Coalition Unveils Be Bold Wisconsin-The Wisconsin Competitiveness Study
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA), in collaboration with Competitive Wisconsin, Inc., the Wisconsin Counties Association and a diverse coalition of statewide stakeholders, completed a collaborative economic development study that focuses on identifying and aligning policy, programs and organizations to competitively position Wisconsin in the global marketplace.
Be Bold Wisconsin - The Wisconsin Competitiveness Study includes comprehensive research and benchmarking and provides executable recommendations to improve upon Wisconsin's overall business and investment landscape.
The Study sets two goals: Move Wisconsin to the Top 10 in business start ups, and move Wisconsin to the Top 10 for business expansions. Both goals are to be accomplished by 2016. To help achieve these goals, the study also calls for $500 million in new investment. This investment would be focused on efforts that will advance high-wage and high-growth opportunities in Wisconsin. When created, this investment fund would place Wisconsin in a leadership position nationally.
For additional Study information, please visit www.weda.org. To view the study, click here. To read an article from the Wisconsin State Journal on the study, click here.
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Apply Today for 2010 Wisconsin Good Government Awards
 Entries are now being accepted for the 2010 Wisconsin Good Government Awards (GGA). The Good Government Awards program was established in 2003 to recognize and promote effective government practices that result in reduced costs and improved services.
Any Wisconsin county or city/village/town government may enter in one of the following categories:
· County-led effort to reduce costs and improve services · City/Village-led effort to reduce costs and improve services ◦ Under 10,000 population ◦ Over 10,000 population · Town-led effort to reduce costs and improve services
One winning entry in each category will receive the award which includes a $1,000 Community Enhancement Grant.
Visit the GGA website for additional information and entry materials including an online application: http://www.wisgoodgov.com. Nominations are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 3, 2010.
The GGA program is presented by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association and Foth Companies. |
Thirty-Seven Counties Vote to Place Transportation Fund Referendum on Fall Ballot
In the past few weeks, 37 Wisconsin county boards have voted to include an advisory referendum question on the fall election ballot asking if the Wisconsin constitution should be amended to protect transportation funds. Many more counties are expected to take up the initiative in the coming month. "County highway departments have seen firsthand the negative impact past transfers have had on the public's confidence in transportation investment in Wisconsin," said Daniel J. Fedderly, executive director of the Wisconsin County Highway Association. The Wisconsin County Highway Association is part of Finding Forward, a broad-based coalition of Wisconsin county and municipal governments, private businesses, organized labor, agriculture, non-profit associations, regional planning interests, housing organizations and other groups, all of which support amending the Wisconsin constitution to prohibit transferring money from the transportation fund to the state's general fund or for purposes unrelated to transportation. The majority of states in the nation currently protect their transportation funds via constitutional provisions. More information about Finding Forward and the campaign to safeguard Wisconsin's transportation fund is available at www.FindingForwardWisconsin.org. |
WCA Partners with Organizations to Sponsor On-Farm Agriculture Community Engagement Twilight Meetings August 11 and 12
Three Wisconsin organizations-Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association and the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin-are partnering to sponsor two on-farm Agriculture Community Engagement Twilight Meetings in August. The meetings, conducted in different parts of the state, are set for Wednesday, Aug. 11, and Thursday, Aug. 12.
"This is an open invitation to the state's community leaders, elected officials, conservation officials, dairy and livestock producers and all citizens interested in learning from each other so Wisconsin communities can be vibrant and green," states Eric Hillan, dairy producer from Ladysmith and president of PDPW. "Those attending an ACE twilight meeting will be treated to a 60-minute tour of the hosting dairy followed by a discussion moderated by Dennis Frame of UW Discovery Farm. The discussion will provide a platform for open communication about issues important to our communities.
To learn more, including registration information, click here.
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Wisconsin Budget Project Blog Unveiled
State fiscal policy issues are going to be extremely important during the coming election season and during the development of Wisconsin's next biennial budget. With that in mind, the Wisconsin Budget Project (which is an initiative of the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families) has initiated a new blog. You can find it by clicking here.
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Listen in to "Business Solutions" on August 21 with Mark O'Connell as the Host
 WCA Executive Director Mark D. O'Connell will be the guest host of "Business Solutions with Diane Chamness" on August 21, 2010.
O'Connell is a regular host of the show, which airs Saturdays at 1 p.m. on WISN 1130AM. For more information, visit www.dianeonbusiness.com.
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WCA Marketplace Brings Together Buying Power of Counties
The WCA Annual Conference brings together the buying power of Wisconsin's counties in one location for three days. Will your company be a part of it? If you are a business
interested in exhibiting at the event, click here. For additional WCA Conference
information, including exhibition opportunities, contact WCA Marketing
and Events Coordinator Cheryl Fleck at fleck@wicounties.org or at
866.404.2700. |
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Are We Still a Civil Nation?
The results of a national civility survey were released on June 22, 2010. Read an article from NACo.org on this fascinating study by clicking here.
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To Ponder...
The percentage of Nevada mortgages that are worth less than what is owed on the loan - the country's worst negative equity ratio: 70%
Source: "Housing Wire"
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WCA Now on Facebook!
 Follow up-to-the minute news and updates on WCA's new Facebook page.
Check it out here and be sure to become a fan!
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