Congratulations to Lakeland University on their expanding partnerships with Bemis Manufacturing and MilliporeSigma! |
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Economic Progress Updates |
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Accelerate Sheboygan County Selects 2021 First and Second Place Winners |
Sheboygan County, WI — Accelerate Sheboygan County is an annual program that assists entrepreneurs and innovators in taking their ideas, products, or existing businesses to the next level. On Wednesday, November 17th, five finalists pitched their ideas to a panel of professional judges.
Accelerate Sheboygan County has selected Benjamin Leibham from Sheboygan, WI as the 2021 business challenge first place winner. Leibham received the $10,000 grand prize as well as a $1,000 technical assistance grant for finishing in the top five to put towards his business, Alto Gear. Sarah Harmeling of Waldo, WI, came in second place and received a $1,000 technical support grant for placing in the top five, as well as an additional $500 for her business, Homeschool Art Box.
Leibham and Harmeling will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas at the New North Regional Pitch Competition on Thursday, December 2nd as well. This competition will take place at Urban Hub in downtown Green Bay with networking starting at 5 p.m. and the first pitch starting at 5:30 p.m.
The additional Accelerate Sheboygan County finalists from all throughout Sheboygan County, each with a unique business idea include:
- Beah Travis - Belladonna the Film - Plymouth, WI
- Cody Ellens - CK Innovations - Cedar Grove, WI
- Andy Bartell - A&M Professional Services - Sheboygan, WI
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Accelerate Sheboygan County would like to thank all of its 2021 applicants and sponsors that made the challenge possible. The 2022 Accelerate Sheboygan County Business Challenge is now open. Visit AccelSC.com to apply today!
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Lakeland & Bemis Partner to Expand Employees' Skills |
Lakeland University — Lakeland University and Bemis Manufacturing have created a way for Bemis’ third-shift employees to expand their professional skill set that fits with their work schedule and their bank account.
Bemis employees have access to a Lakeland course entitled Pathways to Success: An Introduction to Business one night a week before their work shift at Bemis.
Students will learn more about the business-economics of the workplace to develop an appreciation for the work, people and personal skills essential for success. Students will also become familiar with the economic environment in which businesses operate, organizational structures, functional areas, career options, terminology, ethics and protocols of business.
The course will be taught by Bemis Vice President of Human Resources Mike Klein, providing an opportunity to delve into real workforce examples that will be familiar to students taking the course.
"We appreciate the ability to partner with Lakeland to offer professional development for our employees in a way that works with their third-shift work schedules," Klein said. "This course will give our employees a better appreciation and understanding for how Bemis and similar businesses operate."
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The course will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00-9:15 p.m. at Bemis from January 18 through May 3, 2022. Email getstarted@lakeland.edu for more information about the course.
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Local Life Science Company MilliporeSigma Introduces Students to STEM Careers with Cooperative Education Program |
Lakeland University — "You learn exactly what you want to pursue in your career." That’s what Vincent Hoderny, former Lakeland University chemistry student, had to say about his cooperative (co-op) experience at the Sheboygan Falls site of MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
As the first student to participate in the Sheboygan Falls co-op program in early 2021, Vincent now works as an associate production scientist at MilliporeSigma.
By providing a direct relationship between the classroom and employment, the co-op program helps strengthen the community by hiring local college students who complete the program.
"The co-op program allows students to get tangible experience in jobs they are curious about while being a contributing member of the workforce," said Jeff Lasselle, head of MilliporeSigma’s Sheboygan Falls manufacturing site and Milwaukee labs. "It provides students in our local community the opportunity to learn about our trade and potentially get their foot in the door with a growing global company that supports a large variety of products."
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Sheboygan’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.8% in February 2021 to 3.3% in July 2021—amplifying Sheboygan as an area full of job opportunities and employment growth, making it an ideal place for college graduates to start their careers. |
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Sheboygan County Budget Summary 2022 Adopted Budget |
Sheboygan County — Learn about Sheboygan County's 2022 Adopted Budget:
Q: What is the overall amount of the Sheboygan County budget?
A: $167 million, which is predominately a combination of federal and state grant revenue, charges for services, and local property taxes.
Q: What is the total property tax levy for 2022 and is it increasing or decreasing?
A: $52 million. The property tax levy is increasing by 1.14%, or $585,430.
Q: How successful has Sheboygan County been with limiting property tax levy increases annually?
A: Very successful. Over the last ten years, the average annual increase of the property tax levy has been 1.22%.
Q: Is the tax rate increasing or decreasing and what does that mean for my property taxes?
A: This is the 6th consecutive year the property tax rate has gone down. Sheboygan County’s property tax rate is $4.77 per thousand of property value, which is a decrease of 4.01%, or 19 cents, from 2021. For example, property taxes will decrease $19 on a $100,000 home.
Q: If the tax rate is decreasing, is something being cut?
A: No, the 2022 budget preserves all core programs and services.
Q: Are there any special projects planned for the year ahead?
A: Yes. Below are a few examples of key initiatives planned for 2022:
- Investments in staffing and facility upgrades at Rocky Knoll Healthcare Center to continue our 5-star quality care.
- Enhancing child welfare and behavioral health services.
- Maintaining and improving our transportation system consisting of 450 miles of county roads and the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport.
- Expanding the Alternatives to Incarceration Unit in the Sheriff’s Department.
- Relocating Economic Support to the Aging & Disability Resource Center in Sheboygan Falls.
- Replacement of the County’s asphalt plant. The new asphalt plant will utilize more recycled asphalt that will ultimately reduce our reliance on raw materials, fuel, and asphalt oil.
- Exterior restoration of the Taylor House at the Sheboygan County Museum.
- Recreational and environmental enhancements at both the Sheboygan County Marsh and Amsterdam Dunes.
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Sheboygan County has a track record of maintaining healthy fiscal reserves and an excellent bond rating, which is a measurement of creditworthiness. This allows Sheboygan County to receive competitive bonding, or low interest rates, for capital improvements. |
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Onion River Solar Project Officially Transitions to Alliant Energy |
Sheboygan County, WI — Alliant Energy reached a major milestone this week as it acquired ownership of the 150-megawatt (MW) Onion River Solar Project, located in the town of Holland in Sheboygan County. The Onion River Solar Project is the sixth and final project Alliant Energy acquired as part of an approved filing with the Public Service Commission to add 675 MW of solar energy generation in Wisconsin. Alliant Energy acquired the project from Ranger Power and D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and is contracting with a subsidiary of DESRI to construct the project.
"As global leaders seek solutions to reduce carbon emissions, Alliant Energy is accelerating the American transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future," said Ben Lipari, director of project development and customer solutions at Alliant Energy. "Our investments in renewable energy are reducing Alliant Energy’s carbon footprint, expanding access to affordable energy and helping to build stronger communities. The Onion River Solar Project will create hundreds of jobs, spur local economic development and deliver long-term cost savings for our customers. Ranger Power has been a valuable partner throughout the development phase of this project and we appreciate their ongoing commitment to solar energy generation in Wisconsin."
This 1,000-acre, 150-MW solar project will create approximately 250 jobs. Construction will begin in the spring with a targeted completion date in the fall of 2023. Once operational, the project will generate enough electricity to power nearly 40,000 Wisconsin homes. Combined, the town and county will receive an estimated $600,000 in annual shared revenues for the next 30 years to be used as determined by local communities and their elected officials.
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Construction on the 1,000-acre, 150-megawatt solar project in Sheboygan County will begin in the spring. |
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Sheboygan County Districts and City Wards, Redrawn After 2020 Census, Will Change Before Spring Elections |
Municipalities redraw ward and district boundaries every 10 years following the release of U.S. Census data to account for population shifts.
For instance, over the last 10 years, the U.S. population grew by 7.4% to 331 million, while the population of Wisconsin grew 3.6% to nearly 5.9 million, the population of Sheboygan County grew 2.2% to about 118,000 and the population of the city of Sheboygan grew by 1.3% to just fewer than 50,000 residents.
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The county board adopted a new map of Sheboygan County districts this month, after the release of data from the 2020 Census.
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Gov. Evers, DWD Announce $20 Million in Workforce Advancement Initiative Grants to 11 Regions in Wisconsin |
Madison, WI — Gov. Tony Evers today, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), announced $20 million in grant awards to 11 regions in Wisconsin to help more than 2,300 Wisconsinites as part of the much-anticipated Worker Advancement Initiative. The initiative, announced earlier this year and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will serve Wisconsinites whose previous employment has not come back since the pandemic, as well as those who were not attached to or were not successful in the labor market prior to the pandemic, by offering subsidized employment and skills training opportunities with local employers.
"We're working hard to make sure Wisconsin rebounds and recovers from the pandemic, but we know part of that work is ensuring workers, families, and communities are bouncing back with us," said Gov. Evers. "Whether through job training or providing quality childcare, affordable housing, or accessible transportation, our workforce innovation funds will support folks working to overcome challenges specific to their community and their family and help get workers back in the workforce so we can ensure our state's economic recovery."
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Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced new grants that will help reduce barriers to employment for more than 2,300 Wisconsinites to get back to work.
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'He's a Supporter of All': Empowering Member of Sheboygan Community Earns 2021 ATHENA Award |
Sheboygan Press — Sheboygan's fifth annual ATHENA Leadership Awards were hosted Nov. 11, honoring those who promote and empower women to higher levels of achievement.
The award is presented to both women and men who have achieved professional excellence, contribute time and energy to improving their community, and actively and continuously assist women in attaining their full potential.
Although the award is typically presented to a woman, men can also be nominated and win the award, which was the case for this year's ceremony.
"I would not have predicted me," Gallianetti said when asked about receiving the award. "Although I'm flattered to get the award, I think it's important to have a woman win."
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Congratulations to Sheboygan native David Gallianett for winning the ATHENA Leadership Award! |
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Upcoming Events
SCEDC Office Hours - Village of Cedar Grove
Date: November 23rd
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place: Cedar Grove Public Library, 131 Van Altena Ave., Cedar Grove
SCEDC Office Hours - Village of Random Lake
Date: December 9th
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place: Random Lake Village Office, 96 Russell Dr., Random Lake
SCEDC Office Hours - Town of Sheboygan
Date: December 14th
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place: Town Hall, 4020 Technology Pkwy. Sheboygan
SCEDC Office Hours - City of Plymouth
Date: December 16th
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place: Plymouth Utilities, 900 County Hwy PP, Plymouth
SCEDC Office Hours - Village of Oostburg
Date: December 21st
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place: Oostburg Municipal Building, 1140 Minnesota Ave., Oostburg
SCEDC Office Hours - City of Sheboygan Falls
Date: December 23rd
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place: City Hall, 375 Buffalo St., Sheboygan Falls
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Business Resources
Small Business Administration
Topics: general guidance and financial assistance
Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Topics: Workplace recommendations, response planning, recovery planning & more...
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SCEDC Contact Information
C: 920-946-9378
C: 920-452-2350
C: 920-980-0177
Ray York, Entrepreneurial Development Specialist
C: 920-946-9379
Wisconsin Internet of Things Council (WIoT)
C: 630-200-0786
Sala@WisconsinIoT.org
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