Friday's Series story
Some bright spots locally, and a survey of what companies predict for the months ahead.
Editor's Note: This is the first in a weeklong Times' "Stretched Thin" series looking at how the weakened economy has affected business and daily life in Green County.
MONROE - Community events can be hit just as hard as any businesses by a slumping economy.
The Monroe Balloon Rally is just one example of an event that had to go it alone this year, after the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or MCCI, voted not to host it because of a lack of funds and volunteers.
The MCCI board reported it would not break even with the event, and if it rained the expense would damage the Chamber to the point that it would have to close its doors.
The Lion's Club canceled its 2009 Berghoff and Blues Fest, after reporting the investment to host the events was too large to risk if it also were rained out.
A well attended local event, Cheese Days, last year didn't change much, according to Green County Tourism Director Noreen Rueckert; however, she promoted the event "more than ever."
"Everything seemed pretty much the same," she said. "I just thought it was time to step things up with more PR. I contacted everyone I knew to get coverage."
And so far this year, Monroe Main Street accounts show community funding still is about 50 percent short.
Without fulfilling its community funding, Monroe Main Street accreditation is threatened.
Monroe Main Street depends on three sources of general funding - Business Improvement District, the City of Monroe and community funding. Each generated about $27,500 this year.
Monroe Main Street Executive Director Barb Nelson said additional sources of funding, such as sponsorships, are coming in to cover some of the program's events specifically.
Sponsorships for the Concerts on the Square have generated more than $3,000, and about $3,000 for the Chili Fest. Monroe Main Street also collects user fees from crafters at events and registration fees from cooks for the Chili Fest.
"And there is a lot of in-kind support. So, it's not as bad as it looks," Nelson said.
When Monroe Main Street first began, it received a three-year commitment of support from the community's businesses and individuals. January 2007 was the last year of the term.
While 2009 pledge letters sent out in October have not yet garnered the expected funds, Nelson said 2008 saw some new business and individual supporters.
"Any new supporters is very encouraging," Nelson said. "This economic time isn't any better for them."
Fortunately, Wisconsin's economy has been doing better compared to the country, Nelson said.
Wisconsin ranked 32nd in the U.S. in unemployment at 8.9 percent in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Michigan was the highest at 14.1 percent.
Wisconsin's economic stability can be attributed to its diversity, Nelson said.
"That's not just because of agriculture. Wisconsin has a higher rate of owner/operator farmers (than other states), but the population is generally more financially conservative. Business owners pay more attention to inventory and their customers," she said.
One element of the Wisconsin Main Street program is promotion, which plans and hosts street festivals, parades and retail events to encourages shoppers, investors and visitors to come to Monroe's downtown.
Downtown events give business owners the opportunity to grab people into their establishment, Nelson said.
"Many businesses benefit by direct sales, and they get exposure so people know who they are and where they are. Once people know where you are, they tend to come back," she added.
Main Street's programs and events also have the ability to pull in partner groups, Nelson said.
"These are important threads that run through our community," Nelson said.
Organizations, such as Green County Humane Society, Special Olympics, Monroe Area Skatepark Enthusiasts, high school honor students, Green Haven Family Advocates, Sexual Assault and Recovery Program, have had a presence at events to raise funds.
The free Concerts on the Square have proven to be the most successful Main Street events, bringing in hundreds of music lovers. Food establishments benefit before and during the two-hour concerts.
This year, the city granted the Green County Humane Society a temporary license to serve beer, and was pleased enough with their returns that they requested and were granted temporary licenses for all the concerts.
Nelson expects new businesses like Barrett's Brick Cafe, Pancho and Lefty's, Kookaburras and Sequel's, opening on or just off the Square will benefit from downtown events.
"The timing of their opening is perfect," Nelson said.
But not all events are huge successes.
Diva Days, a weekend of wine tasting, a luncheon, fashion show, door prizes and shopping geared toward women, was canceled this year after pre-registration was only at one-third what was needed.
At the price being asked, at least 100 people were needed to attend the main luncheon event at Turner Hall, Nelson explained.
"There was not enough response, and we don't know why," Nelson said.
Nelson cited moving the event from spring to fall as one possible contributor to the lack of responses.
In comparison, "New Glarus has established dates for their events, year after year and at the same time of the year. They are promoted and have a following," she said.
MONROE - Community events can be hit just as hard as any businesses by a slumping economy.
The Monroe Balloon Rally is just one example of an event that had to go it alone this year, after the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or MCCI, voted not to host it because of a lack of funds and volunteers.
The MCCI board reported it would not break even with the event, and if it rained the expense would damage the Chamber to the point that it would have to close its doors.
The Lion's Club canceled its 2009 Berghoff and Blues Fest, after reporting the investment to host the events was too large to risk if it also were rained out.
A well attended local event, Cheese Days, last year didn't change much, according to Green County Tourism Director Noreen Rueckert; however, she promoted the event "more than ever."
"Everything seemed pretty much the same," she said. "I just thought it was time to step things up with more PR. I contacted everyone I knew to get coverage."
And so far this year, Monroe Main Street accounts show community funding still is about 50 percent short.
Without fulfilling its community funding, Monroe Main Street accreditation is threatened.
Monroe Main Street depends on three sources of general funding - Business Improvement District, the City of Monroe and community funding. Each generated about $27,500 this year.
Monroe Main Street Executive Director Barb Nelson said additional sources of funding, such as sponsorships, are coming in to cover some of the program's events specifically.
Sponsorships for the Concerts on the Square have generated more than $3,000, and about $3,000 for the Chili Fest. Monroe Main Street also collects user fees from crafters at events and registration fees from cooks for the Chili Fest.
"And there is a lot of in-kind support. So, it's not as bad as it looks," Nelson said.
When Monroe Main Street first began, it received a three-year commitment of support from the community's businesses and individuals. January 2007 was the last year of the term.
While 2009 pledge letters sent out in October have not yet garnered the expected funds, Nelson said 2008 saw some new business and individual supporters.
"Any new supporters is very encouraging," Nelson said. "This economic time isn't any better for them."
Fortunately, Wisconsin's economy has been doing better compared to the country, Nelson said.
Wisconsin ranked 32nd in the U.S. in unemployment at 8.9 percent in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Michigan was the highest at 14.1 percent.
Wisconsin's economic stability can be attributed to its diversity, Nelson said.
"That's not just because of agriculture. Wisconsin has a higher rate of owner/operator farmers (than other states), but the population is generally more financially conservative. Business owners pay more attention to inventory and their customers," she said.
One element of the Wisconsin Main Street program is promotion, which plans and hosts street festivals, parades and retail events to encourages shoppers, investors and visitors to come to Monroe's downtown.
Downtown events give business owners the opportunity to grab people into their establishment, Nelson said.
"Many businesses benefit by direct sales, and they get exposure so people know who they are and where they are. Once people know where you are, they tend to come back," she added.
Main Street's programs and events also have the ability to pull in partner groups, Nelson said.
"These are important threads that run through our community," Nelson said.
Organizations, such as Green County Humane Society, Special Olympics, Monroe Area Skatepark Enthusiasts, high school honor students, Green Haven Family Advocates, Sexual Assault and Recovery Program, have had a presence at events to raise funds.
The free Concerts on the Square have proven to be the most successful Main Street events, bringing in hundreds of music lovers. Food establishments benefit before and during the two-hour concerts.
This year, the city granted the Green County Humane Society a temporary license to serve beer, and was pleased enough with their returns that they requested and were granted temporary licenses for all the concerts.
Nelson expects new businesses like Barrett's Brick Cafe, Pancho and Lefty's, Kookaburras and Sequel's, opening on or just off the Square will benefit from downtown events.
"The timing of their opening is perfect," Nelson said.
But not all events are huge successes.
Diva Days, a weekend of wine tasting, a luncheon, fashion show, door prizes and shopping geared toward women, was canceled this year after pre-registration was only at one-third what was needed.
At the price being asked, at least 100 people were needed to attend the main luncheon event at Turner Hall, Nelson explained.
"There was not enough response, and we don't know why," Nelson said.
Nelson cited moving the event from spring to fall as one possible contributor to the lack of responses.
In comparison, "New Glarus has established dates for their events, year after year and at the same time of the year. They are promoted and have a following," she said.