highlighted.  Topics will also include a discussion of the role of the economic developer, the importance of realistic project timing, and preparing in advance for potential projects.

The Academy is planning two additional programs for 2023.  On September 27, just prior to the WEDA Best Practices Conference in Wausau, the Academy will be hosting an in-person comprehensive session on Tax Increment Financing (TIF).   TIF experts from Ehlers and Vierbicher will serve as instructors for this program.  Are you looking to take your TIF skills to the next level?  This program will cover topics including best practices, case studies, and determining an appropriate level of assistance.  Participants will have an opportunity to build their skills by working through scenarios with other attendees.  The final Academy webinar for 2023 will be Industrial & Business Park Development on November 8.  Let me know if you have recommendations for speakers or are aware of any excellent community examples that we can feature.  I will be working on program details later this summer.

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.

Please reach out to me at kheady@weda.org if you have any questions or ideas for WEDA Academy programming.