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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 J u n e 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 11 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 Port of plenty Prosperity is more than another passing ship at the Port of Green Bay — it's an economic driver. As businesses have found growth and opportunity in developing markets for imports and exports, the economic value of the ports those goods pass through has also increased. Green Bay is no exception, with operations there delivering more than $88 million in economic impact and supporting more than 800 jobs, according to a national study. Overall, the study found the economic impact of U.S. seaports, including the Port of Green Bay, increased by 43 percent since the past National Economic Impact of the U.S. Coastal Port System report was issued in 2007. Ports across the country contribute $4.6 trillion to the national economy. "Both the new impressive national numbers and the Port of Green Bay's local contributions show that ports generate huge economic impact and jobs," says Dean Haen, director of Brown County Port & Resource Recovery. "It also shows how important it is that investment in our ports and landside transportation infrastructure be a high priority so that the U.S. can remain a global competitor, providing these positive impacts for generations to come." e latest report was released at the American Association of Port Authorities' 2015 Spring Conference. In addition to overall economic impact, the report found that since 2007: » Jobs generated by port-related activity jumped 74 percent to 23.1 million » Federal, state and local tax revenues generated by port-sector and importer/exporter revenues rose 51 percent to $321.1 billion » Personal wages and local consumption related to the port sector increased from $649 billion to $1.1 trillion, with the average annual salary of those directly employed by port- related businesses equating to $53,723 e Port of Green Bay has seen steady increases in traffic and cargo the past several years and has 15 active operators. The power of numbers e developers of RiverHeath have taken a creative approach to building what could be Appleton's newest live music venue. In the first effort of its kind in Wisconsin, developers of the proposed Timber Mill eater launched a 30- day crowdfunding effort to finance the facilities construction by hosting — what else? — a pop-up concert featuring Haley Clinkhammer. e concert marked the start of the 30-day timeframe to raise $2 million toward the project's $3 million cost. Private investors have already contributed $1 million to the project. Prior to this year, Wisconsin businesses were prohibited from crowdfunding by state law. In 2014, the state legislature passed Act 52, which allows Wisconsin companies to raise up to $2 million from state residents by crowdfunding. For Timber Mill, participants have two options: Anyone in the U.S. can join the Founder's Lounge for $500, while Wisconsin residents also can join the Founder's Lounge or choose to make a $1,000 investment in the debt. Timber Mill eater is planned as a state-of-the-art, mid-sized live performance venue located in the RiverHeath neighborhood along the Fox River, developed by Mark Geall of Tanesay Development. "e Timber Mill eater will serve as a complement to what Appleton already has — a vibrant art and music culture," Geall says. "is space is like a blank canvas for the Fox Cities. It can be used as a meeting place for music and art enthusiasts to socialize, listen to music or enjoy a show. As a venue invested in by members [continued ] » Haley Clinkhammer performs at a pop- up concert to promote the crowdfunding campaign for the Timber Mill Theater. Thanks to changes in state law, Wisconsin companies can now crowdsource up to $2 million. The venue is planned as part of the RiverHeath development. C O U R T E S Y O F D E N I Z C A K M A K