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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 October 16, 2004 By Colin Atagi, Daily Tribune Staff Business leaders will get a chance to hear just how important science and technology have become to doing business, during an upcoming gathering organized by the Community Progress Initiative. Leon Ostrowski, a business consultant from Plover, will speak to members of the progress initiative's industry cluster groups and anyone else who wants to attend on Oct. 26 at River Cities Bank in Wisconsin Rapids. Ostrowksi plans to discuss ways to build successful businesses, by recognizing the importance of technology, matching the right products with the appropriate markets and prioritizing where resources should be invested. "I want to help these people recognize what are some of the key things you're looking for," said Ostrowski, 63. "You really don't want to spend a lot of your valuable resources, usually money, on something that'll ultimately fail two or three years down the road." A growing technology sector is definitely important to a competitive and prosperous local economy, said J.R. Siewert, co-chairman of the New Economy cluster. It's integral for the community to bring in individuals who understand today's technology and how to utilize it to benefit local businesses, he said. "I think that needs to be our focus - that we have a community that attracts individuals that have skills and abilities and that type of talent," Siewert said. "Those things are a part of them." Ostrowski's presentation will compliment the goals of the industry cluster groups, said Connie Loden, executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance. "Leon is basically scheduled, because at this point in the industry cluster development, (members are) looking at how they can take those ideas, or what ideas surface from (their research), and how to make it reality," she said. Ostrowski has 35 years of experience in developing new businesses and improving business success. He's currently working with other counties to establish the Angel Investors Network, a program intended to find people willing to invest in communities and identify opportunities for growth. Ostrowski's visit is part of the Community Progress Initiative's New Ideas speaker series. Previous visits have been held at the Wisconsin Rapids Performing Arts Center, but Ostrowski's subject will be geared toward a more specific audience, so a large crowd isn't expected, Loden said. Subjects of the New Speaker Series are scheduled according to what organizers feel are important as the Community Progress Initiative continues, Loden said. You can reach Colin Atagi at 422-6728 or at catagi@wisconsinrapidstribune.com.
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