DCEDC recently wrote a letter supporting the application by Fincantieri-Bay Shipbuilding Company for a Harbor Assistance Program grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The proposed project is Phase II of a three phase project to improve the ship docking capacity in the South yard of the shipyard. Phase II includes new dock wall along Berth 2 and dredging of Berth 2 and 3. This investment will have a huge impact to Bay Shipbuilding and Door County by generating new direct shipyard jobs and indirect work for suppliers of materials and equipment.

 DCEDC also wrote a letter to U.S. Senators Baldwin and Johnson, urging them to vote against a proposed bill amendment that would eliminate the U.S. construction requirements of the Jones Act. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, provides for the promotion and maintenance of the American merchant marine. Among other purposes, the law requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on ships constructed in the United States. Nearly 100% of the new construction work at Bay Ship is Jones Act work. Repeal of the Jones Act would undo their growth and have a severe negative impact on the Door County and Wisconsin economy. Thankfully, the amendment failed to make the Senate floor. 

As last year's winner of the Door County Industry of The Year award, Hatco Corporation was nominated by DCEDC for the regional Manufacturing Awards of Distinction, given by the Greater Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. The company went on to win the prestigious award last November. On February 26th, Hatco will be in contention for the statewide Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award, at a black tie event in Milwaukee. Hatco is also celebrating their milestone 65th anniversary in 2015. Since 1950, Hatco has been a leader in creating innovative ideas for the foodservice industry.

Door/Kewaunee Business & Education Partnership and The Women's Fund of Door County are collaborating to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) awareness and provide area youth with a fun opportunity to experience STEM phenomena that they might not otherwise encounter. Mark your calendars on Saturday, April 11th for the first-ever Door/Kewaunee Science & Engineering Festival featuring Mind Trekkers!  The event will run at Southern Door High School from 9am-3pm and is free and open to the public.   

Described as a "carnival of science," the event focuses on STEM experiments and gives students the opportunity to engage in over 100 hands-on activities that last between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. This event is fun for kids (big and little) of all ages! Kids/adults can participate in experiments like racing floating Legos, walking on water, and eating ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.