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 March 11, 2005 - Progress Initiative draws recognition By Colin Atagi, Daily Tribune Staff Nearly a year ago, community leaders launched the Community Progress Initiative to revitalize the economies of south Wood County and the town of Rome. That effort is drawing national recognition. Two of the initiative's founders, Connie Loden, executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance, and Kelly Lucas, president of the Community Foundation of South Wood County, were chosen to speak at the Small Business Administration's 2005 National Conference in Washington, D.C., this week. "We were invited as one of the 19 best practice examples of the role entrepreneurs play in economic development," said Loden, who thinks their participation reinforces the notion that organizers are on the right track. Through Community Progress Initiative programs like entrepreneurial "boot camps" people have learned what it takes to start a business. And speakers have given motivational or informative presentations to community members. On Thursday, John Powers, a professional speaker and writer, used humor to give a presentation on loving the economy and the workplace. Powers was the latest guest in the New Ideas Speaker Series. Lucas and Loden picked up a few new ideas of their own at the national small business conference. "There are many communities dealing with similar circumstances," Lucas said. "Particularly those that depend on manufacturing. "And to learn what they're doing in their communities that's working. I saw the communities that were successfully moving forward are thinking creatively, and (they're) willing to share and create a new vision, and they're paying close attention to the importance of collaboration." Community Progress Initiative leaders plan to continue focusing on building small businesses. "It was really evident, as we stated before throughout the Progress Initiative, that small business development and job growth is big," Loden said. "About 90 percent of the opportunities for growth are in small business." The next entrepreneurial boot camp is scheduled for April, while the Small Business Industry Cluster Group is working to develop an entrepreneurs club. Updates on each of the Industry Cluster groups will be published in future editions of the Daily Tribune.
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