Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/997721
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 l y 2 0 1 8 • I NSIGH T | 19 FOND DU LAC & TRI-COUNTY MARINETTE FLORENCE OCONTO MENOMINEE SHAWANO WAUPACA OUTAGAMIE BROWN WINNEBAGO KEWAUNEE DOOR MANITOWOC CALUMET WAUSHARA MARQUETTE GREEN LAKE FOND DU LAC SHEBOYGAN Continued Tri-County job growth Bill Wheeler, executive director of the Tri-County Regional Economic Development Corp., says Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara counties remain economically healthy, with some businesses expanding. During a 10-year span from 2005 to 2015, Wheeler says 2,000 jobs were created in manufacturing and health care in the area. More job growth is expected, Wheeler says, with Mayville Engineering Co. in Waushara County looking to add another 200 positions and Brakebush Brothers, a value-added chicken processor in Marquette County, planning to add 200 employees to its current 1,000-worker roster. e company recently completed a multimillion-dollar expansion. Business is not the only growth happening in the area. Wheeler says tourism also is increasing thanks, in part, to the many campgrounds expanding their number of campsites to hold more visitors. Workforce wanted With the unemployment rate in the Tri-County Region and Fond du Lac County at an all-time low, companies like Mercury and Brakebush are struggling to find skilled workers, Wheeler says. "e first thing that comes out of anybody's mouth out there is, 'If I could only find employees, I could expand,'" he says. Wheeler says the lack of housing opportunities over the past decade contributes to the workforce shortage. "When you hire people living 40 to 50 miles away who can't find housing in the area, they then might not take the job," he says. Marquette County is taking the lead on addressing this issue by sending out requests for proposal for developers to start building multifamily homes. Green Lake and Waushara counties are expected to follow suit in the future, Wheeler says. "Our three rural counties have been, historically, a tough environment to try to grow in," he says. "But whatever we can do to help that along, that's our job." To help address Fond du Lac County's worker shortage, Harry says Envision is partnering with IGNITE! Business Success to provide a comprehensive, five- year, talent-led economic development blueprint to ensure pressing business needs are being met. "In terms of strategy, we're really looking forward to tackling the economic development initiative moving forward from that talent-led perspective," Harry says. "We're going to do what we can with our resources to make a difference for our employers." Your business deserves first-rate facilities. You deserve a partner ready to make that happen. Visit us at hoffman.net As a business owner, you want the best for your company. The best opportunities. The best employees. The best facilities. Hoffman can help you create the ideal workspace for your company to grow and thrive. Insist on the best Proud Recipient of the 2018 Corporate Citizen Leadership Award