Week of October 17, 2016

Mark O'Connell Interviews StageW's Andy Gronik on Returning Spotlight to People of WI

StageW is returning the spotlight to the people of our state and discussing important priorities in this WISN interview with WCA Executive Director Mark D. O'Connell and his guest, StageW Founder and President Andy Gronik.

Listen here to the O'Connell and Gronik interview.  

See an outstanding StageW video here, which begins "Who are we, beyond a you and a me, an us or a them, an enemy a friend."

Douglas County Weighs Business Sustainability Through PACE Program


Douglas County has equipped itself with a powerful tool to help economic development. 

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a financing option that enables property owners to obtain low-cost, long-term loans for energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects.

To learn more about Douglas County's decision to adopt the PACE program click the link to the article in the Superior Telegram below. 

Superior Telegram- County Weighs Business Sustainability 
Brownfields 101: Redevelopment Resources for Local Governments 

The Brownsfields Redevelopment Program at DNR is hosting a one-day conference on Nov. 2 in Stevens Point geared for employees and elected officials at the local county level.

This one-day event  is an opportunity for people to get the latest information on turning around underused or abandoned commercial or industrial properties. 

For more information about the conference click here.
Wisconsin Implements Evidence-Based Decision Making Initiative
 
                              
Wisconsin has been invited to partner with the
United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections (NIC) to start the Implementation Phase of the Evidence-Based Decision Making in State and Local Criminal Justice Systems Initiative (EBDM).

This Phase will build off of recent collaborative planning efforts to enable state and local teams in Wisconsin to partner in implementing evidence-based strategies to improve the criminal justice system. 

This phase will begin November 1, 2016 and will be initially funded through December 2017.

Read the full news release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice. 
Wisconsin Hospital Association Promotes Community Health

Healthy hospitals and health systems are a cornerstone of a healthy community. Across Wisconsin, hospitals and health systems are partnering with businesses and industries to create, manage or assist with efforts to build employer or community-based wellness programs. 

The Wisconsin Hospital Association, in partnership with WisconsinEye, has released the latest video in their series dedicated to building awareness of Wisconsin's high-quality, high-value health care, and the positive impact that improving the health of the community has on the economic development in our state. 

If you would like to learn more about hospital/employer partnerships, contact Mary Kay Grasmick or Eric Borgerding

Wisconsin Attorney General: Public Records and Open Government Seminars
 
The Attorney General Brad Schimel is encouraging the public and all 
government officials to attend one of two seminars this month on Public  Records and Open Meetings laws, hosted by the Department of Justice's Office of Open Government.

Registration for these seminars is currently open and they are free!
 
The second seminar will take place on: 
 
October 26, 2016 
Brown County Public Library
515 Pine Street
Green Bay, WI 54301
12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
 
To register for a seminar click here. 
 
For more information read the release
UW-Extension Update

UW Extension has recently made modifications to the nEXT Generation process. To view the letter explaining the modifications click here

Also released is the October newsletter about all recent updates in the UW-Extention programs. 

WCA Associate Members

The role and relationship of government with the private sector has changed in recent years. The creation of the WCA Associate Member Program is one more way WCA is reaching out to bring together the public and private sectors.

WCA Associate Members include:

AECOM
American Transmission Company, LLC
Baird
Discover Mediaworks 
Motorola Solutions, Inc. 
Siemens
Wipfli LLP

We encourage you to learn more about our WCA Associate Members by clicking here.  For more information about this program please contact WCA Marketing and Events Manager Cheryl Fleck at 866.404.2700.    
IN THIS ISSUE
O'Connell Interviews StageW's Gronik
Douglas County Joins PACE Program
Brownfields 101: Redevelopment Program
WI Implements EBDM Initiative
WHA Promotes Community Health
Public Records and Open Meetings Seminars
UW-Extention Update
WCA Associate Members