MONROE - Innovation in Green County? Absolutely, promises a promotional video for "Greenovation."
The Green County Development Corporation developed Greenovation, a mash-up of the words Green County and innovation, nearly a year ago as a way to ensure the county sees growth through its strategic plan put in place in 2013. A promotional video explaining the project is available online at Youtube; search GCDC 2016 Greenovation.
Michael Johnson, GCDC executive director, said the main objective of Greenovation is to encourage investment in the area - both new growth in the county and also support for existing businesses.
"We want to focus on our existing businesses, too, and helping them grow," Johnson said. "It offers a roadway as we look forward with the organization and to the future."
The plan's goal is to build the future of Green County's economy through partnerships between government bodies and business owners. An additional goal is to make projects a possibility and provide access to information to economic development incentives for current and future business owners.
The Greenovation project uses different strategies, among them focusing on growth through continued meetings among the county's largest employers, and to identify funding sources for businesses to either expand or be retained within the area.
Erik Huschitt, vice president of operations and general and commodities manager for Badger State Ethanol, said the connections are an important piece of Greenovation.
"The thing I am most impressed with is having so many different partners in the county available to communicate," Huschitt said. "It builds cooperation between these different factions of the area. It's very important you have the engagement that this is hoping for."
Huschitt added that Badger State Ethanol has been an investor in Greenovation for more than a year because it believes in the program's success.
"The changes for success increase immensely rather than relying on luck," Huschitt said.
Another strategy tracked 19 percent growth in innovation and entrepreneurship within Green County. The plans also outline the continued effort to provide an updated small business guide online.
Klondike Cheese Company is the most recent investor in Greenovation. Luke Buholzer, vice president of sales, said because the company is focused on local development, it was an important step for the company.
"Overall, it's a good project, a good program," Buholzer said. "If the community grows from it, then we will benefit."
Other strategies include outlined plans to aid employers in gaining quality workers while researching available property to fit business needs, and working to make the county's businesses the best in their field through education programs of industry trends.
"It helps to have a focus instead of just sort of throwing things against the wall," Buholzer said. "I think it will be a successful program."
The Green County Development Corporation developed Greenovation, a mash-up of the words Green County and innovation, nearly a year ago as a way to ensure the county sees growth through its strategic plan put in place in 2013. A promotional video explaining the project is available online at Youtube; search GCDC 2016 Greenovation.
Michael Johnson, GCDC executive director, said the main objective of Greenovation is to encourage investment in the area - both new growth in the county and also support for existing businesses.
"We want to focus on our existing businesses, too, and helping them grow," Johnson said. "It offers a roadway as we look forward with the organization and to the future."
The plan's goal is to build the future of Green County's economy through partnerships between government bodies and business owners. An additional goal is to make projects a possibility and provide access to information to economic development incentives for current and future business owners.
The Greenovation project uses different strategies, among them focusing on growth through continued meetings among the county's largest employers, and to identify funding sources for businesses to either expand or be retained within the area.
Erik Huschitt, vice president of operations and general and commodities manager for Badger State Ethanol, said the connections are an important piece of Greenovation.
"The thing I am most impressed with is having so many different partners in the county available to communicate," Huschitt said. "It builds cooperation between these different factions of the area. It's very important you have the engagement that this is hoping for."
Huschitt added that Badger State Ethanol has been an investor in Greenovation for more than a year because it believes in the program's success.
"The changes for success increase immensely rather than relying on luck," Huschitt said.
Another strategy tracked 19 percent growth in innovation and entrepreneurship within Green County. The plans also outline the continued effort to provide an updated small business guide online.
Klondike Cheese Company is the most recent investor in Greenovation. Luke Buholzer, vice president of sales, said because the company is focused on local development, it was an important step for the company.
"Overall, it's a good project, a good program," Buholzer said. "If the community grows from it, then we will benefit."
Other strategies include outlined plans to aid employers in gaining quality workers while researching available property to fit business needs, and working to make the county's businesses the best in their field through education programs of industry trends.
"It helps to have a focus instead of just sort of throwing things against the wall," Buholzer said. "I think it will be a successful program."