Announcements

Small Business Input Sought

Are business served by you being unnecessarily burdened by out-dated or overly-burdensome existing state administrative rules or regulations? Do these businesses feel their voice is not being heard on issues related to existing state administrative rules or regulations?

If you answer "yes" to either question, then you may want to take advantage of an opportunity to inform the Small Business Regulatory Review Board (SBRRB) about problematic existing state administrative rules or regulations.

The Small Business Regulatory Review Board, created as part of the state's regulatory reform 2003 Wisconsin Act 145, is soliciting the input of small business owners regarding negative economic impacts of existing state rules and regulations. State rules that are out-of-date or no longer necessary may create an economic burden for small business. In many cases, state regulatory agencies maybe unaware of the negative effects that an out-dated administrative rule may have on a business owner. Small business owners should educate the SBRRB about ineffective, out-of-date existing state regulations that are ripe for reform.

The SBRRB is comprised of small business owners (defined as being independently owned and operated, with 25 or less full-time employees and annual sales of less than $5,000,000), legislators and state agency representatives. The SBRBB advocates for small business by providing their recommendations for reducing or eliminating a rule's negative impacts to either the regulatory agency or the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules.

To assist you in providing this information to the businesses that you serve, an outreach flyer and brochure are available from the Commerce web site at: http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-SBRRB.html. Small business owners who wish to have their concerns heard by the SBRRB should contact the Small Business Ombudsman at COMBDOmbudsman@wisconsin.gov or by phone at 608-267-0297.
(Posted 5-12-08)

Meeting to Focus on Marketing For Entrepreneurs

NEW NORTH, May 6, 2008 - The New North Small Business and Entrepreneurial Council will hold an open meeting on Thursday, June 24 from 9 - 11 a.m. at the D. J. Bordini Center in Appleton. All interested people should attend with an exciting agenda featuring a panel discussion on best practices for "Productive Marketing Concepts for Entrepreneurs."

Attendance is free and limited to the first 50 people. The D. J. Bordini Center is located across from the Fox Valley Technical College campus at 5 Systems Drive. More details on the panelists will be coming in the future. For more details, contact David Yeghiaian at david@unique-solutionsinc.com.

New North, Inc. is a regional collaboration effort focused on promoting regional cooperation and economic development in an 18-county region in Northeast Wisconsin. The 18 counties included in the New North are Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Waupaca, Brown, Shawano, Oconto, Marinette, Door, Kewaunee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Florence, Menominee, and Waushara. To find out more information about New North, Inc., please visit our website at www.thenewnorth.com.
(Posted 5-6-08)

Growing Community Wealth in Rural Wisconsin Conference

Community philanthropy is a growing opportunity for rural areas to maintain and grow local wealth and to put that wealth to use in enhancing the local economy. Join the Wisconsin Rural Partners for this informative event on June 5, 2008 in Wisconsin Rapids. See the flyer below for registration information.
(Posted 4-28-08)

Conference Registration Form

New Rural Tourism Map Available
The Outagamie County Planning Department has recently completed the production of a Rural Tourism Map. The map features areas for dining, shopping, recreation areas, farmer's markets, and more. To obtain a copy of the map, contact the Planning Department at (920) 832-5255.
(Posted 4-18-08)

Inventors' Network of Wisconsin Meeting

The Inventors' Network of Wisconsin will meet Monday, May 12th at the D.J. Bordini Center in Appleton. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and the featured speaker will begin at 7:00 p.m. For details on this event, see the meeting notice in the link below.
(Posted 4-12-08)

INVENTORS' NETWORK OF WISCONSIN MEETING NOTICE

International Marketing Help Available to Wisconsin Firms

Release: February 28, 2008

Contact: Lisa Stout 608-224-5126

MADISON – As recent record export numbers confirm, the world is hungry for Wisconsin-made food and agricultural products. But tapping into international markets can be challenging, especially for small and medium-sized companies. Thanks to help from a cost-share program and technical assistance from the state’s international trade team, a number of Wisconsin companies are finding it easier to expand their markets abroad. The International Agribusiness Center hopes more companies will take advantage of the program this year.

“Wisconsin’s exports reached $19.2 billion in 2007, setting another all-time record,” said Department of Commerce Secretary Jack L. Fischer, AIA. “There has never been a better time for small and medium-sized companies to explore world markets.” Over the past three years, the Food Export Association of the Midwest’s branded program has reimbursed nearly $1 million to participating Wisconsin companies.

“The 50-percent reimbursement may make it possible for a company to participate in an international trade show or demonstrate a product in another country,” said Lisa Stout, international marketing consultant at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and coordinator of last year’s Japan Gourmet Trade Mission. The Stone Group of Green Bay was among those participating. “The Japan Gourmet Food Trade Mission was a breakthrough event for us. We were able to sell to multiple buyers and as result our exports doubled,” said Michael Stone, president. The company’s exports include berries.

Red Arrow International of Manitowoc also took advantage of the branded program last year. The company exports a liquid smoke product to more than 100 countries. “Breaking into exporting and maintaining a strong brand image can be challenging,” said Christopher Gutman, managing director of Red Arrow International. “The branded program really helped.”

Activities eligible for funding include:

·         Exhibits at international and some approved domestic trade shows

·         Advertising and public relations

·         In-store promotions and product demonstrations in other nations

·         Producing literature in other languages and modifying labels and packaging

·         Freight cost for samples

Eligible products include specialty foods and beverages, cheese and dairy products, pet food, supplements, flavorings and ingredients, feed companies, and other value-added food and agricultural products. Questions about qualifications, marketing plans, eligible reimbursements, and the application process can be directed to Lisa Stout at 608-224-5126; Food Export-Midwest at 312-334-9200; or online. Food Export Association of the Midwest USA is a private, non-profit association of Midwestern state agricultural promotion agencies that use federal, state, and industry resources to promote the export of Midwestern food and agricultural products. In 2007, Wisconsin agricultural exports exceeded $2 billion, a record.
(Posted 3-3-08)

Low-Interest Loans Available for Agricultural Producers

John Mackey has announced that Whole Foods Market will make $10 million available annually for loans to small local agricultural producers. Whole Foods Market has recently begun the design and initial implementation of the loan program. Applications are now being accepted. For more information on eligible uses of the funds and the application process, visit Whole Foods Market's web site at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/product/locallygrown/lplp/index.html.

(Posted 6-5-07)

Website Offers Free Housing Search Assistance

MADISON - Low-and moderate-income persons looking for affordable housing can access more than 113,000 free listings at www.wifrontdoorhousing.org. Housing providers can list their available units for free on this site.

"Use of the WIFrontDoorHousing database is at an all-time high," said Department of Commerce (Commerce) Secretary Mary P. Burke. "This is the most comprehensive affordable housing database in the nation. Through on-screen search locators, it simplifies the housing search and advertising process by offering prospective tenants free access to rental information and a free-of-charge listing service for housing providers."

The WIFrontDoor Housing website provides a statewide directory of affordable public and private housing units available for low- to moderate-income households. These individuals can quickly access the database and choose housing units that best meet their needs. Housing providers can quickly and efficiently list affordable housing units, post vacancies and remove leased units. They can list property amenities, post photographs, rental agreements and much more. The site was developed by the Bureau of Housing with generous financial support from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

Property owners and managers can list rental units by visiting the site, and signing up for a free account. For additional support or program information, send an email to fdhelp@commerce.state.wi.us. For additional information on Commerce housing programs, contact Marty Evanson, Department of Commerce, at 608/267-2713.
(Posted 5-14-07)

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