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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News December 8, 2005 - Cluster Brainstorm: Boost local merchants By John Wellens, for Daily Tribune Editor's note: The Daily Tribune will regularly run columns updating Community Progress Initiative activities and the work of its groups in local communities. Have you wondered why we have had trouble with our local economy? Well, a big reason is that we, as residents, spend far too much time and money outside of south Wood County. The reasons for this are varied. So, wouldn't it be nice to get into the minds of everyone in the local area and determine what it is they seek but do not find here in south Wood County? That would undoubtedly reveal some powerful information. A few of us in the New E-conomies cluster are working on an ideas incubator, which will capture that kind of information. We are creating a Web-based database that will collect ideas for products and services that are not currently being offered in this area. In addition, our hope is that this research can be done so thoroughly through the ideas incubator that it would help to support applications for bank loans for these ventures. To back up a little, consider things from consumers' viewpoint. They will have a chance to voice their opinions about what products they would like to see locally and are currently traveling to find. Perhaps some consumers would like to see a store carry more outdoor gear for hiking or backpacking, and they demand the very best of products, not necessarily the affordable, lower quality products. Or to think along the same lines, perhaps they would like to see an indoor climbing wall or gym in the area. Both of these items can be found in Madison or Minneapolis, but we do not have them here. We are losing at least some potential business because we do not service those needs. You might think there is not enough demand for these things in the local area, but how do we know that without some research? That's where the ideas incubator comes in. On the flip side, there are entrepreneurs who are eager to satisfy certain demands for products and services which are currently lacking in our market. Perhaps, through a great deal of collaboration and response to surveys conducted through the ideas incubator, it would be decided that offering a specialty restaurant is something that would go over well. An anxious entrepreneur and chef who has a great deal of expertise in say, Mongolian food, would have the ability to collaborate with potential customers, investors, advisers, etc. -- anyone at all who is interested in talking about this specific idea. I have chosen a very narrow perspective, but hopefully you can imagine how the ideas incubator would be helpful in fostering growth in a variety of industries. At the time of release, we will invite the public to learn how to use this exciting new tool. John Wellens is a New E-conomies Cluster member.
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