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7 Rivers Alliance - June 2016 e-Newsletter

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Dear Investors and Members,

June is a great month for reflecting on the first half of the year.  During our first six months,  we offered 5 regional programs in all three states and served more than 400 participants. We launched our 2016 Business Survey. Have you taken the survey? Here is the link and more information is provided below. It only takes 10 minutes and the information helps us to better to serve you. 

We also partnered with the River Valley Newspaper group to launch the 2016 Rising Stars Under 40 recognition program. Have you nominated a young professional from our organization?  There is still time.  Click on this link to nominate your rising star. 

All of the programs that were offered in the first half of the year will support our major project that we will be launching later this summer: The WISE plan:  Workforce Innovation for a Strong Economy, our major workforce attraction and retention project.  We look forward to sharing this exciting regional workforce project with you as it rolls out in the upcoming months.

Read on for the exciting programs going on in our region.  It is a great time to work and live in the 7 Rivers Region.

Sincerely,

Lisa Herr
Executive Director

Last Chance to Register.... 

 
The 2016 Business and Community Wellness Summit brings together corporate and community best practices for increasing the health and wellness of workers and their families. Strategies, policies and programs for improving wellness will be provided by leading communities. Learn how to work with healthcare and insurance providers to access services that benefit employees and the community

Topics Include:
  • The Business Case for Wellness 
  • Community Wellness Best Practices 
  • How to Assess Community and Employee Needs and Desired Outcomes 
  • Work site Policies that Promote Health
  • Employee Wellness and It's "Post Health Reform" Competitive Advantage  
Click Here to Register the Business and Wellness Summit!
FULL HOUSE FOR RURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING SUMMIT!
 
   

Thank you to ITBEC and Monroe County for sponsoring our event Rural Workforce Housing Summit! The event educated employers seeking housing options for their workforce, commercial developers looking for new housing opportunities, along with the general public about new housing trends in The 7 Rivers Region.  The event showcased a panel about the state of housing from a realtors perspective, state and federal funding opportunities, attributes of a successful funding programs for housing, and examples of prosperous housing on Brownfield sites. 

CLICK HERE to see Presenters PowerPoint Presentations! 

NOMINATE YOUR LOCAL RISING STAR!   
 
Let’s celebrate the rising young stars in the 7 Rivers Region- the up-and-coming entrepreneurs and public servants who are making our region a better place to live

The River Valley Media Group and The 7 Rivers Alliance have joined together to launch a regional program to recognize rising stars, celebrate their achievements and encourage them to stay in the region.  The 7 Rivers Alliance and the La Crosse Tribune are seeking nominations for our Rising Stars Under 40 contest.

Click Here to Nominate!
In The Bag: A Great Success!


Thank you to Juneau County and LYNXX Lemonweir Valley Telecom for sponsoring our In The Bag event. This event educated rural community leaders on options for providing grocery to their residents. The event showcased traditional grocery models, such as Gordy’s Markets and Hansen IGA,  as well as emerging alternatives for smaller populations, such as the Iowa Food Hub. Food cooperatives, farmers markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) were also explored to educate leaders on the growing trends in rural grocery.

CLICK HERE to review Presenters PowerPoint Presentations 
ExporTech: Feeding the World
July 20th, August 23, and September 27

All Sessions will be held at Organic Valley
509 Organic Drive, Cashton, WI  54619

A specialized ExporTech for manufacturers in the food, beverage and agriculture industries. Three-day series will target topics including specific food laws, food labeling, market potential, sales and distribution channels, logistics, state and federal resources, and operationalizing your international plan. Dennis Lynch, a 33-year veteran of international trade, distinguished instructor, and adviser to a variety of food and agricultural firms, will be a primary presenter. Program is supported by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. 

Click here to register and learn more. 
Elroy Investment Opportunity 


Looking for a building for you to expand and grow your business in? This extremely high-end property with expansion potential, a jet accessible airport within 20 minutes has all the serenity required for any type of creative/entrepreneurial business enterprise. High-tech/office space. 1,500 square ft of Factory/warehouse space. Conference room - dining room with kitchen space. And a sound studio designed by Columbia Recording.This is an amazing piece of property sitting high atop 26 acs. with southern exposure and scenic views.

CLICK HERE to see the Listing and learn more!

The 2016 Business Survey is now available on our websitePlease take the survey and share with other businesses.  Our goal is to reach 200 companies and organizations. The collected information will be used to plan future programs and advocate for policies that advance business growth and improve the vitality of our communities.

This year, we have streamlined the survey and added sector specific questions for manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, retail and financial services.  The information collected from the survey will be collected, analyzed by county and presented at our annual State of the Region event in November 2016.

Take the survey now! 


 

Like, follow, and link with us!

Want to stay updated on the latest events? Click the links below to connect!

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter. 
Connect with us on LinkedIn. 
 
10th Annual Volk Field Small Business Conference

           


The Volk Field small business conference has drawn over 2,000 attendees across the region in the past 10 years. Businesses interested in contracting with federal, state, tribal and local governments should attend. There will be range of presentations, panels and meetings with agency and prime contractor representatives for small and large businesses who would like to start or increase their government sales!


CLICK HERE to read more and register! 
 

BUSINESS SUCCESSION: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP            
AND INNOVATION
 
 

        


Whether you are interested in selling, buying or developing a business, this program is for you!  Learn how to effectively build, manage and preserve your business for future generations while enhancing your financial and wealth building potential. Join our panel of experts to explore the considerations that impact effective business growth and transition strategies.

CLICK HERE to learn more and register!

Save The Date:
2016 Wisconsin Regional Small Town Downtown Forums

Small towns have unique issues and needs that are often very different from those of larger communities. These forums are designed to bring together individuals interested in promoting, enhancing and preserving Wisconsin’s small communities. Those individuals who live in, work in, or help shape communities with populations of 1,500 or fewer are invited to attend these sessions to learn from each other through case studies,roundtables and discussion groups. 

Who Should Attend? 
Community leaders, elected officials, volunteers, business leaders, educators, local and regional economic development, civic, and planning organizations.

La Farge—September 7, 2016, 12:00—4:30 p.m.
 

Economic Development Board Approves Awards to Support Over $43 Million in Capital Investments



The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board today awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to eight companies for job creation and expansion projects. These awards will assist in the creation of 1,275 jobs, retention of 53 jobs and will result in over $43 million in new capital investment for the state. The board also approved innovation funding for six startups.

CLICK HERE to read the whole article 
 
$19.6 Million Awarded to Iowa Communities for Infrastructure and Housing Development 

 Awards totaling $19.6 million were announced today for 59 communities across the state.  The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support 59 community investment projects.  The federally funded grants were awarded for community facilities, infrastructure improvements, downtown revitalization and single family owner-occupied housing rehabilitation.

CLICK HERE to read the whole article 
 
Hands On Training for Businesses: Marketing your Business Online 


Small to mid-sized companies, start-ups, and solo entrepreneurs can take advantage of this great opportunity. Pick a session or two and get started today!

Sessions Include:

- Email Marketing
-Online Presence
-Website Platforms 
-Social Media 
-Digital Tools 
-Search Engine Optimization 


CLICK HERE to register or learn more 
Small Business Development Centers 



Most every business begins as a small business. While some stay small in scale and scope, others continually grow and diversify.

No matter how your business may grow or change, one thing remains constant: Your profitability and growth depend on your ability to make sound business decisions.

Our statewide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide the professional expertise and guidance that every small business owner needs to flourish in today's competitive and ever-changing business world.

CLICK HERE to learn more 

Copyright © 2015. 7 Rivers Alliance. All rights reserved.

Mailing address:
601 Seventh Street North
Suite 400
La Crosse, WI 54601


Contact Us:
Phone: 608-787-8777
Email: Info
@7riversalliance.org

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