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Developments

December 2014
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in this issue

Happy Holidays!

2014 Recap

2015 Forecast

Buy Local Mixer

Entrepreneurial Training

Manufacturing Vitality Index

Manufacturing Matters!

Board Moves

Happy Holidays! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The DCEDC staff extends to you hopes for a joyful holiday season filled with family, fun, food and frivolity.

We wish you a safe, healthy, peaceful

and prosperous New Year!

2014 Recap

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2014 was a year that saw significant evidence of an improving global economy, and also saw progress on a number of Door County projects and initiatives. Therma-Tron-X constructed a 26,800 square foot addition to their existing plant in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park. Door County Brewing opened their tasting room and boutique brewery in Baileys Harbor. Pro Products, Inc. purchased a new lot in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park, and began construction of their new, 40,000 square foot facility. Jim Olson Automotive Group expanded by purchasing the Ford/Lincoln dealership in Sturgeon Bay. Cadence Inc. joined the local business community with its purchase of the former Plainfield Stamping. The Door County Community Foundation launched the Door County Community Opportunity Investment Network (COIN) micro-loan and mentoring program for local businesses, administered by DCEDC. Door County Coastal Byway completed construction of 12 federal grant-financed informational kiosks around the 66-mile byway route. In May, the City of Sturgeon Bay was officially declared a US Coast Guard City, one of 16 around the country and the only one in Wisconsin. Door County Broadband completed the acquisition of DCWis/NEWWIS in April, and began a significant program of network upgrades and improvements.

Click the link to review a summary of our 2014 Major Accomplishments on the DCEDC website.

2015 Forecast

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The DCEDC staff and Board of Directors are in the process of establishing our priority strategic objectives for 2015; top priorities include: lead the planning and execution of Door/Kewaunee Legislative Days in Spring; continue to implement the final phases of the Sturgeon Bay Shipbuilding Cluster Master Plan; partnering with other groups to help strengthen the tourism industry; assist the City of Sturgeon Bay with the implementation of the West Side Waterfront Redevelopment Plan; assist other local communities implement downtown redevelopment plans; develop and implement programs to sustain and grow the local workforce, including release and promotion of a talent attraction video. 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.

Buy Local Business Mixer

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Door County Buy Local is holding their next business networking mixer on Wednesday, January 7th, 5:30-7pm at Stangel Accounting, 354 North Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. The event will feature a program on "Preparing for Wisconsin Business Tax Changes in 2015." The mixer will also provide time for an update about the status and activities of the Door County Buy Local program. Attendees are asked to make a $5 donation to cover costs; refreshments and appetizers will be provided. To RSVP for this event by Monday, January 5th or if you have questions, please email bill@doorcountybusiness.com or call 920-743-3113 ext. 200.

Entrepreneurial Training Program

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DCEDC, in association with the UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center, will once again sponsor the annual Entrepreneurial Training Program course in Door County. Beginning Monday, January 26, 2015, this course takes students through a step-by-step approach to writing a professional business plan. The eight-week course is open to those who are considering starting their own business, existing small businesses struggling to get a handle on all the details or successful businesses looking to grow. The cost for the Door County Entrepreneurial Training Program course is only $250, including books and materials. Registration forms and additional information are available on the DCEDC website.

2015 Manufacturing Vitality Index

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The results of the fifth annual Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Manufacturing Vitality Index were recently released by the NEW Manufacturing Alliance. The study focused on northeast Wisconsin manufacturers' plans for 2015 and study surveyed employers that had $3 million dollars or more in annual revenue and 25 or more employees; 151 manufacturers responded to the survey.

86% of respondents expect an increase in sales in 2015, and 66% plan on plant modernization in the next 12-24 months. Over forty percent of manufacturers are planning on hiring throughout each quarter in 2015. However, the study also found that 72% expect they will have difficulty locating talent in the region. Employers are finding the workforce lacking in communications skills, attendance, work ethic, math and decision-making skills.

Click for the full report: 2015 Manufacturing Vitality Index

Manufacturing Matters!

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Manufacturers from across Wisconsin are meeting in Milwaukee on February 26th, 2015 for a unique opportunity to learn, network and celebrate Wisconsin manufacturing. For 18 years, the Manufacturing Matters! conference has focused attention on innovative practices that place Wisconsin Manufacturers among the very best in the nation. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP), the conference will begin at 7am at the Hyatt Hotel, followed by the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year awards at the Pfister Hotel at 5:30pm.

Board Moves

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At their December meeting the DCEDC Board reelected the following members for a new, two year term: Leslie Gast (Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center & Baylake Bank); Jan Campbell (Door County Board of REALTORS & ERA/Starr Realty); and Darren Voigt (Bank of Luxemburg). Additionally, Ron Flittner (Door County Visitor Bureau & Tannenbaum Holiday Shop) was newly elected to the Board for a two year term.

For the New Year, our current ex-officio Board members were also re-elected for a one-year term: Rob Burke (UW-Extension); Bill Chaudoir (DCEDC); Zeke Jackson (Village of Sister Bay); Steve McNeil (City of Sturgeon Bay); Jack Moneypenny (DCVB); Pam Seiler (SBVC); Jim Stawicki (Sturgeon Bay Utilities); Dale Swanson (WPSC); Grant Thomas (County of Door); and Cheryl Tieman (NWTC).

In January, our slate of Board officers will be officially elected; nominees include: Mike Baudhuin (Chair); Darren Voigt (Vice-Chair); Leslie Gast (Treasurer); and Bill Chaudoir (Secretary).

DCEDC also bid a fond farewell to retiring Board member Vicki Wilson (Door County Visitor Bureau & Door County Coffee and Tea).

We greatly appreciate all of these individuals for their service to our organization.