Plan for the Future of Your Community and Green County Oct. 2 in Monroe

by | Sep 7, 2018 | News

Community members, civic leaders and people who care about Green County are invited to share their views on community and economic development as we plan for the future of our county and our region.

Please join the conversation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2 in the multipurpose rooms located in the lower level of the Green County Justice Center in Monroe. Lunch will be provided. Together we will develop a list of projects to be accomplished over these five years, as well as identify funding sources, a lead person or agency, and a tentative schedule in the plan.

Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWWRPC) is seeking the community’s input to gain insight into community and economic development issues that are best supported with regional partners. SWWRPC will analyze data to draft a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The commission receives federal and local funding to conduct this work that includes a series of outreach meetings, held throughout the region, to identify the region’s key economic opportunities and issues, and develop strategies for building on these.

The CEDS is a regional document used as a five-year work plan for  SWWRPC and other regional economic and community development partners. Meetings like this will help ensure that local and regional efforts are coordinated and communicated. The document will include county-level chapters that can be used by each county specifically – as well as local data and local goals/strategies per county.

Past CEDS documents and other resources are available here.

Attendees are asked to RSVP so there’s an accurate headcount for lunch; please email the Green County Development Corporation at [email protected] or call 608-328-9452 by Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Entrepreneurial Training Program Slated to Begin in Monroe in September

by | Aug 28, 2018 | Programs

  • Start Date: 09/18/2018

View the brochure

Ensure your chance at success by taking 8-week course

MONROE – Want to stack the odds in your favor as you begin or grow your business venture? Plan now to attend the fall Entrepreneurial Training Program, an 8-week course that greatly increases the success rate of participants.

The program, which meets weekly on Tuesday evenings, will cover a wide range of important subject areas. Planned topics include Developing Your Business Model; Getting to Know Your Customer Segment; Understanding Your Industry and Market; Legal Issues in Small Business; Marketing Basics; Human Resources Management; Business Management; Accounting and Record-Keeping; and Obtaining a Bank Loan and Alternative Financing.

Business consultants from the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will lead the training sessions. In addition, area professionals in banking, accounting, law, marketing and other fields will be brought in to share their expertise.

The knowledge gained in the program helps empower entrepreneurs to make smart decisions for their business. Regional statistics show almost 100 percent of those who take entrepreneurial training are still in business after two years – a significant increase from the expected 70 percent. Statewide, 20% of clients using SBDC consulting services start businesses, while 40% of those receiving entrepreneurial training start businesses.

By the end of the eight weeks, participants will have created high-quality business plan suitable for lender presentations under the guidance of SBDC business consultants. They will have also gained valuable networking opportunities with presenters and classmates.

The class meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, from Sept. 18 to Nov. 6. All sessions will be held at the Enterprise Center, 210 4th Ave., Monroe. Attendees may enter through the north door of Blackhawk Technical College, across from Alp & Dell Cheese Store. A graduation ceremony is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Tuition reimbursement is available for qualifying participants. Class members are required to pay a $250 cash match towards the cost of the program, which is $1,000. They can then apply for a $750 tuition reimbursement through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation after completing specific course requirements, including the business plan. The business plan will be worked on during  the training program, so little will be left to do by the time the eight weeks are over.

The Entrepreneurial Training Program is co-sponsored by the Green County Development Corporation (GCDC), SBDC, SBA, and Blackhawk Technical College with support from Colony Brands, Duxstad & Bestul and the William S. Knight Foundation. To register, call GCDC at (608) 328-9452 or email [email protected].

GCDC Finalist at Mid-America Economic Development Council 2017 Annual Economic Development Awards

by | Jan 26, 2018 | News

The Mid-America Economic Development Council presented its annual Economic Development awards at the 2017 Mid-America Competitiveness Conference & Site Selector Forum, held December 3-5 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago. 

Green County Development Corporation was selected as a finalist for the 2017 Small Division Annual Report Award and the winner of the category was Madison Region Economic Development Guide & Annual Report, Madison WI.

The Annual Report category represents a regularly published document that addresses economic development issues and/or informs readers of an organization’s activities.

The Mid-America Economic Development Council is a multi-state association dedicated to being the leading resource for education, making connections, and sharing best practices for economic development professionals.