MONROE - In the world of local development, success is closely tied to the connections you make. At least, that's what Cara Carper, newly hired executive director of the Green County Development Corporation, sees as a vital piece of her upcoming role.
"This job is all about relationships," Carper said. "And that's the fun part. I mean, that's really exciting."
Since 2015, she has served as executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, a position which provided experience in promoting Green County as a promising place for people to live, visit, and start or frequent businesses. Connection to area businesses has been a focal point of her job since she transitioned to the chamber from the county University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Over two years, Carper spent a number of hours working alongside former GCDC Executive Director Mike Johnson, who recently vacated the position for a promising job in his hometown of Hudson, Wisconsin. Along with former Monroe Director of Community Development Martin Shanks, Carper learned to conduct business retention surveys.
"I've been familiar with and helped with some of the things that Mike's been doing," Carper said. "So when he left, I was sad, but I thought, 'you know, that's a job I could do.'"
A number of other programs already in place show promise to Carper, who said the plan is to continue the progression of current projects. The revolving loan fund for county businesses was one she will oversee in its initial days. Listing resources like the recently instituted Green County Volunteer Network, annual job fairs hosted through Blackhawk Technical College and service-oriented group Green County leaders, Carper noted that the program already in place is a positive one.
"I'm stepping into a position where it's an established organization that's doing great things," Carper said. "It's an organization that doesn't do things on its own. I've got all of these incredible resources all around me."
She added that the volunteer network can be a tool that is especially useful to retain residents who may not be oriented toward group participation but still wish to aid their community in some way. With the added investment, local people are less likely to relocate, Carper said.
Lafayette County, and more specifically, Wiota, is where Carper grew up. She moved back after roughly two decades away. Since then, Carper has remained invested in the success of the area.
"I used to work county-wide and so the chance to work county-wide again is something I'm really looking forward to," Carper said. "There are a lot of relationships out there I already have, but there's a lot more to build. Finding out what's going on in all of the different communities, that's pretty exciting."
Carper said she looks forward to returning to work that envelopes the needs of communities throughout Green County. Part of her positivity stems from knowledge that while she is familiar with a number of people, she still has many to meet.
"I'm the luckiest human on the planet," Carper said. "It's going to be a great job."
Carper is scheduled to leave her office at Monroe Chamber of Commerce behind to move roughly two blocks away, at the heart of the downtown Square. She will begin her new job at the Green County Courthouse on Monday.
"This job is all about relationships," Carper said. "And that's the fun part. I mean, that's really exciting."
Since 2015, she has served as executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, a position which provided experience in promoting Green County as a promising place for people to live, visit, and start or frequent businesses. Connection to area businesses has been a focal point of her job since she transitioned to the chamber from the county University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Over two years, Carper spent a number of hours working alongside former GCDC Executive Director Mike Johnson, who recently vacated the position for a promising job in his hometown of Hudson, Wisconsin. Along with former Monroe Director of Community Development Martin Shanks, Carper learned to conduct business retention surveys.
"I've been familiar with and helped with some of the things that Mike's been doing," Carper said. "So when he left, I was sad, but I thought, 'you know, that's a job I could do.'"
A number of other programs already in place show promise to Carper, who said the plan is to continue the progression of current projects. The revolving loan fund for county businesses was one she will oversee in its initial days. Listing resources like the recently instituted Green County Volunteer Network, annual job fairs hosted through Blackhawk Technical College and service-oriented group Green County leaders, Carper noted that the program already in place is a positive one.
"I'm stepping into a position where it's an established organization that's doing great things," Carper said. "It's an organization that doesn't do things on its own. I've got all of these incredible resources all around me."
She added that the volunteer network can be a tool that is especially useful to retain residents who may not be oriented toward group participation but still wish to aid their community in some way. With the added investment, local people are less likely to relocate, Carper said.
Lafayette County, and more specifically, Wiota, is where Carper grew up. She moved back after roughly two decades away. Since then, Carper has remained invested in the success of the area.
"I used to work county-wide and so the chance to work county-wide again is something I'm really looking forward to," Carper said. "There are a lot of relationships out there I already have, but there's a lot more to build. Finding out what's going on in all of the different communities, that's pretty exciting."
Carper said she looks forward to returning to work that envelopes the needs of communities throughout Green County. Part of her positivity stems from knowledge that while she is familiar with a number of people, she still has many to meet.
"I'm the luckiest human on the planet," Carper said. "It's going to be a great job."
Carper is scheduled to leave her office at Monroe Chamber of Commerce behind to move roughly two blocks away, at the heart of the downtown Square. She will begin her new job at the Green County Courthouse on Monday.