Investor Spotlight – Blackhawk Technical College

by | Aug 21, 2023 | News

GCDC Spotlight

GCDC relies on private investors and public partners to support the mission of growth in Green County. We are excited to spotlight those who invest in the future of Green County.

Blackhawk Technical College –

BTC President, Dr. Tracy Pierner

With the main campus in Janesville, and a second campus in Monroe, Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) serves Rock and Green counties.

Two of the nation’s top laboratory technician programs are available at BTC’s Monroe Campus. The Medical Laboratory Technician and the Laboratory Food Science Technician programs boast exceptional faculty, state-of-art technology, excellent careers, and nearly 100% placement rates for our graduates.

Enrollment at BTC grew significantly in 2023 (nearly 15%) with summer enrollment increases more than 30%. These increases are fueled by flexible options that fit student’s needs, the addition of new fully transferrable 2-year Associate of Arts and Science degrees to local four-year Universities, and enhanced student support available to help student’s reach their goals.

The College is a leader in education that is needed in our community’s workforce and provides local access to world class education at all post-secondary levels. Local employers are participating more aggressively in apprenticeship programs, internships, and other incumbent worker training initiatives such as providing scholarships, purchasing contract training and sending employees to continuing education and credit courses at Blackhawk.

Blackhawk Technical College is committed to the Monroe Campus and Green County community and works with our education and workforce partners to create new opportunities to further the College’s mission: “We help you build your future with a flexible education in a supportive environment”.

What strengths do you see in Green County? Green County offers close proximity to numerous metropolitan areas without the congestion of more urban areas. It has a distinct rural charm and beauty, while also providing high quality education, healthcare, and strong employment opportunities.

What do you see as opportunities, or must dos, in Green County to carry us forward? Opportunities include expanding partnerships with local High Schools to provide access to BTC programming earlier in a student’s journey, continuing to expand the training offered at the Monroe Campus such as ELL, and technical training, as well as building on the excellent associate degree programs offered in Monroe in Agriculture, Medical Lab Technology and Food Science Technology. We need to ensure the opportunities provided in Green County help propel strong economic development and we establish educational partnerships that create a pro-business environment.

What is your future vision for Green County and for Blackhawk Technical College in Green County? We must position the Monroe campus as a recognized and highly prized community resource. To do this, we must grow the Monroe campus through continued partnerships with area high schools offering dual credit, offering the college’s associate degree programs through MyEdChoice which allows students flexibility to attend classes in person or online, and continued supportive training to area employers to offer the skills and training they need to compete successfully in a global marketplace.

Why did Blackhawk Tech become a partner with GCDC and what would you like to see GCDC do more of, or get involved in? The partnership between economic development, workforce development and education is crucial and has been our focus for over 100 years. It is a symbiotic relationship that creates growth and provides industry with the skills and technology needed by business and industry, and provides higher education institutions with connections to the training and skills employers need to grow and expand. BTC would welcome participation in workforce development and training initiatives with GCDC to create more local training that meets local employers needs.

Services provided by Green County Development Corporation, a 501c3 non-profit organization,

are made possible through a combination of public and private investments.

More spotlights to come, but you can always check out our full list of investors and partners on our webpage at greencountydevelopment.com and click the investors tab

GCDC Fall Breakfast September 21

by | Aug 21, 2023 | Events

Wegmueller Farm – host of GCDC 2023 Fall BreakfastGCDC Breakfast September 21 at Wegmueller Farm

MONROE – The influence of agriculture is apparent in the landscape, education, and economy of Green County. Preserving agricultural roots is important for the viability of future generations living and working here.

To create awareness and conversation, Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) has partnered with Dan and Ashley Wegmueller to hold a fall leader breakfast at the Wegmueller Dairy Farm, W4358 Montgomery Road, Monroe. Farm owner Dan Wegmueller, Wegmueller Farm Dairy Herd Manager Kalee Schaefer, and Blackhawk Technical College agriculture instructor Dusty Williams will provide perspectives on the future of agriculture in Wisconsin.

The breakfast coincides with the start of Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Week and creates a perfect setting for the future of agriculture conversation, as the Wegmuellers created a “farm stay” experience with their family farm to keep it viable. Dan has said, “Opening our doors has done 2 things. It’s brought in a revenue stream that we desperately need to keep the farm going. But it’s also made farming fun again.”

The event will be held Thursday, September 21st from 7:30-9:00AM at Wegmueller Farm, W4358 Montgomery Road, Monroe. A locally sourced, warm breakfast buffet, sponsored by Woodford State Bank, will be provided by Kimmee’s Kitchen of Monroe. After the event optional farm tours will be provided.

This limited seating event requires registration to attend. Register before September 7th at  https://GCDCFallBreakfast0921.eventbrite.com.  Contact GCDC at 608-328-9452, or gcdc@greencountydevelopment.com for questions.

GCDC is a non-profit organization that serves as a bridge between public and private partnerships investing in the economic future of Green County.

Dan & Ashley Wegmueller of Wegmueller Farm and Dairy Stay

Building New Solutions to Community Housing and Workforce Challenges

by | Aug 9, 2023 | Projects

Press Release August 9, 2023

Home Construction Cooperative

Building New Solutions to Community Housing and Workforce Challenges

Cooperation is the key for the Home Construction Cooperative, a program of Green County Development Corporation (GCDC), that addresses housing and workforce issues in our community.

Limited housing options and the lack of skilled trades workers in the area led to the creation of this program. Both SSM Health and Monroe High School became fast partners with GCDC in the program, the goal of which is to teach skills needed in our county and in turn provide a renovated home in a tight market.

Safe, affordable housing is imperative to the health of an individual and for a thriving community, making SSM Health a key player in this project. SSM Health has historically owned homes within Green County to assist new hires and providers with housing until long-term housing is found. As a community partner and supporter of these efforts, SSM Health will be donating one of the homes to the Home Construction Cooperative Program.

“SSM Health is excited to donate this home for the Home Construction Cooperative Project in Monroe,” said Jane Curran-Meuli, President of SSM Health Monroe Hospital and SSM Health Monroe Clinic Medical Group. “This project’s creative approach will address local housing challenges and ultimately help this area to attract and retain prospective employees for local businesses.”

Monroe High School in turn created a new Launch Skilled Building Trades strand with education planning assistance from Blackhawk Technical College.  Over the 2023-2024 school year, students will learn essential safety, building and math skills for use in renovating the home.  A skilled project manager will work with these students to ensure safety and quality work throughout the project.

“We thank GCDC and SSM Health for their visionary leadership. The Home Construction Cooperative will empower our LAUNCH Skilled Building Trades students to develop a wide range of essential skills while making a significant impact on a larger scale. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for our students to learn, grow, and contribute to something greater than themselves,” said MHS Principal Jeriamy Jackson.

By the end of the 2023-2024 school year, the renovated home will be sold by GCDC who will use the proceeds from the sale to reinvest and continue the program the following school year. The intent is to continue the annual cycle and to grow the program throughout the county.

“This is a true community effort,” stated GCDC Executive Director Olivia Otte. “Beyond the incredible donation of a home by SSM Health, many local partners have come forth offering funds to support the Home Construction Cooperative. Others have offered skills, materials, and support in ways we didn’t even consider. We are thrilled to make this program a reality, and to invest in the future of the trades by developing the next generation of industry professionals while also tackling the housing shortage in our county.”

GCDC continues to actively seek support to grow this program and secure future projects. Cash donations are welcome, as are other contributions to support the goals of the program.  Please contact GCDC at 608-328-9452 or email gcdc@greencountydevelopment.com.

 

Green County Development Corporation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization investing in the economic future of Green County.

 

Placemaking in Economic Development

by | Jul 31, 2023 | News

Why is Placemaking a Part of Economic Development?

By Olivia Otte, Executive Director, Green County Development Corporation

One reason I love economic development is because of the diverse projects that I get to work on on a day-to-day basis.  On any given day, I can go from focusing on business recruitment, to grant writing, to talking with elected officials.  Even though I enjoy working on all these different aspects of economic development, one of my favorite elements is placemaking.

Placemaking is something that most people usually don’t associate with economic development, but it plays a crucial role. While definitions can vary, most people define placemaking as the practice of creating or enhancing a community’s assets to improve its overall attractiveness and livability.  This can include larger-scale efforts such as alternative transportation infrastructure, or smaller-scale projects like pop-up shop programs and downtown beautification.  With the workforce shortage, placemaking has only become more important. Companies seek talented workers, these workers look for quality places, and quality places attract new residents, jobs, and investments. Placemaking is no longer something that can be pushed to the side, it is now a major factor in a community’s ability to grow.  Here are several reasons why placemaking is important in economic development:

  1. Attracting businesses and investment: Well-designed and vibrant public spaces help to create a more appealing atmosphere for businesses and investors.  These spaces can help attract skilled workers, retain talent, and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
  2. Improving property values: Attractive public spaces have a positive impact on property values. Placemaking efforts that enhance the overall character and appeal of a neighborhood or city/village can lead to increased demand for real estate, leading to higher property values and potential economic growth.
  3. Encouraging social interaction and community engagement: Placemaking creates opportunities for social interaction, fostering a sense of community and strengthening social ties. These social connections can lead to stronger local networks, increased civic engagement, and support for local businesses.
  4. Revitalizing underutilized areas: Placemaking can breathe new life into neglected or underutilized areas. By transforming vacant lots, abandoned buildings, or rundown areas into attractive and functional spaces, placemaking initiatives can bring economic benefits to these areas by attracting new businesses and residents.

In summary, placemaking is essential for economic development as it helps attract businesses and investment, improves property values, encourages community engagement, and revitalizes underutilized areas. By investing in the creation of appealing and functional public spaces, our communities can drive economic growth and improve the overall quality of life.