November 2018 the Active Voice Digital Magazine

growing and giving

get results on Linkedin

climbing your mountain

Letters to santa

the Active Voice - 2018

Growing and GivingThe Cornerstone of Portage County

BY TODD KUCKKAHN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PORTAGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL

IN THIS ISSUE Human Services, Diversity, and the Community Climbing Your Mountain Women In Business

Volunteers are NEEDED! Ambassadors Show Their Support Get Results in 15 Minutes Because of all the changes taking place on LinkedIn, people are frequently asking me what they should be doing each day for maximum LinkedIn success.

Letters to Santa New Members

COMING SOON TO PCBC MEMBERS....

WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS!

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Every day, month and year bring on new optimism and new opportunity. While we can’t change what has happened we can have an impact on what is about to happen.

Even with that said, this is the time of year when we do look back at what we have accomplished and new directions that have been taken.

The Portage County Business Council (PCBC) community has added a lot to our list of transactional and transformational benefits in 2018. This all came about through the efforts of our Board of Directors, staff, committees, volunteers and the business community. That is generally good news, but just like winning the Super Bowl, people will want to know “What’s Next?”!

This fall PCBC unveiled the communitywide talent attraction website, everythingpointshere.com. Many businesses are taking advantage of using this site to promote their job vacancies and steer candidates to all that is good about our area. Individuals are sharing it with family and friends in the hopes more will visit and move here to fill some critical employment opportunities.

PCBC offered an association healthcare plan through Ansay & Associates and Aspirus Arise. The details of the plan are in the final stages. While this plan isn’t a fit for every business, it does offer an option for some in reducing the costs and/or increasing the opportunity for coverage. There will be another option in December, 2019, to sign up for the plan.

We just completed an agreement where the Heartland Leadership Initiative (HLI) will become a part of the PCBC Foundation, our education and leadership arm of the organization. HLI will be a great addition

to our already popular Leadership Portage County (LPC) program. They have different visions and missions with the ultimate goal of talent retention in the workplace and enhancing the skills of employees and individuals. There will be a lot more coming out after the first of the year regarding this program.

PCBC partnered with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UWStevens Point and the Plover Area Business Association (PABA) to bring four business education topics to our membership. These were in addition to our monthly Business X-Change topics and they will be continued in 2019, with the dates and topics already set. Partnerships are a great way to stretch resources.

We came out endorsing a yes vote for the two school district referenda and they both passed with resounding support.

The volunteer committee, and community in general, organized to make sure these important funding opportunities were well understood by the voting public. A strong school system has been the foundation for our community, along with the other K-12 education partners and our post-secondary system.

There are also two other programs that PCBC is taking a leadership role on that should be finalized in the next few weeks. One is involving youth leadership and the other is county-wide economic development planning. Once these are finalized, we will certainly share with the community.

And who knows what the Ignite Young Professionals group will have in store for 2019. Planning for YP Week in April is already ongoing. Learning and leading are key elements of the program.

All of these are being added to our plate while we are still focusing on our values of engagement, growth, innovation, leadership, network development and partnerships.

Thanks for all you do to make this a great community. Portage County gives twelve months a year, but it is particularly noteworthy during the holiday season.

the Active Voice - 2018

Leadership Portage County!

BY KORBI FELTZ PAPER CITY SAVINGS BANK

LPC’s November session focused on Human Services, Diversity, and the Community.

Participants met in Amherst at the Lettie Jensen Center for a day filled with discussion and presentations on community challenges. Participants had

(Learn more about volunteering here)

the opportunity to learn a bit more about the Jensen Center, hearing from Mariah SingerBrown about the center’s operations and role in the community. Following that, it was time for a few teambuilding activities to get to know each other better as a group.

were to complete an Implicit Association Test. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) measures attitudes and beliefs that people may be unwilling or unable to report. These tests spurred meaningful conversations about diversity and bias in our everyday life.

Our day then transitioned to topics of diversity, opportunity, and poverty in our County and communities.

Participants learned about the Warming Center in Stevens Point and the work being done by Evergreen Community Initiatives. The Warming Center is seeking volunteers to ensure that the homeless in our community have a warm, safe place to sleep.

Next up was a critical conversation about diversity in our community and in our world, and also a review of our Interim Assignments which

Finally, our day concluded with a poverty simulation facilitated

by CAP Services, Inc. The poverty simulation experience gives participants a chance to feel and understand some of the struggles low-income populations in our community are faced with. LPC participants played the role of family members needing to find work, keep their lights on, and care for their children, among other tasks. The simulation experience was open to the public and also featured community volunteers who played the role of vendors or completed the family roles.

Together, a large group debrief was had, and led to greater understanding and awareness of poverty and advocacy for these issues.

LPC participants are looking forward to the next session in December!

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the Active Voice - 2018

sponsored by

Climbing Your MOUNTAIN

Women In Business Luncheon DECEMBER 13, 2018 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is excited to sponsor Women in Business on Thursday, December 13, 2018. Join us that afternoon from 11:15AM to 1:00PM at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, 1001 Amber Avenue, Stevens Point.

Kate Peterson Abidd will be presenting “Climbing Your Mountain”.

Maneuvering through your life journey, women face unique challenges. Climbing your mountain - whether it be for pursuing success in business, family, spiritual life, or the important pursuit of happiness - it is never a smooth path. How do you adjust to the challenges we face? How do you know we are climbing the right mountain?

Learning to assess your path and conquer those challenges,

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REGISTER NOW with confidence and strength is an important part of a successful journey.

About our Speaker: For 27 years of her professional career, Kate Peterson Abiad was involved in collegiate coaching of women’s basketball at the Division 1 level.

Kate served as an assistant coach for a combined 12 seasons at Indiana, Eastern Illinois and Wisconsin, and then went on to become the leader and head coach of the Cleveland State Women’s Basketball Program for 15 years.

She captured the program’s first-ever league tournament championships, twice, and secured the program’s first bid to the NCAA Tournament in school history. Kate became the all-time winningest coach in program history and while investing in the

leadership and development of many remarkable women, 16 of those women also earned special league accolades over 15 seasons.

A native of River Falls, Kate graduated from UW-Stevens Point. During her senior year, she herself earned All-American honors, Team MVP, and set an NCAA Division III national record for three-point field goals made per game. She was a four-year starter and was inducted into the UW-Stevens Point Hall of Fame in 2000. Kate earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stevens Point and her master’s degree in counseling and educational psychology from Indiana.

On April 1, Kate made the difficult decision to step down

the Active Voice - 2018 from her love of coaching and shift her focus to her family to be more involved while her children grow. She moved to Stevens Point where she is an Assistant Director for the WIAA. Kate and her husband, Phil, who has served as an assistant coach with the Cleveland State women’s volleyball program for the last 18 seasons, have two daughters, 9-year old Mea and 2-year old Remi.

AGENDA: 11:15AM Registration and Networking 11:30AM Welcome 11:45AM Luncheon 12:15PM Guest Speaker Presentation 1:00PM Door Prize Giveaways and Closing

Opportunities are available to Business Council members wishing to play a greater role in our Women in Business events for 2019. Contact Karen Myers at kmyers@ portagecountybiz.com for all the exciting details.

Special Thanks to our Media Sponsor – Midwest Communications

LEADERSHIP BOOK DISCUSSION Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box by The Arbinger Institute We encourage LPC alumni and friends to participate in our next leadership book discussion. We will read Leadership and Self-Deception from The Arbinger Institute.

Join us for a discussion of this insightful book. Date is TBD, and will be identified based on interest from participants.

If you would like to join, CLICK HERE

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the Active Voice - 2018

REALITY SHOP (SPASH) JANUARY 10, 2019 7:20 AM to 9:25 AM and/or 9:10 AM to 11:30 AM Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) 1201 Northpoint Dr, Stevens Point, 2nd Floor Library Media Center A Reality Shop is a budgeting exercise for high school students. Based on a students’ career aspirations they will be given three job offers to choose from. Using their chosen offer and annual wage, the student must complete a monthly budget.

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VOLUNTEER HERE

MOCK INTERVIEWS JANUARY 16, 2019 9:00 AM-10:30 AM Mid-State Technical College Stevens Point 1001 Center Point Dr, Stevens Point Mock interviews will help students boost confidence, reduce anxiety & stress, and receive constructive feedback, all in preparation for a future job.

REALITY SHOP (AMHERST/ ROSHOLT) APRIL 3, 2019 8:30 AM-10:30 AM UWSP Dreyfus University Center - Encore Room 1015 Reserve St, Stevens Point

VOLUNTEER HERE

VOLUNTEER HERE

WE NEED YOU!

the Active Voice - 2018

Small Business of the Year Award Nominations Sought The Portage County Business Council is seeking your nominations for the annual Small Business of the Year Award.

A streamlined nomination form for the Small Business of the Year Award is available by clicking here. Your nominations are due Monday, November 26th. Self nominations are encouraged.

The Small Business of the Year Award is presented during the Business Council’s Annual Dinner on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

For more information on this award and past recipients, please contact Karen Myers at 715-344-1940 or kmyers@ portagecountybiz.com.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL FORM!

CLICK HERE FOR FULL FORM!

Criteria: Member businesses nominated receive a questionnaire form Award selection is made from companies completing the form All forms are confidentially reviewed Criteria based on continued growth, customer service, economic health, community service, leadership and market change adaptability.

Small Business of the Year Award 2018 Nomination Form

In an effort to support and honor successful small businesses across Portage County, we welcome your nomination for the 2018 Small Business of the Year Award. This will be presented at the Business Council’s Annual Dinner on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

The nomination process has been simplified to encourage increased participation. Please indicate your choice for this award on the form below and mail, fax or email the information to the Business Council.

Anyone may nominate a business for this yearly honor. Self-nominations are welcome.

Nominations due by Monday, November 26, 2018 Portage County Business Name _____________________________________________________________ I am nominating this business for Small Business of the Year because _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________

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the Active Voice - 2018

FEBRUARY 26-27, 2019 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

YEA RS

1997-2017 MEMBER

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the Active Voice - 2018

Ambassadors and PCBC Staff Show Their Support Our Ambassadors were honored to celebrate the grand opening of the Blind Rooster Kitchen + Bar, located in the Central Wisconsin Airport on November 1st with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Be sure to check them out for their Friday fish fry, Sunday brunch or other great menu options.

On November 8th members of our Ambassadors Club and PCBC staff visited our new PCBC member - Herrschners Inc., located at 2800 Hoover Road, Stevens Point. We had the opportunity to hear about the history of the company, tour their facility and end with shopping in their retail store.

On November 8th PCBC staff, members of our Ambassadors Club, and Mayor Wiza helped celebrate the opening of the new Peoples State Bank located at 3233A Business Park Drive, Stevens Point. We were treated to door prize giveaways, delicious desserts, refreshments and commemorative coffee mugs and pens. Congratulations to the staff of Peoples State Bank.

On November 16th our Ambassadors and PCBC staff volunteered as bell ringers for The Salvation Army-Stevens Point. Ring a bell...help change a life!

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the Active Voice - 2018

Boys & Girls Club Serves Thanksgiving Meal To Over 450 Local Kids & Families NEWSROOM BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF PORTAGE COUNTY

On Tuesday, November 13th, the staff and board of the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County served a bountiful Thanksgiving feast to over 450 Club members and their families at six different Boys & Girls Club sites throughout the Portage County.

At the Thanksgiving feasts, Club kids participated in turkey bowling (using a frozen turkey to knock down bowling pins), read Thanksgiving poems and shared what they were thankful for, and had the opportunity to win a frozen turkey.

The purpose of this event is aligned with the Boys & Girls Club’s mission to, “inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring members of the community.”

This event was created to ensure that every Club family has the opportunity to have at least one bountiful Thanksgiving meal with their family.

Thanks to generous donations from members of the community and Boys & Girls Club board members, the staff were able to raffle off 12 frozen turkeys to give to Club families that night to take home and create their own Thanksgiving feast.

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the Active Voice - 2018

This is our busiest time of year!

Many community members stop in the office at this time of year to purchase Portage County Gift Certificates.

Increased visitors equals increased amounts of people looking through and taking our members’ literature.

Now is the perfect time for you to drop off brochures for our lobby racks.

We want our display shelves fully stocked with information about our members so we can show off all of the good work you do!

We will take a bundle of 20-25 pcs. of your promotional materials.

You can drop them off at our front desk, put them in the mail, or give us a call (715-3441940) and we will be happy to pick them up!

The HOLIDAYS are here!

Looking for a great gift for a co-worker, mail carrier, teacher, friend, or family?

Portage County Gift Certificates are perfect!

They are one-size-fits-all and the recipient is guaranteed to get exactly what they want!

Portage County Gift Certificates are also a wonderful way to retain employees by recognizing and rewarding their hard work at the end of the year.

Stop in and pick up some Portage County Gift Certificates today!

Have a large gift certificate order? Call ahead at 715-344-1940, and we will have them ready for you when you arrive!

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the Active Voice - 2018

SAVE THE DATE February 19, 2019 LinkedIn Extravaganza 2019

How to Get Results on LinkedIn in Just 15 Minutes BY: WAYNE BREITHBARTH POWER FORMULA

Because of all the changes taking place on LinkedIn, people are frequently asking me what they should be doing each day for maximum LinkedIn success. So today I’m going to give you a 15-minute daily to do list.

If you want more help with time management on LinkedIn, you can find many of these daily ideas— along with weekly, monthly and quarterly to do lists—in one of the most popular chapters in my book, Ready...Set...Go: A Six-Week, Two-Hour-PerWeek Roadmap to Results.

Your daily 15-minute LinkedIn to do list

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These four critical steps should take you no more than 15 minutes—and if completed consistently, they should bring you quantifiable LinkedIn results.

the Active Voice - 2018 1. Review Who’s Viewed Your Profile and reach out to the people you should be meeting (3 minutes).

4. Take time to review all of your inbound invitations to connect (3 minutes).

That’s right—take a little Screen Shot 2017-03-02 at 8.42.05 AMtime. Don’t just quickly click Accept or Ignore. My suggestion is to first read all the messages that people took the time to write in their connection request and respond accordingly.

Viewing your profile is the equivalent of walking into your store, so be sure to reach out and ask the person how you might be able to help him or her. This feature has some limits, depending on your personal settings and if you’re paying for a premium account or not. Check out this article for a full discussion.

2. Send invitations to join your LinkedIn network, using a custom invitation, to people you met (in person or on the phone) since the last time you sent out outbound invitations (5 minutes).

Making this part of your networking process or routine will help you in many different ways on LinkedIn. To get the inside scoop on adding gas (connections) to your LinkedIn tank, be sure to download a copy of my free article The LinkedIn Connection Conundrum: Who Should be in Your Network. Improving your search ranking on LinkedIn is all about connections, especially the right ones, and people you have already met are spot on.

Also, look at the profiles of the people you may want to follow up with, looking for areas of commonality or opportunity. Remember—these people took the first step, and it’s your job to figure out what the next step should or could be.

Of course, there will be people who attempt to connect with you that are probably spammers and others whom you simply see no reason to have them in your network. Don’t hesitate to click Ignore in these cases.

Make sure you find 15 minutes in your day to accomplish these four tasks, because it will undoubtedly lead to new and deeper relationships with people who can significantly impact your professional career.

BE SURE TO REGISTER FOR THE PCBC

3. Review all the important information in your Notifications Tab (4 minutes).

LINKEDIN EXTRAVAGANZA 2019

Articled featured from https://www.powerformula.net/13788/how-toget-results-on-linkedin-in-just-15-minutes/ This tab on the new LinkedIn desktop is awesome.

It puts all the most relevant information about you and your connections in one convenient place. For a deeper discussion of this feature, check out this article on the Notifications tab.

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the Active Voice - 2018

Words of Wisdom for Retirement

BY LOUANN SCHULFER, AWMA®, AIF® ACCREDITED WEALTH MANAGEMENT ADVISOR® ACCREDITED INVESTMENT FIDUCIARY

I am a quotations fanatic. Some are profound and some are funny. What I love about quotes is that the great ones say so much with just a few words of wisdom. Here are a few on retirement with reflection from me. If you have others that are worthy of sharing, I welcome you to e-mail me down again (like 2008) I do not want to lose half (louann.schulfer@lpl.com), I would love to hear of my portfolio; Don’t let me run out of money from you! (later in life); and, Make sure my spouse is taken care of (financially) when I die. For those nearing “The question isn’t at what age I want to retire, or in retirement, maintaining health and mental it’s at what income.” George Foreman. So true. acuity are next in line, and that is a big concern.

The vast majority of us do not have pensions to Retirement is an opportunity to redesign the part replace our income at retirement. Therefore, we of your life that was consumed by work. Which is no longer have a magic age when retirement just a nice lead into this next one: “Retirement . . . is happens. Rather, it’s determining when the time when you stop living at work and begin working is right for you to turn your lifetime of savings and at living.” — Unknown wise person accumulation into a reliable stream of retirement income, coordinated with decisions such as how “The longer you work, the more money you’ll have to and when to take social security, and assessing for retirement. But the longer you work, the less the risks you may face in your golden years. time you’ll have to enjoy that retirement.” — Wall Street Journal. Among my happiest clients are “When a man retires and time is no longer a matter those who began building their portfolios earlier of urgent importance, his colleagues generally in life. With the magic of compounding over time present him with a watch.” R.C. Sherriff. Funny their portfolios have grown more significantly and true! One of my clients who just retired is and with their financial success, they have more receiving a watch as his company retirement gift. freedom in choosing their retirement date.

“The money is no better in retirement, but the And one of my all-time favorites: “In retirement, every day is Saturday.” - a happy client of mine. hours are!” — Author Unknown.

“Retire from work, but not from life.” — M. K. Soni.

When I meet with new clients, one of the questions I always ask is “What concerns do you have”?” The three that top the list are: When the markets go

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LouAnn Schulfer is co-owner of Schulfer & Associates, LLC Financial Professionals and can be reached at (715) 343-9600 or louann.schulfer@lpl.com. www.SchulferAndAssociates. com Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/ SIPC.

the Active Voice - 2018

REGISTER NOW

Business after

Hours

Monday, December 17, 2018 5:00PM to 7:00PM No Cost to Attend Hosted by: Real Deals on Home Décor, 817 Clark Street, Stevens Point Parking: Available on the street and in the public parking lot off of 2nd Street, Stevens Point Get ready for an evening of great shopping, good eats, a visit from Santa, and fantastic networking. Our host for the November event will be offering complimentary appetizers with a festive theme centered around the holidays, and refreshments including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic (wine, beer, grasshoppers, soda & water). Door prizes will be given away, including a unique Christmas wreath and a 50/50 raffle will be played.

What is Business After Hours? A social event designed for and hosted by Business Council members to give business professionals an opportunity to network, share ideas, and have their facility seen by other members. The member host furnishes refreshments and hors d’oeuvres for the evening.

A different Business Council member hosts Business After Hours every month.

Members are welcome to co-host the event with another Business Council member. Please call Karen Myers at 715-344-1940 or email at kmyers@portagecountybiz. com to book the month you are interested in.

RSVP by Friday, December 14 2018.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE FOR MAP

You are invited to attend our December X-Change.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018 | 7:30AM to 8:30AM • Portage County Business Council, Foundation Conference Room • While there is no cost to attend, the value of the information may be priceless • Continental Breakfast Provided

Topic: “Stop Wasting Your Advertising!

Target Your Ideal Customer” Quinn Bahm Vice President Impact Directories About the Program: At this X-Change, Quinn will cover how businesses can avoid wasting money by figuring out who their ideal customer is and targeting all their advertising on them. We will also talk about the pros and cons of old school and new school media.

Key Points - Figure out what your ideal customer looks like.

- What media options are a good choice for targeting your ideal customer.

- Tips on how to use peer pressure to power up your advertising.

About our Speaker: Quinn Bahm is Vice President of Impact Directories. He has been in marketing and advertising since 2006. He has been training sales crews since 2012 and has been in public speaking since 2013.

What is Business X-Change? A roundtable presentation which allows business owners and their employees the opportunity to discuss pertinent topics, learn from local industry leaders and, most importantly, learn from each other. Business X-Change meets regularly throughout the year from 7:30 - 8:30am at the Portage County Business Council office.

Special THANK YOU to Impact Directories for their sponsorship of this program.

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the Active Voice - 2018

PRESENTED BY

SAVE THE DATE of

AWARD SPONSORS

Wednesday, January 30, 2019!

Registration is now open.

CLICK HERE 2019 Annual Dinner & Silent Auction

RECEPTION SPONSORS

5:30 – 8:30pm Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center 1001 Amber Avenue, Stevens Point The Portage County Business Council invites you for an evening of dining, socializing, recognition and education.

The annual dinner features the presentation of the Ambassador of the Year Award, Small Business of the Year Award, Decree of Excellence Award, and the President’s Award.

Please contact Karen Myers with your commitment at 715-344-1940 or kmyers@portagecountybiz.com.

SILENT AUCTION SPONSORS

Silent Auction Sponsor – Only 4 Remaining $600 Investment

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Benefits for Silent Auction Sponsor:

     

Logo and recognition in marketing including program, digital magazine, press release, and PCBC web site with a link to your company’s homepage.

Logo and recognition during award video presentation.

Recognition as Silent Auction Sponsor on all emails to over 1,600 member contacts.

Verbal recognition at reception and dinner.

Three (3) complimentary dinner tickets to event.

(Commitment Needed by December 28)

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the Active Voice - 2018

Tis the season to surprise the ones you love!

Send them a letter from Santa and give back to the community.

All proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army-Stevens Point and CAP Services, Inc. Family Crisis Center

Welcome New Members!

Wednesday, December 5th from 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM Eron’s Event Barn, 3471 County Road C, Stevens Point, WI 54481 Free, but Pre-Registration is Suggested Agenda Tours 10 AM & 1 PM (both tours are identical)  See results of cover crops inter-seeded into 12” corn at June 20th Field Day  See rye inter-seeded into standing soybeans at leaf drop 11:30 Lunch & Learn

Pork & Chicken donated by Raikowski Farms



  

Hear from Auburndale High School Students about their Mill Creek water sampling project Learn about on-farm conservation practices See the stream table demonstration Learn how you can get involved in the Farmers of Mill Creek Watershed Project.

To register call 715-346-1316 or register online at www.portage.uwex.edu

The Farmers of Mill Creek Watershed Council Farmer-Led Innovation and Public Education

NOTICE: A quorum of the Portage County Board of Supervisors or any committee thereof may be present at this event. No official business will be considered or discussed at this event.

University of Wisconsin, United States Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin Counties Cooperating, UW-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX and ADA requirements.

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AdvicePeriod Aspirus Arise Health Plan of Wisconsin clearTREND Dance Education Center (DEC) Herrschners Inc Highstreet Salon, Inc PrimeLending Samoset Council, Boy Scouts of America Van Horn Nissan of Stevens Point Verso Corporation Walmart Supercenter Whitetail Lanes Bar & Grill

the Active Voice - 2018

Entrepreneurs wear many hats as managers, sales people, bookkeepers, customer service reps and marketing agents, all in a day’s work. Successful entrepreneurs have a significant support system to help them accomplish their tasks. Included in the support system for entrepreneurs are local economic development organizations, namely the Central Wisconsin Economic Development Fund (CWED) in this area. CWED understands economic growth is the lifeblood of a thriving community and works to bridge the gaps between project needs and business success.

CWED is a 105(a)(15), non-stock, non-profit entity that works with entrepreneurs and their lenders to structure financing packages for start-up and expanding businesses to encourage economic growth in the area. CWED does not seek to compete with banks for projects, but rather complement them and other programs in a total financial structure that gives the business access to capital that may not otherwise be available.

Financing from CWED can be used to support a variety of business needs including: business acquisition, real estate and equipment purchases, inventory and supply costs, marketing, and working capital funds. CWED focuses on the economic impact that will be achieved in the following Central Wisconsin counties: Adams, Wood, Portage, Marathon, Lincoln, Forest and Vilas. Most important to CWED is job creation and retention. Other economic factors that CWED CWED covers 7 counties throughout central looks for include construction or renovation efforts and northern Wisconsin. that increase property values, elimination of blighted areas, introducing new products or services to the area, and advances in technology.

CWED provides micro loans and gap financing to businesses from $5,000 to $1,000,000. With the understanding that new projects sometimes create a financial burden initially, CWED works with the borrower and other project lenders to provide business loans with affordable interest rates and flexible terms.

To learn more about CWED please visit our website at www.cwedfund.com. To find out how CWED can assist your business development plans with funding necessary to keep moving forward please contact our Loan Fund Specialist, Joni Kearn, at 715-340-7930 or jkearn@capmail.org.

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the Active Voice - 2018

DECEMBER

JANUARY

04

IGNITE EVENT

01

PCBC OFFICE CLOSED

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BUSINESS X-CHANGE

09

BUSINESS X-CHANGE

13

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

10

REALITY SHOP (SPASH)

14

IGNITE COMEDY EVENT

16

MOCK INTERVIEWS

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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

17

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

30

ANNUAL DINNER & SILENT AUCTION

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PCBC/PCBCF ANNUAL BOARD MEETING

24-25 PCBC OFFICE CLOSED 31

PCBC OFFICE CLOSED

Todd Kuckkahn Executive Director tkuckkahn@portagecountybiz..com

Karen Myers Director of Programs & Events kmyers@portagecountybiz.com

Contact US! Portage County Business Council, Inc. 5501 Vern Holmes Drive | Stevens Point, WI 54482 715-344-1940 www.portagecountybiz.com

Kayla Rombalski Director of Talent Development talent@portagecountybiz.com Tonya Kowalski Director of Business Engagement tkowalski@portagecountybiz.com

Portage County Business Council Angel Whitehead Marketing Communications Coordinator admin@portagecountybiz.com

@PoCoBiz Portage County Business Council

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