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w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m regional roundup McMahon UPFRONT Kleman also says manufacturing accounts for 27 percent of total employment and 36 percent of total payroll in Winnebago County. But IT was the number one priority, surprising both consulting companies as well as their client, Ward says. "One of the goals is to create sustainable high-wage jobs, and what we've seen in Oshkosh is a rapidly growing IT center," Kleman says. At least four local IT companies have grown tremendously over the years, including ImproMed, Oracular, Dealer Fire and Accu-Com Security Services. "We also believe the presence of UW-Oshkosh, their student base and their degree programs, will help to drive the growth of that sector in the region," Mathews says. This leads into talent-based strategies in which it is recommended that Oshkosh focuses on nurturing those being educated in the area for job creation and expansion by recruiting, retaining and developing the workforce. Ward says the extent to which there are IT skills, companies and operations embedded in the Oshkosh/Winnebago County area gave talent strategies a high position. "Almost every single one of their recommendations requires a skilled, talented workforce to be successful," Kleman says. "That was why the group … said we needed to develop a separate group to focus on developing our workforce, whether it's training and upgrading skills of current employees or taking dislocated workers and upgrading their skills." The other top priority areas, such as aviation and focusing on secondstage companies – which are emerging companies that employ nine to 100 people – are equally as important. Kleman says even the areas not selected as top priorities are still being implemented. "The key is that all the various partners that have individual work programs collectively work together … to implement these strategies," he says. "We are in this together." Development in the New North By Felicia Clark For links to economic development groups in the New North, visit www.thenewnorth.com/communitiesmap » Highway 41 Corridor Brown, Calumet, Outagamie, Winnebago, Fond du Lac Counties One Company. Countless Solutions. Fox Cities companies building "Well City" The annual Fox Cities Well Workplace awards ceremony will take place at Lawrence University on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Warch Campus Center. An announcement will be made about the Fox Cities "Well City USA," which means 20 percent of a community's working population is employed by 20 Well Workplace award-winning organizations. Lawrence University was one of several Fox Cities organizations and companies awarded a Gold Well Workplace award from the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) and the Wellness Council of Wisconsin for its commitment to health and well-being. Petersen Dairy Farm shares sustainable ideas The Petersen Dairy Farm in Appleton was featured in a video about sustainable farming produced by the World Wildlife Fund and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. "When I think of sustainable, I think of a chair that's got three legs on it, you know? One leg that's financial, one that's environmental, and one leg would be community," says Mark [continued] » 920.751.4200 \ www.mcmgrp.com The financial future of your company depends on decisions you make today "Guident has done an excellent job in helping businesses succeed beyond their expectations and capabilities." J.H. — V . Commercial Banking .P First National Bank-Fox Valley 920.427.5077 www.guidentbusiness.com O c t o b e r 2 013 • Insight | 11