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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 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 14 • I NSIGH T | 13 slowed the pace of new wind projects. Recent developments in bio fuels and solar have resulted in new interest in those renewable technologies as well, says Ann Duginske, director of marketing and development for New North. Some of the components manufactured for the wind industry could easily be transferred to other sectors. e ability of area manufacturers to design and fabricate new components for a wide variety of applications also make the move a logical next step, Duginske says. "is is a chance for us to diversify across several markets and respond to changing conditions," Duginske says. "We know that energy will always be an important industry for our companies." For example, while new wind projects went through a slowdown, the production of natural gas increased from about 18 billion cubic feet to more than 24 billion cubic feet and continues its uptick, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Knowing there are likely many companies already involved in various facets of the energy industry, the development of Wisconsin Energy Works will draw on the framework and lessons learned from Wind Works to raise awareness of the supply chain that already exists in the area. During the next year, New North will highlight and market those supply clusters, as well as build out a comprehensive directory similar to the one created for Wind Works. Wisconsin Energy Works will serve as an umbrella for a variety of supply chains serving different segments of the energy industry. ere is expected to be plenty of overlap. e new branding will also change the marketing approach as the consortium expands its presence at events such as Power-Gen International, an industry conference attended by more than 20,000 industry professionals representing 98 countries. REGIONAL ROUNDUP U P F R O N T For links to economic development groups in the New North, visit www.thenewnorth.com/partners Development in the New North B y S e a n P. J o h n s o n » HIGHWAY 41 CORRIDOR Brown, Calumet, Outagamie, Winnebago, Fond du Lac Counties Aviation cluster efforts gaining altitude Northeast Wisconsin as an aviation industry hub is no longer a flight of fancy. e Experimental Aircra Association and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh attract thousands of aviation enthusiasts to the region each year. But outside a scattering of well-known companies involved in airplane conversions, and Fox Valley Technical College's aviation courses, Northeast Wisconsin may not be perceived as much of a player in the wider industry. "I think people would be surprised to learn that we already have more than 140 suppliers to the aviation industry within three hours (drive)," says Meredith Jaeger, director and co-founder of AeroInnovate, an Oshkosh-based organization dedicated to growing the aviation industry in the region. "We have companies that already do the specialized engineering and create precision parts. It's where the airplane starts." Because aircra aren't assembled here, the region does not have the visibility of places like Wichita, Kan., or Seattle. Still, the efforts of AeroInnovate and others to promote the region as an aviation hub have accelerated the past several months. D'Shannon Aviation, an engine overhaul business, recently announced plans to relocate to Oshkosh, while a Department of Defense Economic Assistance Grant, given to the region to cope with the economic fallout of cutbacks at Oshkosh Corp., will help identify and map out aviation- related supply clusters that can then be marketed to the industry as a whole. Plus, the new aviation business park adjacent to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh was set to break ground this month. Work on the infrastructure will start this fall, and sites are expected to be available by November 2015, Jaeger says. Given the region's experience in defense contracting, Jaeger also expects the supply chain study to yield some surprising and positive results. "We are already supplying the marine and defense industries," she says. "We have the expertise. We need to do some market development." Some of that expertise is already on display at Plexus' Aerospace & Defense Center of Excellence in Neenah. e $50 million, 410,000-square- foot facility opened less than a year ago and provides custom electronic manufacturing and engineering services for the defense and aerospace industries. "e term 'rust belt' is used too oen to describe manufacturing in this region," says Marion Blakey, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, who visited the manufacturing facility during EAA AirVenture 2014. "ese [continued ] » Marion Blakey speaks to Plexus employ- ees at the Plexus Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing Center of Excellence. The facility supplies electrical components and engineering expertise to the defense and aerospace industry.