Dear Editor,
The Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County recently held a kickoff event for the five county Lakeshore Industry Cluster Initiative with over 115 attendees! The Initiative engages businesses in Industry Cluster Network Teams to analyze and leverage assets and opportunities for additional growth and development. Led by the Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County, the Initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Economic Development offices of Door, Calumet, Kewaunee and Sheboygan Counties; The New North; and Northeast Wisconsin and Lakeshore Technical Colleges.
Industry leaders in the Manufacturing, Food Processing/Agriculture, Energy, and Tourism Clusters are set to begin the second phase of the Initiative by completing region-wide asset mapping, which is scheduled to take place at the beginning of November. By participating in these sessions, Industry leaders will identify and inventory of key resources that can be utilized to help strengthen and grow our local economy.
This initiative gives both the private and public sector the opportunity to become involved in a proactive approach in helping control our own destiny as it relates to our economy. This collaboration of area Economic Development organizations has laid the foundation from which we all can work and the opportunity to help mold our local economy in a positive way.
Once the regional asset mapping is complete, Cluster teams will engage in industry specific asset mapping and value chain mapping, which will take place in late November.
Businesses that are directly involved with and businesses that serve or support the targeted industries are encouraged to become involved. To learn more about the Industry Cluster initiative or to become involved, contact Connie Loden at the Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County at 920-482-0540.
We appreciate your consideration in this opportunity in possibly growing your business and our local economy by joining us in this important effort.
Mark Ring
EDC Board President
