MONROE - When Mike Johnson, executive director of the Green County Development Corporation, found out his time in Monroe had ended, all of the emotions he felt about leaving were summed up in one word: bittersweet.
A job opportunity in his hometown of Hudson as community development director was too good to pass on. His last day with GCDC is today.
Johnson began in community development with a bachelor's degree in community and regional planning from Iowa State University. After progressing quickly through the professional ranks with a job in development in Des Moines, Iowa, Johnson seized on the chance to return to Wisconsin.
With a brother living nearby in Madison and his parents residing near Lake Wisconsin, Johnson moved readily. He said the birth of his first child was a motivation to move nearer to his parents as well.
For four years, Johnson has worked to provide a number of services to the county with economic development in mind. Bringing necessary resources together has been part of his work, from making connections to building partnerships as a way to encourage growth.
"It's hard to say we do just one thing," Johnson said. "There's just so much we can help."
The public/private partnership has encouraged development in a number of ways, from small business growth to rural broadband. Better internet infrastructure is one project Johnson said he wished he could stay to see finished.
"I certainly wish I'd had more time to work on the rural broadband program we just started," Johnson said. "It's something that has had a lot of growing support from all areas of Green County. It's an exciting project. I'm excited to see what happens with it."
Awareness of the functions of GCDC has been at the forefront of Johnson's time here as well. He said he was glad to have a board that is supportive and cooperative of the organization's endeavors to encourage growth in Green County.
"First and foremost, it's probably really increasing awareness of all the work GCDC does throughout the county," Johnson said. "The organization is in a good place."
An incubator project, which focuses on growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs in the area, is another endeavor Johnson wants to see flourish despite his departure. It is an important part of the economic development GCDC strives for, Johnson said.
Leaving a well-liked job has been a difficult step for Johnson.
"This is home too," Johnson said of Monroe. "I am grateful for the opportunity this community, and this county, has afforded my family and me. People have made it easy for me professionally, and for my family, but (Hudson's) still home."
A job opportunity in his hometown of Hudson as community development director was too good to pass on. His last day with GCDC is today.
Johnson began in community development with a bachelor's degree in community and regional planning from Iowa State University. After progressing quickly through the professional ranks with a job in development in Des Moines, Iowa, Johnson seized on the chance to return to Wisconsin.
With a brother living nearby in Madison and his parents residing near Lake Wisconsin, Johnson moved readily. He said the birth of his first child was a motivation to move nearer to his parents as well.
For four years, Johnson has worked to provide a number of services to the county with economic development in mind. Bringing necessary resources together has been part of his work, from making connections to building partnerships as a way to encourage growth.
"It's hard to say we do just one thing," Johnson said. "There's just so much we can help."
The public/private partnership has encouraged development in a number of ways, from small business growth to rural broadband. Better internet infrastructure is one project Johnson said he wished he could stay to see finished.
"I certainly wish I'd had more time to work on the rural broadband program we just started," Johnson said. "It's something that has had a lot of growing support from all areas of Green County. It's an exciting project. I'm excited to see what happens with it."
Awareness of the functions of GCDC has been at the forefront of Johnson's time here as well. He said he was glad to have a board that is supportive and cooperative of the organization's endeavors to encourage growth in Green County.
"First and foremost, it's probably really increasing awareness of all the work GCDC does throughout the county," Johnson said. "The organization is in a good place."
An incubator project, which focuses on growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs in the area, is another endeavor Johnson wants to see flourish despite his departure. It is an important part of the economic development GCDC strives for, Johnson said.
Leaving a well-liked job has been a difficult step for Johnson.
"This is home too," Johnson said of Monroe. "I am grateful for the opportunity this community, and this county, has afforded my family and me. People have made it easy for me professionally, and for my family, but (Hudson's) still home."