A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     South Wood County

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 April 22, 2004 - Industry Clusters and Entrepreneurial Offerings are Cornerstone of Community Progress Initiative Business Focus The Community Progress Initiative, a three-year collaborative project to build a business- and investor-friendly environment for South Wood County and the Town of Rome, is rooted in research and motivated by inspirational case studies from throughout the world. Locally lead by the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County, this joint initiative to engage the region in extraordinary change will launch in less than two weeks. Community members of all ages are invited and encouraged to attend the Community Progress Initiative launch on Thursday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m. in Centralia Center, located adjacent to Rapids Mall. Light refreshments will be offered. “It is known that in this increasingly competitive and mobile world, communities with a business-friendly culture continually attract successful businesses and new start-ups,” states Connie Loden, executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance. Through the Community Progress Initiative, innovative programs to provide technical assistance and a link to investment capital for start-up businesses, to encourage the expansion of existing businesses, and to proactively develop a diverse and dynamic business base for the region have been designed for participation following the April 22 unveiling. The lead program of the Community Progress Initiative’s business focus is the development of industry cluster networks. With an emphasis on entrepreneurs and business expansions, the industry clusters’ charge will be to research existing industry segments, such as agriculture or retail, and identify local opportunities. The industry clusters will also examine key issues and possible impediments of emerging and existing industries. “These strategic think tanks, which include the most innovative and creative minds of our region, will be instrumental in shaping new vision for this area’s business community,” explains Loden. As the industry clusters identify new opportunities for existing and emerging industries, additional action steps for business growth will be designed. Half a dozen very specific offerings are immediately available to area entrepreneurs including boot camps, an Angel Investor Network, a loan fund program, technical support, and ‘E’ Teams Mentoring Groups. Attendees at the April 22 public launch will receive further details on each of these new program components. “We recognize that start-up business owners often struggle with not only understanding the basic principles of creating and managing a new business, but also finding the resources and professional network to sustain a successful business,” comments Loden. “It is our goal through this joint initiative to recognize the innovative passions of fellow community members and nurture those passions.” Success of community economic development is also dependent on nurturing positive attitudes among community members. “In addition to cultivating a strong partnership between the private and public sectors, possessing a positive attitude at all encounters speaks favorably to a community’s spirit and culture,” adds Mary Jo Carson, facility coordinator of Centralia Center and former area development manager of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. “So often potential employers visit our community to consider relocation or expansion. In these visits they are assessing far more than the business climate. They are also assessing the community spirit and their employees’ access to quality of life,” Carson adds. “Every chance encounter is an opportunity to present a positive attitude and demonstrate why our region is the best option for business location.” In addition to the vast offerings for start-up and expanding businesses, this region could soon be home to a new incubator facility through the Community Progress Initiative. “We are currently exploring the feasibility of an incubator facility to help grow start-up businesses,” Loden reveals. To learn more about the Community Progress Initiative, attend the public unveiling on Thursday, April 12. Or, contact the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance at 715.423.1830 or Community Foundation of South Wood County at 715.423.363.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome