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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 13, 2006 - Time to talk about the local economy Wiscosnin Rapids Daily Tribune Editorial Everyone's looking for a sign. Is the economy getting better? Has Wisconsin Rapids and south Wood County turned a corner? Will this community thrive in the future, or is it slowly fading away? The messages that could lead to an answer often conflict. Tales of expansion and new businesses grab attention and produce smiles. But then there are the layoffs, and the "for sale" signs hanging in previously occupied buildings. Want a positive sign? How about the one that will say something like "Ocean Spray Crasins Plant?" The company plans to add 50 production jobs with the potential for 50 more when it builds a $50 million facility in Wisconsin Rapids. In addition, Ocean Spray plans to buy 33 acres in the West Side Industrial Park that could be used for future expansion, and the company will move an unspecified number of human resources and maintenance employees to the community, making it the state headquarters for several Ocean Spray departments. Board Chairman Francis Podvin, who happens to work in Wisconsin Rapids, said Ocean Spray is demonstrating a commitment to the city. "I think it sends a strong message that we intend to be here for a long time," he said. That's a good -- make that a great -- development. So is the faith retailers like The Home Depot have shown in local shoppers. The people involved with the Community Progress Initiative have labored to build optimism in this area. They know that perception can be a key component of economic recovery. People who feel secure in their jobs are more likely to open up their wallets and purses. The more they spend, the more they catch retailers' attention and drive demand for real estate. The availability of various shops, stores and restaurants can improve quality of life, making it more likely people are going to choose to live in a community. Finally, employers need to attract qualified workers, so they often will build in places where people want to live. Perhaps that's an overly simplistic explanation. But it's undeniable that perception can have a potent effect on development. So the question is: How do local residents feel about the local economy? Are you better off now than you were three years ago? Are you confident the situation will improve in the future? What more should be done?
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