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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A few words from WCEDA's Executive Director, Derek D'Auria ... |
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Bring Your 'A' Game
Tuesdays, starting August 20, 2024
Gateway Technical College, Elkhorn Campus
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) Six weeks, Tuesdays from 7:30-10am
[Learn More/Register Now] |
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Alternative Lending Options
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva • 12-1pm
Cost: $12
Could you or one of your clients benefit from community development financing funds?
- Take away resources that may contribute to developing future customers
- Learn about options for gap financing
- Network with other business partners
- Learn about changes/updates to programs you may know about.
[Register Now] |
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Navigating AI: A Virtual Education Series
Thursdays from 12:30-12:50pm August 29 - November 7, 2024
This series is FREE and exclusive to WCEDA member company employees. Not sure if your company is a member? Contact us at leslie@walworthbusiness.com.
Have you experimented with ChatGPT but feel there's still so much more to learn? Are you seeking a marketing or prospecting solution but unsure where to begin? Do you feel overwhelmed by the multitude of AI app options and need help narrowing them down? Join us to explore the basics, so when you’re ready to dive into AI apps, you'll feel confident taking the plunge on your own. We’ll help you narrow down your options by providing an overview of popular business solutions. More info coming soon...
[Keep me in the loop please!] |
| Tentative, Partial Schedule Week 1: ChatGPT Virtual Assistant Week 2: Circleback Note Taking Week 3: xiQ Personality-driven Sales and Marketing
Week 4: Placer.ai Location Intelligence & Foot Traffic Data |
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| WCEDA's Kareers4Kids Golf Outing Fundraiser
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 Majestic Oaks at Lake Lawn Resort 8:30am shotgun start with lunch at the clubhouse after
Help Walworth County students plan their futures!
The Kareers4Kids program (FKA Inspire) is focused on facilitating activities for local youth career exploration.
Providing career-based learning opportunities is mutually beneficial to schools and companies. By connecting students with hands-on, career-based learning experiences (CBLEs), K4K helps students apply their academic and technical skills in the real world of work while also developing essential workplace skills critical to their future employment success. [Register Now] |
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Fundamentals of Supervision
Wednesdays, starting September 11, 2024
Gateway Technical College, Elkhorn Campus
This comprehensive program is designed to equip current and aspiring supervisors with the essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in today’s dynamic work environment. Four weeks, Wednesdays from 8-10am
[Learn More/Register Now] |
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WCEDA's Annual Meeting
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa • 11:30am - 2:00pm
WCEDA Members: $45 • Non-Members: $59
Building AI Agility: Human Flourishing in the AI Economy
In this talk, we explore how Generative AI is revolutionizing the way we work and learn. Positioned at the forefront of the Skills-Based Economy, this keynote offers a clear strategy to leverage AI for enhancing human capabilities and achieving business goals.
We emphasize the importance of balancing cutting-edge technology with cultivating uniquely human skills, essential for flourishing in the AI economy.
[Register Now] |
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| August
I can't believe it's already August! Summer has flown by so quickly. This month, I'm focusing on visiting businesses and preparing for the the upcoming school year, including planning company visits for our students. |
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I'm excited to share that our new Career Connected Learning Model is now live!
Offer level 1 experiences like employer visits and job shadows to get to know local potential help that is already interested in your industry. Offer level 2 experiences like Youth Apprenticeships and promote your entry-level job openings on the WI Job Board to fill your workforce gaps NOW!
If you're interested in hosting career visits for our students please visit our website to sign up, or give me a call and I can do it for you. It's a simple process.
Check out the informational video of our recent event, "Hiring Head Start" by clicking here. |
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| October October is Manufacturing Month. If you'd like to host students at your facility, please let me know. |
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| November
I'm looking forward to arranging career experiences in the hospitality industry during the month of November. If you're open to hosting students, please reach out to me or sign up through the Career Connected Learning Model above. |
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Unlock the potential of your team with WCEDA's Spanish for Business Class!
Basic, Intermediate & Advanced phrases for basic/entry-level Spanish speakers.
A great way for your supervisors and managers to better communicate with their Spanish speaking teams.
Led by our experienced instructor Joel Espinoza, this tailored program brings the classroom to you.
Option 1: Join a multi-company session.
This is a hybrid course consisting of ten, 90-minute sessions (nine hours online, six in person), that is oriented to basic/entry-level Spanish speakers. Participants who complete the course will receive a completion certificate.
Where:
The in-person portion of this course would be held at Gateway Technical College - Elkhorn Campus, South Building.
The virtual portion of the course would take place on Zoom.
Option 2: Custom Course
Do you have at least 10 participants? We can create a customized program based on your needs, at the basic, intermediate, or advanced level, with a minimum of 12 instructional hours, that can be broken down into multiple sessions.
Pricing for these classes: $365 per person for WCEDA members, and $465 per person for non-members.
If you are interested in joining or scheduling a custom course for your business, please reach out to Susan via email at Susan@Walworthbusiness.com, or contact her directly at 262.215.7254 to discuss. |
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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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It is harder than ever for American families to find a home that meets their needs at a price they can afford. Housing for all, continues to be an issue that the country, Walworth County, and each community in the county is struggling with.
We have been working with local municipalities, builder/developers, schools and corporations about this shortage. So today, let’s look at the homebuyer.
The ability to find a home in Walworth County is a struggle faced by potential homeowners, whether they are the young couple just starting out, the local worker trying to live close to their employment or the senior who would like to get out of the big family home into something they are able to maintain.
To do that they all face the same financial facts. Recently, working with a local builder/developer and financial institution, the following information was gathered to better understand what the potential homeowner is look at. To present these numbers there were three assumptions made:
** Assumes a 30 Year Fixed FHA Loan with 3.5% down payment
** Assumes a 30 Year Fixed Conventional Loan with 5% down payment
** Assumes a 740-credit score |
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Everyone is impacted by the housing shortage and everyone is working on solutions. Low interest rates are not part of the solution right now, but hopefully will be in the near futures. In the meantime, WHEDA and others are working on low interest down payment loans and other financial help. This information is shared when it becomes available and will be updated regularly. |
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Adams welcomes more than a dozen new electrical apprentices
More than a dozen young adults will start their electrical apprenticeships after a trades signing day. The construction industry has more than 400,000 job openings in the U.S., according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Adams Power, an electrical service company based in Elkhorn, signed 13 young people as registered electrical apprentices with the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin. [Read On]
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Options awarded $1 Million Expansion Grant
Options Virtual Charter School has been awarded a $1 million Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) expansion grant. The grant is one of 12 federal subgrant awards totaling $11.4 million for the purpose of planning, opening, or expanding charter schools in Wisconsin. Options plans to use grant funds to expand grade 6-12 enrollment and programming—increasing access to dual credit opportunities, internships, work-based learning experiences, and youth apprenticeships. [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 -0.08%, compared to -0.17% the previous market day and -0.70% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 0.86%. The 10-2 Treasury Yield Spread is the difference between the 10... |
| New orders for manufactured durable goods in the US slumped 6.6% month-over-month in June 2024, after four consecutive monthly increases and missing market expectations of a 0.3% increase. Transportation equipment... |
| Average Crude Oil Spot Price is at a current level of 83.26, up from 81.20 last month and up from 78.98 one year ago. This is a change of 2.53% from last month and 5.41% from one year ago. The Average Crude Oil Spot Price ... |
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Attention WCEDA Members!
Sign up for 4-hour block at Walworth County Fair booth to share information about your company or employment opportunities with fair attendees. No cost for members. Reach out to info@walworthbusiness.com for available time slots. If you are interested, act quickly, because time slots will fill fast. |
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August 6! How to Hire International Workers
The Jefferson County Human Resources Management Association (JCHRMA) has recently embarked on an exciting new chapter! We are laser-focused on empowering local and Wisconsin HR professionals and business owners to tap into the talent of newcomer workers from immigrant, ESL and refugee communities through programs like humanitarian parole, Welcome Corps, visas, and international workforce/asylee initiatives. [Learn More]
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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
Our friends at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), via the Wisconsin Green Innovation Fund, have been invited to compile a portfolio of fundable projects to submit to the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC), a national green bank.
This is a chance for your project(s) to impact the future of clean energy in Wisconsin. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to submit a proposal to the Wisconsin Green Innovation Fund! [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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Rent Smart Monday and Thursdays 1-2 pm – August 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, and 29 (check in August 5 1-2 pm)
The FREE Rent Smart Program is designed to help renters be more informed! Helping to make renting a great experience for you! The free online class is designed for renters! [More Info] |
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Encouraging Financial Conversations
FREE Tuesdays, 11:00am – 12:00 pm, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and November 5
Extension developed series that will help you engage in positive conversations around money. The training is geared for helping professionals (case managers, social workers, and other front-line staff), but open to anyone! You will learn how to help empower others to achieve their financial goals and manage their money. [Learn More] |
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Walworth County Financial Futures Incentive (WCFFI)
The Walworth County Financial Futures Incentive (WCFFI) Program can provide some help with reaching financial goals (including a financial boost of up to $500). [Learn More] |
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| | Wisconsin businesses eligible for federal disaster relief after unseasonably warm winter
Businesses may be eligible for federal aid through the U.S. Small Businesses Administration’s disaster loan program. The loans are meant to help businesses get through emergency situations that have led to economic losses. [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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