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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“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." ~ Thomas Jefferson
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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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County-Wide Chamber Business After Hours
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 • 5-7:30pm Lake Geneva Tennis and Pickleball Free Event for Members
Learn about the hottest new sport around – pickleball! In between tours of the new pickleball facility being built on premises, and some beginner pickleball instruction (please wear athletic shoes if you'd like to try your hand at this fun sport), mingle with business leaders from all nine Walworth County membership organizations. While networking, enjoy craft brews from the cash bar provided by neighboring Mashtun Brewing in the social balcony overlooking the courts. You won't want to miss this first opportunity of the year to learn something new while meeting someone new.
Brought to you by: | |
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3 Driving Engines Series: AI For Business
Thursday, March 7, 2024 • 8-10am
UW-Whitewater Innovation Center
Free Event for Members • $15 non-members
Join our series of panelists as they discuss how artificial intelligence is being used in the workplace with some practical applications. The group will also address concerns and privacy issues related to AI. Brought to you by: | |
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Annual Walworth County State of the County
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 • 7:30-9am
The Ridge
Free Event for Members • $15 non-members
From an economic standpoint, Walworth County is very strong. This is good for locals businesses and good for businesses looking to locate here.
Come find out more about the state of the county, including state and region perspectives. This is a great opportunity to learn how our taxes are being spent, as well as the tax implications for the future and how this all impacts business development going forward. | |
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2nd Annual Workforce Symposium
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 • 8-10am
Horticultural Hall, Lake Geneva
Free Event for Members • $15 non-members
More details to come... | |
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Hiring Head Start - Virtual Workshop Looking for summer help? Watch the recording to discover effective strategies for engaging with our local youth, and explore available avenues for connection.
This event was held virtually on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 • 8-9am | |
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Top Level Leadership Info Session / Q & A
Watch the recording of WCEDA's webinar about Top Level Leadership, WCEDA's executive-level leadership program! Instructor Elizabeth Oplatka, from Gateway Technical College, led the discussion and answered questions. This event was held virtually on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 • 10:30-11:00am
About TLL
We are 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. [TLL Webpage]
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The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity: the Optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." ~ Winston Churchill |
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If you would like to host our next MIWC member event, please let me know. We're looking at scheduling the event in late April. |
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| Noon Whistle - EAHS MFG Lab Every Tuesday Chris Trottier and Jon Anzalone host a podcast called the Noon Whistle. This week they featured Elkhorn High School manufacturing lab and showcased all the amazing skills the students are acquiring. Have a watch!! |
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NEW!!! WCEDA's Career-Connected Learning Model! A lot of new exciting things are happening in the Inspire world. Our new Career-Connected Learning (CCL) Model is composed of two elements: -
Opportunities Planner: driven by member businesses, our Opportunities Planner is a new way of offer CBLES (career-based learning experiences) to students.
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Wisconsin Job Board: Sponsored and used by Walworth County schools (and beyond), this is a FREE resource for businesses and an excellent space to publicize job opportunities and connect with local youth.
I will be reaching out to all my members to talk through the new model and find out what you are interested in offering, but in the meantime, please check out our website and start building your list.
The informational video of our recent event, "Hiring Head Start" can be found above in the past events section or by clicking here. |
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Job Shadows
We're looking for a few job shadows for students in the following areas: hospitality & mechanics. If interested, please shoot me a message. |
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Organizations only grow when their leaders grow, which is why great leaders prioritize continuous learning and development for not only their teams, for themselves as well. ~ Gifford Thomas, Unlock the Hidden Leader |
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WCEDA'S Leadership Training
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| Leadership Training for Entry- to Mid-Level Managers |
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Fundamentals of Supervision Modules can be taken individually and in any order. Module I - CLASS FULL
Gateway Technical College, Elkhorn Campus Wednesdays, 8-11am March 6, 13, 20 & April 3, 10, 17 Module II
Gateway Technical College, Elkhorn Campus Wednesdays, 8-11am April 17, 24 & May 1, 8 |
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Leadership Training for Executive-Level and C-Suite Leaders
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Top Level Leadership
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. |
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Other WCEDA Training Options
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New! Spanish For Business I
This training focuses on communicating in Spanish in a stress-free learning environment. The following topics are an example of the subjects that will be covered in this 15-hour, hybrid course.
Short phrases in Spanish, Greet people in Spanish, Ask questions in Spanish, Describe the location of people and things, Conjugate present tense verbs, Attendance policy, Emergency Responses, Professional development, Promotions, Leadership communicating with Spanish-speaking employees, Safety Incident |
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Coming Soon! Bring Your 'A' Game
Empower your workforce with essential workplace skills, increase employment and promote lifelong success! Bring Your ‘A’ Game is an engaging curriculum for building the seven foundational workplace skills of Work Ethic. |
- Attendance (Reliability)
- Attitude (Positivity)
- Appearance (Professionalism)
- Ambition (Initiative)
- Acceptance (Respect)
- Appreciation (Gratitude)
- Accountability (Integrity)
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Click on the image above to expand. |
| We are on our way... According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association home sales report that was released on January 25th, the number of home sales in Walworth County decreased by 18.6% in 2023 compared to 2022, while the median home
sale price increased by 6.7%. In just four years, the median home sale price in Walworth County has increased by almost $112,000, from $226,000 in 2019, to $337,750 in 2023 – nearly a 50% increase.
Five cities are actively looking at this issue and starting to take steps toward development. One city has identified and negotiated available land and is moving to the zoning and planning stage. Two more are exploring what type(s) of housing will be most needed, rental or ownership. Then two more are identifying land to be developed into workforce housing.
There are many steps in this process making the development of Workforce Housing a lengthy process. The involvement of the municipalities, the builders and developers, the schools, our medical partners, commercial businesses, and the general public is needed to bring Workforce Housing to the county. It takes all of you to make this happen. The good news is, we are on our way. Stay tuned. pam@walworthbusiness.com
(847) 431-1546 |
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| WCVB Annual Dinner
You are invited to join Walworth County businesses and partners for an evening celebrating WalCo Tourism!
Enjoy cocktails (how about an Old Fashioned) a sit-down dinner (five (5) entree choices), networking and entertainment, followed by elections for the WCVB board of directors, presentations and drawings for fabulous door prizes donated by local sponsors. Earn a chance to win door prizes by purchasing tickets during the evening.
Thursday, April 4, 2024 • The Duck Inn Supper Club |
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| 2024 Reverse Career Fairs - Manufacturing, Engineering, and Information Technology Wednesday, March 6 2024, 5pm - Wednesday, April 10 2024, 11am
Location: Gateway Technical College (various locations by date/program area) |
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| Precision Plus Awarded Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year 2023
Reader Precision Solutions (RPS) is honored to announce that its Precision Plus division has recently been the recipient of the prestigious Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year 2023. This accolade is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to manufacturing excellence, innovation, community engagement, and workforce development. [Read on]
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Wisconsin Oven Ships Batch Ovens to the Manufacturing Industry
Wisconsin Oven Corporation is pleased to announce the shipment of two (2) custom-designed Gas Fired Batch Ovens with roll-up doors. The ovens will be used to hold molded urethane wheels prior to a curing process. [Read on] |
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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 November 2023 to 3.3%. The state unemployment rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than the... |
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10-2 Year Treasury Yield Spread is at -0.39%, compared to -0.37% the previous market day and -0.88% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 0.88%. The 10-2 Treasury Yield Spread is the difference between the... |
| New orders for manufactured durable goods in the United States slumped by 6.1% month-over-month in January 2024, more than market expectations of a 4.5% fall and following a 0.3% decrease in December. This marked the most... |
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Average Crude Oil Spot Price is at a current level of 77.67, up from 75.72 last month and down from 80.41 one year ago. This is a change of 2.58% from last month and -3.40% from one year ago. The Average Crude Oil Spot Price... |
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United Way of Walworth County Scholarship Opportunity
Apply today for the 2024 $1,000 James S. Santy Memorial Scholarship! ?? Class of 2024 high school graduates enrolled in an accredited postsecondary institution, residing in Walworth County, and demonstrating a commitment to serving Walworth County through volunteerism, are encouraged to apply. DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2024
Application: https://forms.gle/eSBecvRsU9DZpBEeA |
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Whitewater WindUp -
A business pitch competition aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth within our vibrant community.
Whitewater WindUp offers aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs the chance to win their very own downtown storefront, along with a year's rent and renovations. We encourage all individuals with innovative business ideas to participate and make their mark on downtown Whitewater. Even if you're not looking to start a business, you can still contribute by voting for the winner and helping shape the future of our local business landscape. [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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