Good things happen at Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) every day! But I must admit, there were days in 2020 when it was harder to name those good things. As we begin the new year, it’s good to take a moment to reflect on our journey through 2020.

January — In Search of the Best

We kicked off 2020 focused on excellence as we rolled out our campaign to identify Green County’s top businesses and leaders. Who would receive GCDC’s Outstanding Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, and Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award? We would find out at the… 

February — GCDC Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner

The last, big gala event of dinner and networking (but we didn’t know that at the time), our Annual Meeting featured keynote speaker Rick Dickinson, president and CEO of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, who shared insights gained from Dubuque. Dickinson, along with Dubuque’s mayor and city manager, has been credited with leading Dubuque out of economic despair and into a shining example of city growth and prosperity. Dickinson’s presentation was relevant and sparked great ideas for all who attended.

We were honored to congratulate The Morning Mug, owned by Tracy Bartels, as the Outstanding Business of the Year. Chris and Ryan Wild took home the Entrepreneurial Spirit award for Badger State Cold Storage in Monroe. Recently-retired CEO and president of Monroe Clinic Mike Sanders received the Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award. 

Then the world changed.

March — COVID-19 and Business Assistance

GCDC joined as a member of Green County’s Emergency Operations Center Committee (EOC). The EOC includes officials from public health, emergency management, law enforcement, human services, health care, business, fire and EMS, coroner, schools, long-term care as well as county and municipal officials. Through this committee, GCDC works to provide trusted information and resources for our partner organizations and businesses. Initially the committee met twice a week, and we continue to meet once a week.

March also brought new federal programs through the CARES Act, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Unemployment payments for self-employed people. We worked closely with our Small Business Development Center (SBDC) consultants to provide details as they were released, and even step-by-step tutorials on how to apply for each program.

Not all was bad news in March. 

Broadband Grant

In March we were notified that Green County had received a Public Service Commission Grant of $1,000,371 for Bug Tussel Wireless to build a 51.5-mile fiber route from Blanchardville to New Glarus to Monroe to Brodhead. Planning for this route continues.

Workforce Housing Opportunities

More than 40 participants from every community in Green County dialed in for a webinar to learn about an innovative solution to incentivize single family housing. We continue to work with our partners at Southwest Community Action Program (SWCAP) to find solutions to build more homes in Green County. 

May — Reimagining Business

We hosted an online workshop to reimagine business as we emerge from COVID. “Your Business, 2.0” was designed to help businesses and nonprofits move beyond fear and imagine a brighter future. 

June — “We’re All In” Grant

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced $75 million of federal CARES Act funding for the creation of a “We’re All In” grant program for small businesses. Businesses could apply for $2,500 grants, and the application required a letter of acknowledgement from a community organization indicating the business was in operation in February 2020. GCDC, as well as Chambers of Commerce, Main Street and SBDC collectively wrote hundreds of letters to vouch for local businesses. 

July — Drive Through Job Fair

We worked with Blackhawk Technical College, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development to offer a Drive Through Job Fair in Monroe. More than 100 vehicles drove through to receive bags full of recruitment flyers for positions at local businesses. This new event was part of a statewide effort to let job seekers know about all of the great job opportunities in our area. This event was so successful, we repeated it in September.

August — Green County Businesses Invest in Growth Opportunity Fund

In August, GCDC met its goal to raise $750,000 for the Growth Opportunity Fund, a revolving loan tool used for development and expansion of newer small businesses. Thank you to all of our local funders!

September — Virtual Green County Leaders

Normally our in-person Green County Leaders classes would begin in September, but due to COVID-19, we pivoted away from full-day, in-person classes every month for 9 months to virtual sessions over the lunch hour. Classes continue each month on the second Wednesday of the month from noon-1:30 pm through May 2021.

October — Taking Action to Support Childcare

Childcare is essential for our families, our workforce, and our community, but the pandemic is having a significant impact on childcare services in our communities. To help address the significant need in Green County for high quality childcare services, United Way of Green County and GCDC teamed up to support regulated childcare providers and increase the number of regulated providers in the county. 

United Way continues to accept donations to provide additional resources and support to childcare providers in Green County. 

November — GCDC Receives Broadband Grant

GCDC received a $420,000 grant to expand high-speed broadband. This will bring service to more than 6,500 households and 100 businesses in Green County. GCDC’s private partner Litewire Internet Services of Evansville, implemented the project. 

December — Executive Leadership Breakfast

GCDC was pleased to present Rob Grunewald, economist with the Community Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, to share his insights as part of our annual Executive Leadership Breakfast. Grunewald enumerated why quality childcare is such an important issue for our county and our country, and why it is necessary to take action to strengthen the childcare industry.

Loan Funds Available to More Businesses

In December we received some exciting news about our Growth Opportunity Fund. In the past, we were only able to fund new businesses, but restrictions have been changed, so we can now fund businesses of any age. Funding of up to $100,000 is available for manufacturers in Green County. There is no job creation requirement. Interest rates average around 3 percent. 

Business Counselors Serve Green County Businesses

Our SBDC business consultants shattered all previous records to assist 126 Green County businesses in 2020, including 7 new business starts, for more than $2 million in capital infusion. Thank you, Kristi Smith and Jason Schleip!

GCDC has great things planned for 2021, and we look forward to working with our partners to support economic development in Green County.

— Cara Carper is executive director at Green County Development Corporation. She can be reached at cara.gcdc@tds.net.