Community CONVERSATIONS Written By: Laurie Radke, President/CEO, Greater Green Bay Chamber
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t the Greater Green Bay Chamber, we are committed to provide our members with resources that give insight, knowledge, and information about our community. As part of this commitment, we are debuting our first Collective Impact magazine Community Conversation. In this, and future conversations, I will engage with community members that are making a difference in Greater Green Bay. A summary of these discussions will appear in the pages of Collective Impact each quarter while the entire conversation with each guest will be available online, allowing you time to explore more of the conversation. It is my sincere hope you find these conversations both interesting and insightful. My guest for the Chamber’s inaugural edition of Community Conversations is Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach. Recently, Executive Streckenbach and I met over Zoom to discuss his take on many issues and priorities impacting Greater Green Bay. We had a wide-ranging conversation that focused on Austin Straubel International Airport, the Port of Green Bay, Resch Expo, talent recruitment and his take on what the next 10 years will bring for Greater Green Bay, among other things. 2 Collective IMPACT | Winter 2022
One of the first things Executive Streckenbach and I discussed was how the Resch Expo has impacted Greater Green Bay. Reflecting on it, Streckenbach remarked, “It was a $93 million dollar project supported by the community.” He continued by saying, “The Chamber, of course, was a strong supporter along with the Green Bay Packers. I think when we look at the bigger piece of the economic aspect of this, I think the Resch Expo initially was expected that it was going to bring in roughly $13 million dollars annually to the overall economy from its events that it holds. Instead of having those disposable dollars driving-by us, we can continue to create reasons for people to want to stop here, spend some time, and ultimately enjoy what this community has to offer.” When asked about the Port of Green Bay, our conversation moved to the Pulliam site purchase and opportunities that it presents. Streckenbach said, “Our community was founded on the water and the Port, to this day, still plays a vital role in not only Greater Green Bay (and) Brown County, but the whole region’s economy.” County Executive Streckenbach continued,
“Advocating and growing the Port of Green Bay is a critical aspect for our region to be competitive in the long run. When we look at the development of waterfront, we may be able to eventually address the coal piles that are south of the Mason Street bridge and develop potentially 10-acres that compliments the shipyard development.” Continuing our conversation around assets that make Greater Green Bay a destination, we discussed Austin Straubel International Airport. I asked the Executive what role he feels it plays in the region. “We are very fortunate to have this airport located in our region,” replied Streckenbach. “Again, this is like the Port of Green Bay. It’s not just a Green Bay, Brown County asset. It really is the region’s asset and the ability for us to be able to do business globally requires us to be able to get there in a timely manner. And so, by having this asset in Northeast Wisconsin, it allows our businesses to really, truly compete globally and to reach markets beyond our borders. We just recently announced direct flights to Tampa, to Fort Meyers, Fort Lauderdale, Phoenix, Denver. These are
