Hosted by TC Pursuit Services in partnership with MadREP
Date: Monday 02/07/22 from 12-1pm CST or 5-6pm CST
Details: TC Pursuit Services will send over a zoom invite for the Virtual Office Hours on Sunday 02/06/22.
Based on demand, TC Pursuit Services can open up additional dates and times if requested.
Agenda: MadREP will begin the discussion with a regional economic overview and after, TC Pursuit Services will open the floor to any questions from the Community.
Last week, The Brookings Institution published “Improving quality of life—not just business—is the best path to Midwestern rejuvenation” on The Avenue, their Metropolitan Policy Program blog.
Authors John C. Austin, Amanda Weinstein, Michael Hicks, and Emily Wornell tell the story of “today’s reality of two Midwests.” One is vibrant and rebounding headfirst into “global knowledge economy” while the other is languishing and struggling to attract or retain employers.
New data published by the authors suggests quality of place investments may contribute more to building a healthy local economy than traditional investments to create a favorable business climate.
Their analysis of Midwestern communities revealed several smaller communities “well positioned for new growth.” Topping the list were Whitewater, Wisconsin, Celina, Ohio and Brainerd, Minnesota. The three specifically ranked among the top small Midwest towns for quality of life associated with higher population, employment growth, housing premium and wage premium (meaning residents were willing to pay higher prices and accept lower wages).
Whitewater, Wisconsin sits at the edge of the Madison Region, straddling Jefferson and Walworth Counties. According to Emsi, the Whitewater MSA’s population grew by 1,445 over the last 5 years and is projected to grow by 1,024 over the next 5 years while adding 2,779 new jobs. In 2020, the top three industries were Restaurants and Other Eating Places, Education and Hospitals (Local Government), and Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals.
The community is home to breweries, distilleries, theaters, and year-round hiking trails along scenic lakes, as well as the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the school’s online degree programs among the best in the nation for 2022.
“Congratulations to our partners in Whitewater and Jefferson County! It’s great to see your hard work recognized by an organization like Brookings,” said MadREP CEO Jason M. Fields. “I, and my team, are looking forward to continuing to work together on the next phase of Whitewater’s chart-topping growth.”
The Madison Region Economic Partnership launched its MadREP Broadband Speed Test initiative and in coordination with the Columbia County Economic Development Corporation will test internet speeds at madisonregion.org/broadband.
The tool will show participants what their current internet speeds are while collecting necessary data for the Madison Region to pursue better broadband infrastructure in the areas identified as underserved. Residents are encouraged to complete speed tests at home and at work.
“The more data collected on the actual speeds across the county the more proof for funding assistance to improve access,” said Cheryl Fahrner, executive director, CCEDC.
Check out MadREP Board Treasurer Julia Arata-Fratta in Brava Magazine’s piece catching up with their last decade of “Women to Watch.” Brava Julia!
What she was doing then: As the president of the board of directors for the Latino Chamber of Commerce, Arata-Fratta was working to bolster new and existing Latin-run businesses.
What she’s up to now: In 2015, Arata-Fratta left the Latino Chamber and was elected to the Fitchburg City Council, where she is currently serving her fourth term as District 2 alder. In 2020, she became president of the council. (Her day job is with Wegner CPAs.) She is also the board treasurer for the Overture Foundation and the Madison Region Economic Partnership.
What are you most proud of? “I am very proud of being the first Latina to be elected in the City of Fitchburg and of my public service commitment to Fitchburg residents,” says Arata-Fratta.
Madison, WI – The Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) today announced its partnership with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) on an exciting new program to support regional businesses and nonprofits. Those considering moving into a vacant Wisconsin commercial space may be eligible for a $10,000 Wisconsin Tomorrow – Main Street Bounceback Grant through a newly created program.
According to MadREP President & CEO Jason M. Fields, “this tool will allow us to support communities throughout the Madison Region to restore business activity to their commercial centers. I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to our partners , especially Secretary Hughes and Governor Evers, for bringing MadREP to the table on this initiative. We’re honored the State of Wisconsin is trusting MadREP to administer $4 million of this exceptional program.”
“These grants are designed to give entrepreneurs a helping hand in establishing their physical storefronts and reward small business owners for investing in empty commercial properties across the state,” said Missy Hughes, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) secretary and CEO. “The businesses that move into these spaces become integral parts of our communities, offering not only goods and services but spaces to gather and celebrate.”
In April, Governor Tony Evers announced the state would dedicate $50 million toward helping small business owners open physical locations and helping communities fill vacant storefronts. The funds for the Wisconsin Tomorrow – Main Street Bounceback Grant Program come from the state’s share of federal American Recovery Plan Act aid.
To be eligible, businesses or nonprofits must have moved into a vacant commercial space in Wisconsin on or after January 1, 2021 or be moving into a vacant commercial space in Wisconsin. The business or nonprofit must not be closing another Wisconsin location in order to make this move.
The grant funding can be used for rent or mortgage payments, operating expenses, building repairs and improvements, and more.
Businesses or nonprofits that would use the new location for storage, to hold for investment purposes or to rent out as residential housing are not eligible. National and regional chains are also ineligible unless owned by an independent franchisee.
WEDC is working with MadREP and eight other regional economic development organizations to quickly disburse grant funding to eligible businesses and nonprofits in all of the state’s 72 counties. Applications open on Aug. 9 and the program runs through June 30, 2022. Businesses and nonprofits interested in learning more about the grants should go to: wedc.org/mainstreet-bounceback.
Interested individuals who fill out the online form on the site will automatically be directed to the regional partner disbursing grants in their area for more information and next steps.
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