Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Organize for downtown success
There are so many timeouts in every game but in the downtown development game lots of people are saying that the economy is so bad that there’s not much to do. That’s true, if your redevelopment effort is solely focused on waiting for fresh money and new business to come your way. There are several activities that can be undertaken in an economic timeout like working with the needs of existing business, inventorying downtown properties and business mix, evaluating programs and events and brainstorming new ideas. (more…)
Tags: downtown redevelopment, organizational structure
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Assisting Mainstreet Retailers
I just finished reading an article titled “How to Sell a City”. It’s about Philadelphia’s Retail Marketing Alliance, and their efforts to bolster their retail scene. This is an exciting city-wide campaign dedicated specifically to the promotion of the retail sector. The PRMA conducts research on local consumer behavior, keeps close tabs on stores, courts national brands, raises awareness about the city among entrepreneurs and even helps promote new businesses after they have opened. This is a great concept to acknowledge the importance of retail, and how it enlivens downtowns and neighborhoods!
Tags: assistance, downtowns, main street, retail
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Move forward confidently
“There is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies from all those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order, this lukewarmness arising partly from their fear of their adversaries, who have the laws in their favor, and partly from the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it.” – Machiavelli, The Prince, 1532
Tags: Community change, economic development, redevelopment
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What You Focus on Expands
This sentence has stuck with me since the year 2000 when I heard Oprah Winfrey say those very words at one of her Personal Growth Summits in Chicago. I was in attendance for an evening of casual conversation with Oprah (along with a few thousand other women) and although I remember other things from that evening, those words have resonated with me over the past ten years. “What you focus on expands”. Her point is that if you spend just 30 minutes on any one thing every day, it will expand, grow, improve, or become bigger in your life.
If you spend 30 minutes a day focusing on the vacant land in your industrial park and how you can market it to the right people, eventually things will start to happen. If you spend 30 minutes a day cultivating relationships with retailers, brokers, site selectors or small business owners, that activity will bring results to your community. If you spend 30 minutes a day reviving your languishing business retention program, or continuing to call on existing business in your community, good things will start to happen for those businesses and for your community. If you spend 30 minutes a day working to improve relationships with your local elected officials, guess what? Those relationships WILL improve.
What you focus on expands – in your community, in your career, in your life. Invest some energy today!
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Tips for successful implementation
We’ve recently had the opportunity to work with a small community that is working hard to implement economic development strategies. They have completed a Comprehensive Plan and are still committed to the goals they originally developed. However, implementation of this work has been challenging – and how could it not be? Resources are limited, as in any small community, i.e. money, staff, volunteers, training, time. The community understands the activities that should be undertaken, but moving the process forward with so many constraints is exhausting.
Here are some ideas on how your community might prepare your team to be successful working together to impement a plan:
1. Be enthusiastic about what you are undertaking. Attitude is absolutely critical for success.
2. Organize how you will approach the work. Clearly identify who will lead the effort, and who will support the effort.
3. Set realistic expectations, and divide the work into bite-size pieces.
4. Share the work with as many groups or community participants as possible.
5. Work the plan EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Successful implementation is always community driven and must be a community priority.
Tags: community plans, comprehensive plans, implementation, plan
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Redevelopment Resources Network
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Join WEDA for our Spring Meeting in Wausau. This year's is theme: 2012 Collaborations: Bringing Ideas Together. The afternoon will be an interactive session with attendees:
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Centergy 2012 Economic Summit
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SAVE THE DATE: Centergy 2012 Economic Summit
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Please mark your calendars for Centergy's Economic Summit to be held onWednesday, May 2 from 8am to noon at Sentry Theater @1800.
This annual event sponsored by Centergy brings together business leaders and community members interested in promoting and growing Central Wisconsin for a morning of regional updates, networking, and motivational messages. This year will be no exception. Highlights will include the impact that the new Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is having on economic development throughout our region and details about the new initiatives and tools that this organization is deploying to communities. We are pleased to announce that Secretary Paul Jadin, CEO of the WEDC will be the keynote speaker for the event. More details will follow in the next several weeks.
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Barron County Economic Development Corp ECONOMIC GARDENING CONFERENCE
2012 Northwest Wisconsin Economic Gardening Conference
When:May 2, 2012
8:30 am
Where:Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
1900 College Drive
Rice Lake, WI 54868
Contact:
David Armstrong (darmstrong@ricelakegov.org)
Barron County Economic Development Corporation will host the 1st annual Economic Gardening Conference in Rice Lake, WI, on May 2nd, 2012. The conference’s primary focus is to give business leaders and economic development representatives the tools necessary to cultivate viable business development programs that will strengthen their communities, regions and states.
Economic development practitioners from throughout Wisconsin interested in learning more about economic gardening are invited to attend.Economic gardening is a development strategy that was first coined in Colorado inthe mid-1980’s. In this approach, secondary market research is used to retain andexpand existing businesses, as opposed to spending resources to attract newbusinesses to a community. As a result, businesses stabilize and grow, create newjobs, and generate new investments in their communities.
Barron County Economic Development Corp ECONOMIC GARDENING CONFERENCE»
WMEP: Manufacturing Matters!
Manufacturing Matters! Hosted by WMEP
| When: | 5/9/2012 | |
| Where: |
Frontier Airlines Center
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Center for Rural Entrepreneurship: Strategies to Recruit Alumni and Young Families to Your Community
Strategies to Recruit Alumni and Young Families to Your Community
Beginning in March, the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and the Heartland Center for Leadership Development will co-host a three-part webinar series to help rural leaders address youth out-migration through attracting alumni and young families. This webinar series will incorporate the extensive experience of both organizations in working with young people and community leaders to revitalize rural communities. It also builds upon input gathered from over 30,000 young people across rural America about what motivates them to want to return to rural communities. If you would like a taste of this series, we invite you to click on this link to view a free webinar recording conducted by both Centers in December, 2011.
In three one-hour sessions, co-hosts Milan Wall of the Heartland Center and Craig Schroeder of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship will guide you through the process of identifying your target audience in relation to your community's strongest assets, crafting a compelling message and brand to attract new residents and building a game plan for recruiting alumni and young families to your community. Upon completion of this series, you will have the knowledge and tools needed to move forward with implementing your action plan.
May 15, 2012: Building a Winning Game Plan
· Connecting with newcomers and returnees
· The medium is (still) the message
· How to seal the deal
· Why people stay...or leave
Contact:
Craig Schroeder
RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship
craig@e2mail.org
402-423-8788
Financial Analysis for Economic Development Deals & Projects
Financial Analysis for Economic Development Deals & Projects
When:Wednesday, May 16, 2012
1:00 pm
Where:Kalahari Resort
1305 Kalahari Drive
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
United StatesContact:
Megan Purtell (megan@weda.org)
Financial Analysis for Deals and Projects
Attend the Financial Analysis for ED Deals and Projects course and learn how to analyze a deal for financial success. You will learn how to:
- Critically assess the soundness of a deal using common credit underwriting practices
- Learn how to structure deals with the appropriate and necessary amount of public sector support
- Ask the right questions to discern long-term success of the project
- Understand contribution percentages and appropriate payback of incentives
- Structure a sources and uses statement to assist in making the case for support to elected officials and financial institutions
- Gain confidence in your ability to package a deal with different and effective private and public funding mechanisms!
Financial Analysis for Economic Development Deals & Projects»
UWSP 23rd Annual Lenders Conference 2012
University of WI Stevens Point
23rd Annual Lenders Conference
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2012 Wisconsin Lenders Conference |
For additonal details and online registration: |
UWSP 23rd Annual Lenders Conference 2012
University of WI Stevens Point
23rd Annual Lenders Conference
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2012 Wisconsin Lenders Conference |
For additonal details and online registration: |
WDAC LaCrosse Community Visit
Wisconsin Downtown Action Council
& Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. Present
Downtown La Crosse
Employment, Housing, & Culture
Part of the WDAC Community Visit Series
May 18, 2012, 10:00am – 2:30pm
Historic Piggy’s Restaurant - Ballroom
501 Front Street S, La Crosse, WI
$20 – payable at the door
Space is limited so please RSVP today to:
DMI at 608-784-0440 or
downtownmainstreet@centurytel.net
WEDA:Manufacturing Advantage Conference 2012
Manufacturing Advantage Conference 2012
When: May 21 & 22, 2012
Where: UW-Stout - Memorial Student Center
302 10th Avenue East
Menomonie 54751
United States
Contact: Randy Hulke (hulker@uwstout.edu
| Details |
| What keeps you up at night?
Register today for the Manufacturing Advantage Conference...
The worktime, innovation, logistics, sustainability, globalization, process improvement, culture so you can rest conference.
This multiple day event provides manufacturers with in-depth networking and educational opportunities that address the key ailments facing manufacturers today. Key tracks will feature best practices, insights and tools to address key strategy areas including:
· Customer-focused innovation
· Workforce engagement, development and retention
· Superior process improvement
· Sustainability Global engagement / Supply chain.
Focused tracks for 2012 will allow participants a more in-depth experience in the strategic area of their choice including key concepts, best practice sharing and specific tools for action. Register today to receive preferred pricing.
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WEDA:Manufacturing Advantage Conference 2012
Manufacturing Advantage Conference 2012
When: May 21 & 22, 2012
Where: UW-Stout - Memorial Student Center
302 10th Avenue East
Menomonie 54751
United States
Contact: Randy Hulke (hulker@uwstout.edu
| Details |
| What keeps you up at night?
Register today for the Manufacturing Advantage Conference...
The worktime, innovation, logistics, sustainability, globalization, process improvement, culture so you can rest conference.
This multiple day event provides manufacturers with in-depth networking and educational opportunities that address the key ailments facing manufacturers today. Key tracks will feature best practices, insights and tools to address key strategy areas including:
· Customer-focused innovation
· Workforce engagement, development and retention
· Superior process improvement
· Sustainability Global engagement / Supply chain.
Focused tracks for 2012 will allow participants a more in-depth experience in the strategic area of their choice including key concepts, best practice sharing and specific tools for action. Register today to receive preferred pricing.
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25th Annual WWIG Scholarship Recognition Banquet 2012
25th Annual WWIG Scholarship Recognition Banquet 2012
When: May 24, 2012
5:30 pm
Where: Monona Terrace Convention & Community Center
One John Nolan Dr.
Madison, WI 53703
United States
Contact: Megan Purtell (mmpurtell@gmail.com
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Details
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Dana Perino, who served as the White House Press Secretary to former President George W. Bush, will keynote the Wisconsin Women in Government (WWIG) 25th Annual Scholarship Recognition Banquet on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.
WWIG’s annual dinner is the premier bipartisan political event in Wisconsin, attended by more than 1,000 federal, state and local elected officials, business leaders, public servants, and political enthusiasts. Since 1987, WWIG has raised money to support and encourage women to choose a career in public service and to advance women in government.
Individual banquet tickets are on sale now for $65 and can be purchased online by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below. You may also download the reservation form and mail it in. Those interested in attending can also call (608) 848-2321 for more information. Sponsorships are also available.
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2012 Wisconsin Real Estate and Economic Outlook Conference
2012 Wisconsin Real Estate and Economic Outlook Conference
When: 6/1/2012
7:45am – 3:30pm
Where: Fluno Center
601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53708
Contact: Lee Gottschalk (lgottschalk@bus.wisc.edu)
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Details
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With budget battles looming and the presidential election already in full swing, 2012 is sure to have monumental implications for housing policy. Unfortunately, developing and advancing bipartisan solutions to fix the nation’s ongoing housing challenges have proven difficult in today’s highly polarized political environment. But housing is not only a basic human need—it is also a critical element of our economy. Now more than ever is the time to take a fresh look at this issue and consider these questions:
· What policies should the current or the next administration implement to design a healthy, responsible, functioning, and efficient housing market?
· What are the key lessons from past housing programs and policies such as HAMP and HAFA? How can we apply those lessons to future policy prescriptions?
· What are the best solutions for addressing the massive inventories of vacant properties due to foreclosures?
· Will the recent $26 billion multi-state mortgage settlement against big banks help struggling homeowners?
· What are the potential outcomes of GSE reform?What are the right roles for lenders, capital markets, regulators, insurers, servicers, governmental entities, and consumers to play?
· What options will Americans of modest means have in regard to their housing needs?
This conference will present varied perspectives and analysis on these issues while stimulating ideas on how to spur the housing market and get the U.S. economy back on track for solid growth. You will hear from experts from the public and private sectors who are involved in government, business, and academia—all of them are on the front lines of housing market research, policy, and practice.
Who Should Attend
· Real estate and housing professionals
· Builders and developers
· State and local government employees
· Non-profit professionals
· Financial services professionals
· Anyone interested in community and economic development
Category Key
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- WDAC
- Today's Events
- Upcoming Events
- WEDA:Manufacturing Advantage Conference 2012
May 21, 2012 - 3:00 pm - 25th Annual WWIG Scholarship Recognition Banquet 2012
May 24, 2012 - 5:30 pm - 2012 Wisconsin Real Estate and Economic Outlook Conference
June 1, 2012 - 7:45 am