ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Greater Green Bay Economic Development Strategic Plan outcomes So much of the economic development team’s work is centered on Greater Green Bay Economic Development Strategic Plan’s initiatives.
Initiatives 1, 2 & 3 Collaborated with NEWMA on the five-part Manufacturing Forward Series to assist the region’s manufacturers in understanding the implications of industry 4.0, productivity and automation; we will provide specific takeaways for implementation.
Initiative 2 This initiative focuses on the support of existing businesses in our community. The Chamber’s economic development team has taken an active role in the support of existing businesses through the business retention & expansion (BRE) led by Josh Bernhardt. 1. Community members engaged with the BRE program visit with leadership from County Materials Corporation in Green Bay to help recognize National Concrete Pipe Week. 2. Matthew Kee (right) visits with Dean Hendrickson, owner at Soda Sense, in the company’s new facility. 3. Josh Bernhardt does a virtual interview with a local TV station about the Paycheck Protection Program. 4. Josh Bernhardt talks with a local business representative, highlighting their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was shared through social media.
These efforts focus on the growth of existing firms as up to 80% of new job growth and investment in a community comes from alreadyestablished businesses. BRE looks to build relationships with existing businesses to connect them to resources for continued growth locally.
BRE BY THE NUMBERS More than half of the business visits resulted in a referral to a solution provider partner organization Main issues reported: Access to skilled talent/ workforce and COVID-19related questions and concerns
Connecting resources/results Soda Sense is a new Green Bay area business that started by knocking on the door of the Startup Hub to find valuable resources to jumpstart their business. The economic development team leveraged connections through the BRE program and helped find Soda Sense a facility that fit their needs. Soda Sense now calls Greater Green Bay home, and is the newest local business providing an alternative for in-home soda making with their membership-based CO2 cartridge exchange program. 8 Collective IMPACT | Summer 2020
