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A Word from the CEO

Successful businesses and organizations all have at least one thing in common -- they determine how to best spend resources to achieve goals.

Defining those goals and allocating those resources is one of the purposes of a strategic plan.  That plan can be a single page or even the size of a book, depending on the company or organization.

The strategic plan should be designed to support or accomplish an organization’s purpose or mission statement. It’s the strategies that are designed to reflect the dynamics of the work environment.

Sometimes you need to start from scratch. Sometimes it’s just tweaking a successful plan that’s already in place.

The 7 Rivers Alliance and its board of directors is in the process of updating our strategic plan, which was put into place under previous CEO Lisa Herr. The board spent several hours with facilitator Tracy Dryden from Western Technical College in December and will continue its work in March.

Much of our existing strategic plan was put into place shortly before the 7 Rivers Alliance embarked on the process of developing the Workforce Innovation for a Strong Economy (WISE) Plan. Some of those strategies -- like developing the plan -- have been accomplished.

I appreciate the thought and discussion that our diverse board of directors is bringing into the strategic planning process. There should be no sacred cows. As all of were once told at one time or another in our career learning path, there are no dumb questions.

The landscape of economic development layered underneath the jurisdictional differences of three different states and 14-different counties can be quite complex. But it can also be quite simple if we strip it down to delivering key services.

As CEO, it is my job to work at the direction of the board to deliver those services and results. Any organization or business -- whether it has thousands of employees or several -- needs to define those results and set the strategies and have all hands on board working to steer the ship in one direction.

I look forward to finishing this work and sharing the results with our members and supporters. Your financial support of our organization helps us to achieve our goals. Together we help move the 7 Rivers Region forward in a collaborative spirit.

Speaking of collaborative spirit, I’m pleased to announce progress on one key step of our WISE plan, which was to better market the 7 Rivers Region as a great place to live and work. We formed a partnership with River Valley Media Group and have launched a new website -- Our7Rivers.com.

The site is still being developed, but already it contains many stories, photos and podcasts -- including a couple about 7 Rivers Alliance -- that will help to promote the people, places and businesses in our region.

As the site is being developed we are also working on a magazine that will be published this spring that will have great content that we can use to market the region.

Finally, the 7 Rivers Alliance is focusing on developing summits around the three key challenges identified in our WISE plan -- childcare, transportation and housing. Look for more information about these events in the upcoming months.

 

Chris Hardie, CEO
chris@7riversalliance.org

Upcoming Events
Come listern to our very own Chris Hardie and Jeff Scheel speak at this two day event at the end of February. Visit the website linked below to learn more!
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SAVE THE DATE
On Wednesday, April 10th, we will be holding our first event of the new year, a Childcare Summit. This event will look at the current challenges facing the childcare industry in our region. 

If you or someone you know may be interested in helping with this event, please shoot us an email at info@7riversalliance.org. 
 Member Highlight
With a new year, comes new ideas here at the 7 Rivers Alliance. After reflecting on last year, we realized that our members do not get enough credit for making what we do here possible.

Starting this month, we will be recognizing different members of the 7 Rivers Alliance that help make what we do everyday possible. We look forward to another great year ahead!
 
If you are still interested in becoming a member, please let us know ASAP. 
LA CROSSE AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
The La Crosse Area Development Corporation (LADCO) Board is proud to announce the hiring of Jorge Beltran as its new Executive Director!  Jorge comes to LADCO after serving in progressively higher positions within the City of San Antonio Economic Development Department, including serving as its Assistant Director.  In addition, he has extensive experience in private practice as an attorney focused on complex transactions in commercial development, corporate governance, land use and other sectors of economic development.  

Jorge’s educational and civic background include a Bachelors in Public Affairs with honors from Wayne State University, and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School, where he served as President of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau.  He also has engaged in long-standing leadership positions in numerous professional and civic organizations, including the Hispanic Bar Association, Legal Aid and Defenders Association, Harvard Veterans Alumni Association, West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Michigan Bar Association.  

“My intention is to come and build upon the economic development that has been occurring in the La Crosse area, and to establish innovative processes that we can implement and share across the Coulee Region for future economic growth. It will be paramount for us to create allies and relationships across the region as we move forward.”
 
Take a look at LADCO's website found below!
Click here to visit Website
WISCONSIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is now accepting applications for its Certified In Wisconsin® Program, which designates industrial parcels of 20 acres or more as being “development ready.”

The program has played a key role in helping communities throughout the state attract new companies by providing independent certification that a wide range of concerns have been evaluated—such as environmental and geological factors, transportation access, utility and infrastructure capacity, zoning and property rights—and that the site is ready for industrial development.


The application period of the 2019 iteration of the certified sites program is set from January 14th to February 15th 2019. Click below to learn more about the program!
 
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NOW HIRING
Testimonies Wanted for Website
We are currently searching for testimonies from members or past event attendees on the work that the 7 Rivers Alliance has done over the years to display on our website! These testimonies, with your permission will be placed on our homepage highlighting some of the past successes of the 7 Rivers Alliance. 

This will give website visitors a better idea of what 7 Rivers is and what we do to help our community improve for the future. Please email us at info@7riversalliance.org with a 100 word or less statement. 

Thank you for all of your help, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Check out our Website
Inspire Update

The Inspire 7 Rivers team has taken initiative to grow its network of employers and students. Inspire is a way to link together education and industry to help students and job seekers achieve their goals and address communities’ workforce development needs. Inspire 7 Rivers is launched in school districts within Black River Falls, Holmen, Tomah, Hillsboro and Blair-Taylor, and over the next three years, the program will expand to include school districts throughout the entire 7 Rivers Region.

The Inspire program is now up to over 100 employers and 80 coaches that collaborate with over 1,000 active students in the area.

 Our team continues to communicate about the benefits of the program to local organizations. If you or any employer is interested in learning more please email Jeff at Jeff@7riversalliance.org
Regional News
Wisconsin Ranks Third in Winning Health and Life Science Business Grants!
 

Wisconsin’s early-stage health and life science firms and the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) received national attention for the state’s success over the past decade in landing competitive federal grants.

Wisconsin ranked third after Oregon and Vermont in securing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2008-2017. The 23 percent win rate for applications (248 awards from 1,056 submissions) resulted in $87 million invested in the state’s entrepreneurial efforts.

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Minnesota Manufacturers Expect Stable Conditions in 2019

Minnesota manufacturers reported mostly unchanged or improved conditions during 2018, according to an annual joint survey by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

The 2018 Minnesota Manufacturing Business Conditions Survey also found that respondents had a split outlook on production for 2019 with 47 percent believing that production would increase and an equal percentage expecting it to remain the same.

The random sample survey of 249 Minnesota manufacturers was conducted in November.

“I am encouraged that Minnesota manufacturers are optimistic about the upcoming year," said Governor Tim Walz. "Manufacturing is an industry that impacts every corner of the state and is critical to the success of our economy."

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LT. GOVERNOR AND SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TO PARTICIPATE IN TRADE MISSION TO COLOMBIA, PANAMA

Lt. Governor Adam Gregg and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will be participating in an international trade mission to South America, led by Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) officials, February 3-9, 2019. This will be Lt. Governor Gregg’s first trade mission since taking the oath of office on January 18, 2019.

“Trade missions are an important part of strengthening Iowa’s economy. They help us open and expand manufacturing and agricultural markets, while simultaneously building upon our international relationships,” said Lt. Gov Gregg. “In a new and fast-changing economy, Iowans are connected to the global market. I am honored to represent Iowa in Colombia and Panama on our state’s behalf.”

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Survey suggests solid economic growth ahead for Midwest

 A new report says a January survey of business supply managers is signaling solid economic growth over the next three to six months for nine Midwest and Plains states.

The report issued Friday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 56.0 last month from 55.2 in December. The November figure was 54.1.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the shortages of skilled workers and international trade tensions remain an impediment to even stronger growth.

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ISM manufacturing index rebounds in January, easing worries about the sector

 American manufacturers say business picked up in the first month of 2019 after moderating sharply in December.

The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rebounded in January to 56.6% from 54.3% in the prior month.

The latest reading, derived from a survey of executives, exceeded the MarketWatch forecast of 54.3%.

Readings over 50% indicate more companies are expanding instead of shrinking. Readings above 55% are seen as exceptional.

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Gov. Evers requests creation of committee on entrepreneurship and innovation at WEDC

Governor Tony Evers today requested the creation of a committee on entrepreneurship and innovation at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).

Wisconsin currently lags in small business creation, which is where most family-supporting jobs are created. Gov. Evers knows that we must invest in and support small businesses, local companies, and entrepreneurship to create middle-class jobs and grow the economy.

The new committee will complement WEDC’s existing programs that provide an array of resources to entrepreneurs, including support for startup accelerators, seed capital funds, microgrants, investment tax credits and technology development loans. In addition, WEDC supports and engages an existing statewide network of partners that offers business training, mentorship and financing to aspiring entrepreneurs.

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7 Rivers Alliance · 601 7th Street N #400 · La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601 · USA

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