Economic Development
Identified Challenges:
• Targeted business development
• Sufficient critical talent for employers
• Stable economic development financing
• Engaged and informed civic leadership
• Modern Infrastructure
Economic Development
Accomplishments
• Target Industries – a) medical related b) early stage technologies c) electronic & sensor businesses (area of emphasis – Co. headquarters)
• EDC, County and City of Eau Claire allocate dollars to RBF, which will spur start-up financing and downtown façade renovations
• County passed Recovery Zone Resolution to help private sector finance projects in 2010.
• SMARTT Network – 1900+ talent
– Monthly newsletters providing information on region
– 17 employer subscribers – expanding to region in 2010
– Marketing agreements – UW-Stout, UW-Eau Claire, CVTC and WITC
• Airport – Access to 2 international airports – within 90 minutes
• Turning Product Ideas into local companies
– Idea Pathway
– Idea Challenge
– Family & Friends Innovation Fund
Identified Challenges
Next Steps
• Civic Engagement
• Economic Development Funding
– Projects and Programs
– All economic development programs in jeopardy
• EDC’s Financial programs being restructured
– Spur more start-up capital for corporate offices
– Spur advancement of local product ideas