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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Happy New Year! Together, we had a fantastic year in 2023 and hope to have an even better one in 2024.
May this New Year bring you abundance and joy.
~The WCEDA Team |
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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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| WCEDA'S Annual Member Holiday Party
Members, please join us on Thursday, January 11 at the Elkhorn Chamber office! The Details:
5pm - 8pm
January 11th, 2024
203 E. Walworth St., Elkhorn
Drinks and Food Provided
Register by January 8th |
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I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the support you have provided in helping to educate our students and shape our future workforce. Every contribution, no matter how small, plays a vital role in empowering our students to succeed. Your support has allowed us to provide valuable educational opportunities that they may not have otherwise received.
Cheers to a prosperous and healthy New Year! |
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| Superintendent Roundtable
WCEDA hosted a Superintendent Roundtable at Gateway recently. Our Roundtable discussions with the superintendents of Walworth County School Districts keep the focus on students and their futures. By collectively discussing education and the needs of students, superintendents can work towards creating a student-centric approach to education that prepares them for their future endeavors. We will meet again in the fall. |
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Is your leadership team ready for 2024?
Kickstart the new year with inspiration and empowerment as January 10th is the beginning of The Fundamentals of Supervision Module III.
Instructed by Liz Oplatka at Gateway Technical College, this class is highly recommended by our prior students and businesses. Set the stage for a year of elevated performance, empowering your leadership team to reach new heights and accomplish extraordinary goals throughout the entire year.
The class runs for six weeks on Wednesday’s from 8am – 10am. Dates are: January - 10, 17, 24, 31 and February - 7, 14.
Registration is taking place now on our website at https://www.walworthbusiness.com/fundamentals-of-supervision.
or by contacting Susan@WalworthBusiness.com via email, or by phone at: 262.215.7254. |
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Modules can be taken individually and in any order. Module III
Gateway Technical College, Elkhorn Campus Wednesdays, 8-10am Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 Feb. 7, 14
Module III Virtual Wednesdays, 3-5pm Jan. 17, 24, 31
Feb. 7, 14, 21
[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. Contact Susan Smolarek for information how your management team can join in the next session.
[More Info] |
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Gateway's SPRING 2024 Online LEAN SIX SIGMA classes start on January 22. - 12-Week Lean Manufacturing Principles
- 2-Week LSS Green Belt - Part A
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2-Week LSS Green Belt - Part B
- 12-Week LSS Green to Black Belt
Register at training.gtc.edu. Please contact Rick Lofy (lofyr@gtc.edu), or 262-215-6725 with any questions. |
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As we look forward to the new year, WCEDA has been working to help facilitate the development of Workforce Housing throughout Walworth County. One question that continues to be asked is... What Is Workforce Housing?
Walworth County is short of housing for young families, first responders, new teachers, medical staff, and multiple business staff. This workforce is made up of young professionals just starting in their careers, families wanting their children close to good schools, and those in fields such as our first responders, who are working for the safety of the residents in the county, yet not able to find housing they can afford. These individuals fall into an income category that challenges their ability to afford the current market-level prices of housing.
The 2022 Census shows that household income levels are separated into three equal (33.3%) categories: |
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| Within these three categories, the affordable rent or home ownership prices are: Income / Rent / Home Price (Ownership) - $35,000 / $875 / $88,072
- $50,000 / $1,250 / $131,873
- $75,000 / $1,875 / $204,874
- $105,000 / $2,625 / $289,000
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Generally, affordable housing is considered to be 30% of household income which includes mortgage or rent, utilities, and property tax. This does not factor in other financial needs of young families such as daycare.
Taking this into consideration and reflecting on the rise in housing costs the question then is, how does this group find a good home at, or close to the price they can afford? [Read On] |
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Please help us welcome WCEDA's recent new members! |
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| State of the College Address Gateway Technical College
January 25th, 8:30 a.m. Madrigrano Conference Center, Hairbo Hall 3520 30th Ave., Kenosha |
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| Now Hiring!
Interstate Insurance in Lake Geneva is seeking to hire a Personal Assistant/Data Entry
Clerk as a supportive role to the office team! This position would be working closely in
supporting with daily paperwork and in processing data. This is a part-time position,
with the potential for full-time. [More Info] |
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| Now Hiring!
Looking for a Graphic Designer to join our team. Busy office with a great team environment creating a mix of digital and print projects for the Auto Group, RV Group, Camp Timber-Lee and more. Looking for full-time on-site help.
[Contact Jennifer Myers] |
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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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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 rose 0.1 percentage points in October 2023 to 3.2%. The state unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points lower than the national rate for the... |
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10-2 Year Treasury Yield Spread is at -0.35%, compared to -0.42% the previous market day and -0.51% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 0.88%. The 10-2 Treasury Yield Spread is the difference... |
| New orders for manufactured durable goods in the United States surged by 5.4 percent month-over-month in November 2023, reversing a 5.1 percent decline seen in October and significantly surpassing market expectations of a... |
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Average Crude Oil Spot Price is at a current level of 81.35, down from 89.08 last month and down from 87.38 one year ago. This is a change of -8.68% from last month and -6.89% from one year ago. The Average Crude Oil Spot Price... |
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Non State Grant Application
The Grants for Local Projects program is a transformative initiative dedicated to supporting non-state organizations in their pursuit of construction projects with a statewide public purpose. The program was established by 2023 Wisconsin Act 19. To be eligible for a grant, non-state organizations must secure funding from non-state revenue sources covering at least half of the total project cost. [More Info]
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| Charting Wisconsin’s Horizon: Emerging Trends in Economic Development
The Governor’s Conference on Economic Development features industry-thought leaders and practitioners who delve into entrepreneurship, solutions for workforce housing, trends Wisconsin manufacturers face and artificial intelligence in economic development. The Governor's Conference is WEDA's largest educational and networking event of the year. The packed agenda has something for everyone as we focus on advancing economic growth for people of all ages in rural and urban Wisconsin.
[More Info]
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Talking Trade with Tim Sheehy, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” outgoing MMAC President Tim Sheehy discusses his 31-year tenure with the Milwaukee chamber and the importance of business exports.
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce in October announced former Republican state Sen. Dale Kooyenga of Brookfield will take over as the group’s president early next year. [Read On] |
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| Economic Trends Breakfast
Make plans to attend the 23rd annual Economic Trends on January 25th to learn how your business may be impacted by the issues and trends shaping the economy in 2024. Economist Michael Knetter and leading industry experts will provide their perspectives and predictions for the year ahead. [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 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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