Heart of Wisconsin
Business & Economic Alliance and
Community Foundation of
South Wood County
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A Joint Initiative Between Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County |
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Breaking News May 17, 2006 - Do you know what this town needs? For Immediate Release Contact: Melissa Loken, Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance 715-422-4856, biz@heartofwi.com John Gethers, Power Computing Solutions, Inc. 715-424-8300, John.Gethers@Powercomputingsolutions.com Wisconsin Rapids, WI, May 17, 2006 … An innovative new way to help create business start-ups was unveiled on Tuesday, May 16: the Ideas Incubator, www.ideasincubator.org, an invention of the New e-Conomies Industry Cluster of the Community Progress Initiative. While enjoying dinner or a drive with friends, have you ever said, “Do you know what this town needs?” or “I’d like to be my own boss someday.” Almost everyone has ideas about a business, product, or service they would like to have nearby, and we all get that desire from time to time to own our own small business. Some of the best business ideas come from casual conversations about needs and wants. (Just think of the successful businesses that have prompted you to say, “Why didn’t I think of that!”) Now there’s a place you can go to submit ideas for others, or to get ideas and resources for yourself – it’s called the Ideas Incubator, www.ideasincubator.org. “The Ideas Incubator is a way for business people to present ideas or suggestions for new businesses to each other and communicate about the possibility of implementing the ideas,” said Melissa Loken, Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance business development specialist. "You could say it operates a bit like an online dating service, but it’s actually an online Web site for entrepreneurs and others with business ideas.” ”Created by a Community Progress Initiative industry cluster, the Web site is a unique location that will allow users to submit business ideas, track them if registered, and use a message board to discuss problems or bounce ideas off each other,” said its designer and builder, John Gethers of Power Computing Solutions Inc., Wisconsin Rapids. "It's really a wonderful concept and easy for anyone to use," Gethers said. “By suggesting an idea for a local business through the site, entrepreneurs or anyone interested in a new business can discuss or receive feedback on any aspect of the idea’s development. For example, a prospective businessperson could get an idea of business start-up costs from people who have been there. We need networking in the area, and this is one tool available to anyone with a computer.” “Start here at the Ideas Incubator, and see what develops!” said Loken. The Community Progress Initiative is about making our local community stronger and better for the future by addressing what’s needed today. The Progress Initiative, which began in April 2004 for southern Wood County and the town of Rome, is using proven tools for community development such as: • It’s inclusive, inviting all residents of any age, income, and affiliation. • It’s collaborative, inviting all businesses and residents into industry cluster groups and community progress teams. • It’s supportive, providing leadership training, entrepreneur training, and financial resources. • It’s innovative, garnering national attention for its broad-based approach to solve the problems that face many rural areas. The Community Progress Initiative aims to create vibrant communities with prosperous local economies. Partial funding for the Ideas Incubator is provided by: • Wisconsin Department of Commerce through a Community Based Economic Development Grant, and • Community Foundation of South Wood County Community Progress Initiative is supported with partial financing from: • Barker Mead Fund through Community Foundation of South Wood County • Ford Foundation • Stora Enso • United States Department of Agriculture • Wis. Dept. of Commerce – federal Community Development Grant funds Click here to visit www.ideasincubator.org today! |
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