Jessica Reilly

MadREP Announces Rural/Urban Strategic Initiative

Jessica Reilly · Jun 27, 2023 ·

Bridge Wisconsin will address the necessary interdependence between urban and rural communities for a thriving regional economy.

Bridge Wisconsin Chief Strategy Officer Tonnetta Darcel Carter

Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) is pleased to announce a new initiative, Bridge Wisconsin, launching this fall. Bridge Wisconsin aims to serve as the connection point for the Madison Region, working collaboratively to close the economic gaps and drive innovation for rural and urban communities. This initiative will support five strategic priority areas: Housing, Early Childhood Education, Economic Equity & Investment, Workforce Development, and Sustainability.

“To be successful, economies must acknowledge and leverage the interdependence between their urban and rural assets,” said MadREP CEO Jason M. Fields, CEcD, CFEI, CCRS. “When I joined MadREP two years ago, I identified this as our Region’s most pressing obstacle to achieving the next level of success. To lead the implementation of Bridge Wisconsin, MadREP is excited to welcome our newest team member, Tonnetta Darcel Carter.”

Tonnetta joins MadREP as Chief Strategy Officer of Bridge Wisconsin where she is tasked with developing and executing the strategic vision of the regional initiative and driving innovation across Madison Region and the broader state. “I recognize that our rural and urban counties are ripe for development, innovation, and expansion, and Bridge Wisconsin is a unique opportunity to lean into our strongest industries and work collaboratively to provide capital and resources to bridge these communities under a shared common goal, advancement,” said Tonnetta.

A leader in technology, Tonnetta previously served with local venture firm, gener8tor, as the firm’s inaugural Investment Director, leading their multi-million-dollar capital fundraise and overseeing the fund management process across 18 markets and over 50 industries to support more than 230 venture-backed startups and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Tonnetta is also an entrepreneur as Founder and CEO of Carter Wilson Group, an alternative asset consulting firm that provides strategy and access to unique investment opportunities in venture and economic development. She began her career as Chief of Staff in the US Army National Guard, spending years abroad in Afghanistan and South Korea where she provided thought leadership and focused on the strategic efforts in supporting the demobilization of more than 20,000 US troops.

An advocate for health equity and philanthropy, Tonnetta served as Assistant Development Director at the Medical College of Wisconsin where she co-led the institution’s $300M healthcare campaign supporting healthcare technology, cancer research, and community-facing initiatives.

Tonnetta has served in leadership roles for a variety of public sector organizations like New Leaders Council-Wisconsin and Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals. She currently serves on the Advisory Committee for Waukesha County Technical College Real Estate program and the State of Wisconsin Board of Veteran Affairs where she helps veteran-owned business, entrepreneurs, and families thrive across the state.

Tonnetta is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native and alumnae of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, having received her BBA in Finance.

Exploring Wisconsin’s Construction Industry Pathways: A Gateway to Promising Careers

Jessica Reilly · Jun 7, 2023 ·

The construction industry plays a crucial role in Wisconsin’s economic growth and development. With a wide range of job opportunities and a strong demand for skilled professionals, it presents a promising pathway for individuals seeking rewarding and stable careers. Let’s delve into Wisconsin’s construction industry and the pathways available for Madison Region high school students through programming developed by Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP).

Understanding Wisconsin’s Construction Industry

Wisconsin’s construction industry encompasses a diverse array of sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure development. It is an essential driver of economic progress, providing employment opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and community development throughout the state.

DPI’s Pathways Wisconsin – Construction Industry

DPI’s Pathways Wisconsin program aims to prepare students for successful futures by providing comprehensive career development resources. The program’s construction pathway focuses on developing the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the construction industry. DPI’s website serves as a valuable resource, offering information on industry trends, job prospects, and educational requirements.

Exploring the MadREP Architecture and Construction Pathway

MadREP, in collaboration with DPI, has developed the Madison Region Architecture and Construction Pathway. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed overview of the pathway, outlining the coursework, hands-on learning experiences, and industry-recognized credentials available to high school students interested in pursuing a career in architecture and construction.

Career Opportunities in the Construction Industry

The construction industry offers a wide range of career opportunities, catering to individuals with various skill sets and interests with salaries ranging from $22,940 to $150,920. Whether you have a passion for design, project management, skilled trades, or sustainability, there is a role for you within the industry. From architects and engineers to carpenters and electricians, the construction sector provides a platform for personal and professional growth.

Benefits of Pursuing a Career in Construction

Choosing a career in construction can be highly rewarding. The industry provides stability and job security, with a constant demand for skilled professionals. Additionally, construction careers often offer competitive salaries, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to work on exciting and impactful projects that shape communities.

Educational Pathways and Training Programs

To succeed in the construction industry, it is essential to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. Completion of the Madison Region Architecture and Construction Pathway while in high school puts students on the right path for success in this industry. Following high school, Wisconsin offers a range of educational pathways and training programs, including apprenticeships, and technical college and university programs. These avenues provide hands-on experience and industry-specific training, equipping individuals with the expertise needed to excel in their chosen field.

Industry Trends and Future Outlook

Staying abreast of industry trends is crucial for aspiring professionals in the construction sector. Advancements in technology, sustainability practices, and building techniques are transforming the industry. Professionals with a keen understanding of these trends will be well-positioned to contribute to innovative projects and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Get involved!

Businesses in our Region have highlighted talent development as a top concern for several years and it has only increased since the onset of the pandemic. If your business would like to take an active role in cultivating your next generation of talent, fill out this brief intake form to get started.

MadREP Launches Community Input Survey for Region’s 3rd Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Jessica Reilly · May 26, 2023 ·

Thank you for your participation! Results of this survey will inform the development of the next regional blueprint for economic equity and success.

Create your own user feedback survey

10th Annual Madison Region Economic Development & Diversity Summit Welcomes 500+ Business and Community Leaders

Jessica Reilly · May 19, 2023 ·

A crowd of more than 500 business and community leaders joined MadREP and the Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM) on Wednesday, May 10 at the tenth annual Madison Region Economic Development and Diversity Summit. The day-long event was packed with important conversations about equitable development and embracing diversity as the Region continues to grow.

Attendees enjoyed remarks from elected officials, economists and business and thought leaders from our Region and beyond. Keynote addresses from Laura Dresser, UW-Madison Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Director at the Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS), Jason R. Thompson, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Western Governors University, Troy LeMaile-Stovall, CEO, TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation), and Lela Lee, Actress/Creator of the “Angry Little Asian Girl.” All four speakers inspired and challenged the crowd to think about how we invest in diverse entrepreneurs and attract diverse talent to Southcentral Wisconsin.

As in previous years, the conference featured messages from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes and welcomed Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway to the stage.

Breakout sessions at the summit included two presentations and two panel discussions focused on equity and quality of life:

“Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace,” with presenter Haley Moss, Attorney & Expert on Neurodiversity, Autism & Inclusion
“Improving Quality of Life—Not Just Business—is the Best Path to Midwestern Rejuvenation,” with presenter Amanda Weinstein, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics, University of Akron
“Pathways from Youth to Adult Apprenticeship: Examining UW Health as a Local Model,” with moderator Bridgett Willey, PhD, Director of Allied Health Education and Career Pathways, UW Health
“What is Talent Really Looking For,” with moderator Mark Richardson, Founder & CEO, Unfinished Business

This unique collaboration between the Urban League the Madison Region serves as a national model for economic growth and economic inclusion. We would like to extend a special thank you to the many sponsors who made the event possible, especially our co-presenting sponsors, Alliant Energy and UW Health.

Feedback from the varied offerings of plenary and breakouts speakers was very positive the day of the event, as ideas, strategies, and tools were discussed to help organizations move their diversity and inclusion efforts forward. A few of the presentations from the Summit are available for sharing. If you are interested in sponsoring next year, getting involved, or receiving the presentation for a speaker or breakout session, please contact MadREP Operations and Fundraising Specialist Jana Moore at jmoore@madisonregion.org. Attendees are encouraged to respond to the follow-up survey sent out earlier, as feedback received on that form will help to drive the agenda for the 2024 Summit.

If you missed it, check out the conversation on twitter at #madsummit as well as photos from the day. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this continued collaboration a success. Don’t forget to save the date for next year: May 2, 2024.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee’s Water Council lands $1 million grant to create regional water resiliency solutions hub

Jessica Reilly · May 18, 2023 ·

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A Milwaukee hub for water technology, management and conservation is one of 44 organizations nationwide to receive a $1 million planning grant from the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engine program.

The Milwaukee-based Water Council and its partners will use the grant to focus on developing what NSF calls an “innovation engine,” a network of universities, two-year colleges, small and large businesses, utilities, non-profits and investors, to address the challenges of water-dependent industries and utilities in the face of climate change and increasing water scarcity, said Dean Amhaus, the Water Council’s president and CEO.

The result, he said, is expected to be a long-standing, multi-disciplinary network spanning eastern Wisconsin and parts of Illinois that can quickly take ideas for water-use management, conservation and stewardship from the academic sphere to practical, marketable solutions.

“What the goal is, and this was really the intent of NSF, is to get all those moving parts together so that it is literally working as a fine-tuned engine — and we need to be able to have all those different components together to make that engine work,” said Amhaus said.

The program dovetails with the Water Council’s mission since 2009 of bringing together the Milwaukee-area’s large, established water engineering companies, its academic and research campuses, startup companies and others focus on water issues and business development.

The grant program, created under the federal CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, is a first of its kind effort to leverage regional academic and business expertise to develop solutions and technology to address critical environmental, social and economic challenges.

The goal of the NSF Engines planning grants is to create hubs of knowledge and expertise to find innovative solutions to regional and national isses, develop and bring to market solutions to address those challenges, spur economic development and job growth, and to develop a diverse workforce.

A second round of NSF grants could provide up to $160 million in ongoing funding for that work.

Amhaus said winning the planning grant “speaks volumes of what we have in the eastern side of Wisconsin — that we can be extremely competitive when it comes to that water energy nexus.”

“It’s the combination of the businesses that are already here and have been here for decades, it’s the universities, the utilities — it’s all here, and pulling them all together as a region we believe can be a solution that not only the country needs, but the world needs around this resiliency,” he said.

The MKE Tech Hub Coalition, Wisconsin Technology Council, Marquette University, Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity, and Madison Region Economic Partnership partnered with The Water Council to prepare the grant application.

Article originally published on jsonline.com