Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/177117
PLANT|NEWS Harvesting local skills F ox Valley Technical College passed a $66.5 million public referendum by a 2-1 margin in April 2012 that allowed the school to advance several key facility projects to meet employer needs in the New North. The first of the projects completed was the expansion of the Appleton campus's agricultural center, now named the Service Motor Company Agriculture Center. Agriculture training at FVTC spans more than 65 years, but the facility was given a new name in August because of a recent $1.1 million gift from SMC in the form of scholarships, equipment and financial support. SMC, headquartered in Dale with five other dealerships in east central Wisconsin, is a fifth-generation family owned and operated company that specializes in the sales and service of agricultural, construction and lawn and garden equipment. "Great education requires the latest technologies," says Jim Sommer, president of SMC. "Our support of the college exemplifies its vital role in developing a skilled workforce built on efficiency and innovation." Green Bay Area Chamber to Host Annual Dinner Oct. 7 The Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual dinner on Oct. 7 at the KI Convention Center. The event will begin with networking at 5 p.m. Advance, the Chamber's economic development branch, will present its Excellence in Business Award to one business for showing significant growth, innovation and community involvement. Past winners of the award include Ameriprise Auto & The new accord isn't the first between FVTC and SMC. In 2010, SMC and Case IH pledged a 10-year commitment to FVTC through new technologies and equipment. FVTC's agriculture facility expansion includes an additional 2,800 square feet of classroom space and a new horticulture tissue lab, which will accommodate 87 percent enrollment growth in related programs during the past five years. "Service Motor Company's support helps us improve farm management systems in soils, field production, harvesting and more," says Mike Cattelino, an associate dean at FVTC. "Survey data over the past five years reveals that 99 percent of our graduates from agriculture programs earn jobs within six months after graduation. The timing is ideal for these careers." Cari Sabel, agriculture/commercial lender with Calumet County Bank in Sherwood, agrees with Cattelino. "The college is so closely connected to industry, and this is very important in today's economy," says Sabel. "Its dedication to hands-on education is again apparent in the offering of the state's only precision agriculture program, Home Insurance, Ariens Company and MCL Industries, Inc. Ken Schmidt, former director of communications for Harley Davidson Co., will deliver the keynote address "Make some noise: Open the throttle and dominate your marketplace." The dinner costs $55 per person. For more information, visit www. titletown.org. Green Bay ranks No. 26 for manufacturing growth The Green Bay metropolitan co u r t e s y of F V T C Dale company supports FVTC with investment in ag training FVTC's Horticulture Tissue Lab brings more high-tech learning to its expanded and newly-named Service Motor Company Agriculture Center. which is designed to use advanced software and equipment to improve farm efficiency." F statistical area (MSA) is ranked No. 28 in NewGeography.com's overall 2013 rankings of the best cities for job growth. The rankings use four measures of growth to rank all 398 U. S. metro areas in terms of their performance of job growth over the recent, medium and longer-term periods encompassing a 12-year timeframe. Additionally, Green Bay's position improved two spots to No. 26 among the best cities for manufacturing job growth, for the 357 continued > w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m September 2013 • / insight on manufacturing | 35