2006 brought some exciting changes to Door County and DCEDC. In July, DCEDC and the Door/Kewaunee Business & Education Partnership (DKBEP) received a $29,000 Community-Based Economic Development grant from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to fund a Regional Youth Training and Development Program designed to retain and attract more local youth to join the local workforce; the grant allowed us to hire Heather Powell to manage the DKBEP programs. Following a priority recommendation from the Door County Economic Development Adjustment Plan, DCEDC held the first meeting of a revitalized Workforce Taskforce, which includes business owners and HR directors from the County’s leading employers, to develop strategies and tactics to collectively address local workforce issues.

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce approved an amendment to the Door County Housing Assistance program that expanded the scope of the program to provide qualified first time homebuyers with up to $20,000 zero percent interest mortgage loans for the purchase of a home anywhere within the County. Using a $1000 micro grant from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network, DCEDC founded a Door County Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club, to provide networking and learning opportunities for anyone who is thinking about starting a business, bringing a new product to market or talking to people who are already established in business. A summary of our 2006 Major Accomplishments is available on the DCEDC website at the link below.

The DCEDC Board of Directors recently established our top priority objectives for 2007, including securing the final funding and approvals to implement the Sturgeon Bay Shipbuilding Cluster Master Plan; refocus Technology Council efforts on short-term solutions for underserved areas and developing long term plans for countywide fiber optic deployment; continue implementation of marketing strategies recommended in the Economic Development Adjustment Plan that target retirees, visitors and seasonal residents for business development opportunities in the county; facilitate the DCEDC Workforce Taskforce and implement action plan to address workforce needs and issues as defined by the community; develop and support a Northern Door Business Cluster, and coordinate 2007 Door County Legislative Days in Madison. 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.

The Northeast Wisconsin (N.E.W) Manufacturing Alliance is a group of manufacturers working with educational institutions, workforce development boards, chambers of commerce, and state organizations to promote manufacturing in our region. The vision of the Alliance is to have northeast Wisconsin recognized as a world leader in advanced manufacturing opportunities.

DCEDC recently worked with two local companies to provide business expansion financing and help create new jobs in the community. N.E.W. Industries received a $250,000 loan to help equip their new location in the former Emerson Motors building and help the company compete with overseas rivals, creating sixteen new jobs. Door County Custom Stone, a new stone quarry and cutting company, was provided a loan for $200,000 to purchase stone cutting equipment for their newly constructed production facility. The company anticipates retaining 20 jobs and creating 25 new jobs to the local economy in the next three years.

DCEDC administers Revolving Loan Fund programs offered by the DCEDC Board of Directors, the City of Sturgeon Bay and the County of Door, to facilitate the expansion or start-up of local businesses. During the 15-year history of the Door County Revolving Loan Funds, DCEDC has serviced 41 loans with a value of over $5.2 Million.

Palmer Johnson recently began construction on the renovation and 15,000+ square foot expansion of their existing Kentucky Street facility in Sturgeon Bay. This is the exciting first step in implementation of the Shipbuilding Cluster Master Plan. Full implementation of Phase One of the Plan includes building a new production facility for Palmer Johnson and a new ship launch system for Bay Shipbuilding Company, which would also be used by Palmer Johnson.

The end of 2006 also brings a change in our staff, as we bid a fond farewell to Sharon Spengler, our office assistant for the past three and a half years. Sharon, her husband Erik and their daughter Emily are relocating to Madison, as Erik takes on a new challenge. We are grateful to Sharon for all her dedication and hard work over the years, and wish her family the very best in Madison.