News from Centergy

Centergy News
Updates from your regional economic development alliance

July 2011- Vol 2, Issue 6

In This Issue

Broadband investment plan

Regional Quality of Life video

Economic Development incentives

Executive summary of 2011 regional employer survey

The North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (NCWWDB) recently completed a workforce survey with 395 employers to better align training dollars and skill demands.

Snapshot of Results

- 74% plan to hire 1-5

employees in 2011

- 54% stated they were not

experiencing recruitment

issues

- 50% stated 'intermediate'

skills (requiring certificate up

to Associates Degree) were

needed for open positions

- 41% stated they would need

to hire in 3-6 months

- 75% stated they are investing in employee training

Makeup of employers responding to survey:

-37% Manufacturing

-15% Finance & Insurance

- 8% Healthcare and Social

Assistance

-5% Retail Trade

-27% Other

-8% Not identified

Please CLICK HERE for Executive Summary of Employer Survey.

CLICK HERE to view the Wisconsin Workforce Investment Act State Plan.

Meet the Centergy
Board of Directors

Centergy is blessed to have a strong, diverse board of directors from both the public and private sectors.

Meet them HERE.

Quick Links

What's New
Workforce Development

Business Development
Community Development

Greetings!

Regional Economic Development Report guides Centergy mission, strategy

Barb Fleisner

Centergy is one of seven designated economic development regions in the state of Wisconsin. Two more are under formation, which will allow the entire state of Wisconsin to be attached to regional strategies.

It is important to note that in order for any regional entity to be successful in growing their respective communities, we must leverage the work and talent of local economic development, workforce, and government professionals.

Centergy's mission is to stimulate measurable economic development in Central Wisconsin by aligning resources, encouraging cooperation among all sectors of our regional economy, and promoting the value of doing business here. So how do we measure the results? While Centergy cannot take credit for job creation, we do work on business's behalf to promote the region for retention, expansion, and recruitment of business enterprise and talent; develop the business culture, foster business development ideas and link resources. With the newly created Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation that replaced the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, a report was compiled by the Department of Workforce Development Office of Economic Advisors on each region. This report covers our geographical area of Adams, Marathon, Portage, and Wood Counties, and portions of Lincoln County. Among other tools, this information will be used to benchmark business and workforce activity. Please click here for the report.

Please contact the Centergy office should you wish for more information or if you would like to volunteer in any aspect of our operation.

Best regards,

Barb

Barb Fleisner

Executive Director

Centergy part of broadband investment strategy

In keeping with our mission to support infrastructure for business growth, Centergy partnered with the Public Service Commission to develop a local task force of experts that has identified broadband deficiencies. These efforts tie into a statewide initiative called LinkWisconsin, to promote the
availability and sustainable adoption of
broadband internet access.

It is important to note that several areas in the Centergy region are also part of the University of Wisconsin -Extension led effort that will build, through a private partner, 630 miles of cable and 12 wireless/WiMAX towers to connect up to 182 key public anchor institutions in four demonstration communities in Wisconsin. When the infrastructure work is complete, the community area networks will own and manage infrastructure within their communities. The private provider will be able to sell or lease access to its fiber through splice points every few miles, allowing private providers to connect with the network to provide last mile service to business and residential customers. The second UWEX led initiative is to have 23,500 new subscribers using broadband technology through educational outreach and marketing efforts, with the customers purchasing services from private telecommunications providers.

For more information or to add your comments about either project you may go HERE or HERE .

Centergy Quality of Life video near completion

To help attract business and talent to our region, Centergy's Marketing Committee is working on a quality of life video which will be accessible on our webpage and can be downloaded for individual business use. Please watch for the premiere release event to be held in late August.

2011-2013 Economic Development incentives enacted

Regardless of what political party you may support, there is no argument that the first six months of 2011 were anything but inactive. Three significant economic development-related incentives were approved to include Relocation Tax Deductions and Credits, Small Business Tax Credit, and Domestic Production Activities Income Tax Credit. Two additional programs were expanded dealing with the Economic Development Tax Credit Program and the Enterprise Zones. Please click here for more information. You may also contact the Centergy office or Deb Clements, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's area representative at Deb.Clements@Wisconsin.gov.