Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/76892
a micro-region just focused on Outagamie and Calumet counties and the northern part of Winnebago. You need to have both to be successful, Inc., says economic development happens on multiple levels and all are integral to overall success. When meeting with investors who question why they need to give to the New North and their local chamber, he uses a telescope analogy showing how economic development expands and contracts fluently over time. The state provides resources and overall strategy, regional groups like New North provide additional programs while the local level helps close out the "transaction" – when a business decides to make an investment, whether it's in a new facility, technology or additional staff. "When we go into businesses, they say 'you're all saying has put a lot of effort in growing the marine and defense clusters since they are strong players across the region. In the Fox Cities, those busineses play a smaller role while other industry clusters, such as high-value business services and food processing, play a much larger role. Jerry Murphy, executive director of New North, She also points out their differences. New North " she says. ONLINE: Click to see a video of Shannon Full discussing the importance of a well-funded, robust business attraction and retention campaign. that regions like the New North can do that local communities can't. "Look at Wisconsin Wind Works – that is something that can only be done on a regional level, suppliers and resources to get it done. We all need to work together. the same thing' about economic development and my response is that it would be dysfunctional if we weren't, Murphy says. "We're all working in concert together." For example, he says there are some initiatives Industry spotlight I gnite Fox Cities is focusing attention on four key industry segments as it moves forward: » High-value business services » Transportation equipment manufacturing » Innovative technologies » Food processing The area will focus its marketing efforts in these areas, much like the New North, Inc. focuses its marketing efforts on the defense and maritime clusters. The initiative is also divided into three main areas: » Igniting Business Growth, which covers headquarters recruitment and existing industry retention and expansion » Igniting Our Brand, which includes regional marketing and branding campaigns and promotions » Igniting Our Community, which includes creation of a Center for Business and Economic Research, community benchmarking, working on shovel-ready sites, economic process development building and community lead initiatives for economic development success 26 | INSIGHT • Augus t 2012 " As she goes out trying to raise funds for the new initiative, Full says communication and transparency will play an integral role. Each investor will be invited to participate in a quarterly session where outcomes and metrics will be shared about what Ignite Fox Cities is doing. "There are two things that will make or break That's something Full completely agrees with. us. One is having a very clear communications plan with our investors and the other piece is having solid metrics," Full says. "We need solid metrics that show where we are, where we are tracking, what our uncontrollables are and other areas." When Garner Economics shared its report last " Murphy says. "No one community has that many " November, few people were surprised at the results. It talked about the area's strengths – strong workforce, high quality of life and good schools – as well as its weaknesses – high level of unionization compared to other areas, average wage increase lower than national average in the past 10 years and a lower level of entrepreneurism compared to the national average. As part of the growth strategy, Full says it's key to Kennedy agrees. "A big part of success in economic development is keeping what you have," she says. "Our " she says. goal is to help businesses expand and to have the Fox Cities be top of mind as they grow. " www.insightonbusiness .com form and leverage relationships with companies already in the Fox Cities. "We need to find out what their challenges are and try to help them, for example with funding,