2005 was a good year for Door County and DCEDC. In April, we released the findings of the Door County Economic Development Adjustment plan and now work toward implementing the recommendations outlined by our consultants. In February, Governor Doyle committed $9.2 Million to the implementation of our Shipbuilding Cluster Master Plan. In May, Door County Legislative Days scored a major success in getting the new Sturgeon Bay bridge crossing approved on the fast track, and in July, the entire peninsula was celebrated as Door County was declared Capital for the Day. A full list of 2005 Accomplishments is available on the DCEDC website (link below)

The DCEDC Board of Directors recently established our top priority objectives for 2006, including securing the final funding necessary for the implementation of the Shipbuilding Plan; implementing several recommended tactics and action steps from our Door County Economic Development Adjustment Plan; the revitalization of the DCEDC Workforce Taskforce; continuing to help facilitate Brilliant Cities, Inc. proposed fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure deployment; and helping facilitate the relocation of WireTech and the subsequent redevelopment of their current site for affordable housing. As always, the DCEDC staff will continue to be available to provide on-going guidance and assistance to the entrepreneurs and business owners of Door County.

Wisconsin manufacturers must adapt to a fast- changing world in order to grow and succeed in the 21st century. That is the thrust of a major study of the state’s industrial economy released in October by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) and authored by the Manufacturing Performance Institute, an Ohio-based research firm.

The study cites a critical need for the state’s manufacturers to pursue value-added strategies, in which they combine products and services into complete value packages that allow for greater customization – and higher profit margins.

The study’s findings also indicate that exports represent a significant opportunity for the state’s many small manufacturers. From 1992–2001, 30% of US exports were from small- and medium-size firms, two-thirds of which had 20 or fewer employees. Their numbers grew twice as fast as large-company exporters. The study states that smaller, more flexible companies may be able to grow exports faster than their larger competitors.

Door County manufacturing businesses realized some significant growth during 2005. Marine Travelift released plans for an 18,240 square foot building addition and anticipates hiring fifty new employees in the next two years. Additionally, Marine Travelift has cleared the first step towards securing $250,000 in Wisconsin Department of Commerce Technology Zone tax credits. Hatco Corporation has almost completed an 8,500 square foot addition to their steel receiving facility and has purchased new finishing system equipment from Industrial Park neighbor Thermo-Tron- X.

A new manufacturing company will open its doors in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park in 2006. Future Machine, Inc. is a medical device manufacturer that will be located in the center section of the former Emerson Motors building. The company will produce plastic and titanium screws and surgical implements. Owner Mark Brunsvold brings his prior experience founding a similar company in Florida to Door County. The new company anticipates providing at least 24 jobs in Sturgeon Bay within the next three years. Future Machine is being assisted in financing their start-up costs through funding from the DCEDC and County of Door Revolving Loan Funds.

DCEDC invites area entrepreneurs, artisans, crafts people and food producers to learn how local businesses can sell products on the internet. Business owners in Door County can receive a free one-year membership on Wisconsin Common Market, a new e-commerce mall designed to sell products from small businesses in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Common Market, partially funded by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce as part of the U.S.D.A. Rural Development program, is working to help entrepreneurs and small, Wisconsin-owned businesses use e-commerce to sell to customers across the globe. Interested companies can join the Wisconsin Common Market through DCEDC. Contact Bill Chaudoir, Mary Paitrick or Sam Perlman to learn how.

DCEDC has recently been established as a certified intake center for the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network (WEN). WEN () provides integrated statewide support to entrepreneurs in all types of businesses and developmental stages. WEN can provide assistance on topics such as: starting a business; finance and accounting; marketing and product development; and intellectual property.

Entrepreneurs can use WEN to find specific business expertise through the WEN Resource Navigator. Based on answers to a few questions about your business and the assistance you seek, the Resource Navigator will compile a list of organizations that can help. The WEN Toolbox lists events, products, organizations, services, publications, and websites with a focus on business start-up strategies, financing, economic development and business innovation.

Since September, the DCEDC staff has presented the findings of the Door County Economic Development Adjustment Plan to more than twenty local municipal governments and other community groups to solicit support and volunteers for implementation of the Plan recommendations. If your group would be interested in hearing a presentation on the Plan, contact Sam Perlman, Economic Development Manager at 920-743- 3113 x204 or sam@doorcountybusiness.com.

DCEDC staff has already begun implementing recommendations from the Economic Development Adjustment Plan, including locating and securing the final funding necessary for the implementation of the Shipbuilding Cluster Master Plan. DCEDC is also facilitating the establishment of a Door County angel investment network. Once formed, this group will consider investment proposals from new technology and high-growth businesses. Beginning in early 2006, DCEDC will be working with Infusion Marketing from Green Bay to create a comprehensive branding campaign for Door County as a prime location for high-growth, high margin businesses and to grow the workforce in the area.