Shawano, WI. -  The “Building Communities Webinar Educational Series” being offered by UW-Extension, in cooperation with SCEPI, continues on Tuesday, December 16 with a one hour FREE workshop on “Renewable Energy Strategies.”  The workshop is for businesses and local governments who are seeking innovative and cost-efficient methods to reduce their energy costs.  The December 16 workshop will run from 11:30AM - 12:30PM at the Shawano County Courthouse at 311 N. Main Street in Shawano in basement meeting rooms A & B.  Lunch will be available.

Renewable energy is part of a strategic approach to energy consumption that can reduce carbon emissions, improve energy reliability and may protect against escalating fuel costs.  Attendees will learn how they, as government and business leaders, can act strategically to get the most out of their energy investments.

The workshop will examine the renewable energy technologies that are available today and how one can choose options that will work best for your business or community.  Attending the workshop can help you answer questions such as; is it affordable?   Who are the service providers in my area and how do I find them?  How do I proceed and investigate which are our best options to pursue?  What other renewable energy installations are already operating in our area?

This workshop, sponsored by UW-Extension & Shawano County Economic Progress, Inc., is a national webinar, available in Shawano and available at no cost to Shawano County citizens.

Don’t miss the FREE “Renewable Energy Strategies” Workshop for Businesses and Local Governments.”  Register today!  There’s no cost to attend and lunch will be available. To register, please contact UW-Extension at 715-526-6136 or via email at jay.moynihan@ces.uwex.edu.

After a very successful 2008 New North Summit, the Keynote Speaker, Richard Longworth, who spoke on his book, Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism, is accepting questions or comments via The New North Blog. If you had a question or comment for Longworth, please post it on the comment section below.

Longworth is a recognized author and reporter for economics and globalization and was twice a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

Thank you for a great Summit–truly a demonstration of collaboration!

Press Release
November 12, 2008
Media contact: Brenda Hicks-Sorensen, CEcD
(920) 929-2063

Trying economic times often require businesses to seek new strategies for success. With the registration deadline quickly approaching, Northeast Wisconsin companies are being encouraged to join other businesses from the region for an export sales mission to Mexico City on February 23 and 24, 2009.

Abundant market opportunities in Mexico are especially suited to any company involved in food processing and agribusiness; automotive parts and supplies; electronic components; education and training services; energy and environment sectors; hotel and restaurant equipment; housing and construction; IT and internet services and packaging equipment. Several other opportunities in other markets also exist, and local companies are urged to contact the mission organizers to discuss individual and unique opportunities.

All participants on the trip will take part in two full days of one-on-one business appointments, prescreened according to personalized company objectives set by the participant, with potential sales partners and networking events with local VIPs, government officials and business partner organizations.

Deadline for registration is December 12, 2008. The trip is limited to 20 participants. Final participation will be confirmed after a thorough review to ensure sufficient market potential for each participant. There are some grant opportunities available to offset most of the costs associated with the trip. Those interested in more information or registering should contact Greg Miller at (920) 983-0524 or gbpackers@earthlink.net.

The trip is being organized by the Northeast Wisconsin Regional Economic Partnership (NEWREP) in conjunction with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Northeast Wisconsin International Business Development Program and the Milwaukee Export Assistance Center. Additional grant assistance is being provided by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

With E-Connect 2008 designed for all levels of entrepreneurs–from established small business owners to those who have only dreamed of starting their own business–this event is sure to benefit all who attend Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 4-7:30 pm at the EAA Air Venture Museum. Click the link below for more information:

E-Connect 2008 Promotional Flyer

Advance, the economic development arm of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the candidates for the 2008 Manufacturing Awards of Distinction.  Join Advance and their sponsors The Business News, Nsight Telservices, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Heartland Business Bank, Virchow Krause & Co., Exhibit Resource by Skyline, and Spot Productions & Legacy Tributes in congratulating these outstanding companies representing our region:
N.E.W. Industries, Inc.-Sturgeon Bay
Nicolet Plastics, Inc.-Lakewood
Orion Energy Systems-Manitowoc
Pioneer Metal Finishing, LLC-Ashwaubenon
Sanimax-Green Bay
The field will be recognized in categories based on company size, industrial technology, and exporting.  Presentations will be made at an awards banquet on Thursday November 6th at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay.  The cost to attend is $45 per person or $350 for corporate tables of eight.  Contact Lori Ritter at (920) 496-2110 to secure reservations.
Developed on the premise of economic development, Advance is a public-private partnership committed to improving and diversifying the local economy.  Since its inception in 1987, the Advance Business Development Center business incubator has graduated more than 100 start-up companies.  Providing local business assistance for retention, labor, recruiting, expansion and relocation, Advance is at the core economic development in the Green Bay area.
Established in 1882, the mission of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic and community development. Chamber programs include Advance, Partners in Education, Leadership Green Bay, Brown County Teen Leadership, Bay Area Community Health Partnership, Good Government Council, the International Business Development Consortium, and the Small Business Council.
For more information about Advance, contact Fred Monique, 496-2118, Monique@titletown.org .  For more information about the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and its programs, call 437-8704 or visit www.titletown.org .

In the coming months we hope to use this tool to keep you updated on the activities of New North, Inc., as well as the businesses and organizations within our region.  If you have suggestions of items you would like us to post to the blog please don’t hesitate to drop us a line.

For those of you who haven’t already registered for this year’s Summit take a look at the link on our homepage.  Richard C. Longworth, a fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs will serve as this year’s keynote speaker.  Longworth was an award-winning foreign correspondent and senior writer at the Chicago Tribune. The two time Pulitzer Prize finalist most recently penned a book titled Caught in the Middle, a story about America’s Heartland in the age of globalism.