A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     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 August 21, 2004 By Antoinette Rahn, Daily Tribune Staff A year ago, Wisconsin Rapids was a much different-looking place. Stora Enso North America announced last August that it would eliminate about 490 jobs in central Wisconsin by mid-2005. Since that time, nearly half a dozen new business or remodeling projects have taken shape on Eighth Street. This summer, Advance Auto Parts, Sleep Inn and Pizza Hut Italian Bistro are joining the neighborhood, while Wood County National Bank is being remodeled. And programs such as the Community Progress Initiative, which seeks to rejuvenate community spirit and the economy, have become active efforts. "Certainly if you drive out on Eighth Street right now, with all the construction development occurring, we can see growth, but it's not the only place," said Connie Loden, executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance. "I'd say we've seen it be stronger on the retail area of business, but we have people coming in about all types of businesses." The Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance has had 93 contacts with people seeking to start or expand a business, buy property or facilities or attain business grants so far this year. There were 240 of those contacts in 2003. Some businesses, like Stars & Stripes Cafe, 2220 Eighth St. S. have seen a decline in sales in the past year. "We definitely had a stronger summer last summer, but we're hanging in this year," said owner Penny Estok, who formerly owned the Corn Dog Factory and Pens Kitchen. About the same time Estok opened her cafe, which features home-made soups, desserts and daily specials, four other restaurants also opened. Of the four, both Rosewood Supper Club and Rapids Country Buffet have new owners, while Danny's Dog House has been closed all summer for renovations. "As the summer has gone on, I think things in the community are turning around," Estok said. "Even though (people) aren't spending as much as last year, I think it's starting to increase." The local and state employment pictures are improving, according to numbers released by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The preliminary state unemployment rate for July, released Wednesday, is 4.6 percent, an improvement from June's rate of 5.1 percent. The unemployment rate in July 2003 was 5.7 percent. Wood County's unemployment rates for July will be available at the end of August. In June, the county had a labor force of 42,793, and the county had an unemployment rate of 5.7 percent, a decline from the 6 percent unemployment rate the previous year. But despite a gain of 12,000 manufacturing jobs in the past year, there are more than 147,000 workers in Wisconsin without jobs, according to the Department of Workforce Development. People's attitudes will likely influence how they perceive the community's well-being, said Peg Garber, a Wisconsin Rapids resident since 1972. "I have a very positive attitude and outlook on life, and I think perception really depends on the attitude of the person," Garber said. "The younger people here, I think, have some insecurities about things as they're trying to make a life here and raise families. I think many of the older people are satisfied with where life is at." The community's natural leaders, volunteers and the Community Progress Initiative are helping the community form a progressive attitude, Garber said. "All of these different things are very positive and things that are making people sit back and realize that we aren't a negative and dying community," she said. You can reach Antoinette Rahn at 422-6726 or arahn@wisconsinrapidstribune.com
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