Spring Greetings!
With the changing of the seasons and the days getting longer, it’s that time of the year when we start dreaming of getting the boat out – and our businesses begin gearing up to welcome our summer guests.
It’s also time to launch the next Nicolet Entrepreneur Training Program.
Scroll down to learn more about the upcoming NET classes, and what the VCEDC is working on.
Nicolet Entrepreneurial Training (NET) Program
In this practical, fast-paced course, you’ll complete a written business plan, an essential guide for business success. Over 10 weeks, you’ll hear from experts in the fields of banking and financing, business law, insurance, accounting, marketing, and more. Designed for both new and existing business owners, this course offers access to industry and market research tools, individualized support and guidance, and resources to help transform your dreams and ideas into reality.
Choose from two locations! Classes begin next week.
Eagle River (Tuesdays)
Rhinelander (Wednesdays)
March 28 – May 30, 2017
5:30 to 8:30 pm
Highway 70 Business Park
555 Enterprise Way
Eagle River, Wisconsin
March 29 – May 31, 2017
5:30 to 8:30 pm
Nicolet College –
White Pine Center 208
Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Cost: The NET Business Blueprint course tuition is 495 per person. However, Vilas County residents can apply for full funding through the Juday Entrepreneurial Scholarship program. Residents outside Vilas County can apply for partial funding through a grant with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
For more information or to request application materials, email Jamie Burkart or call 920-980-0126.
Wondering if this training will benefit you? View the Success Stories on our website.
Executive Director’s Notes
Bob Egan leads the VCEDC’s initiatives, working with partner organizations to facilitate business growth in Vilas County. Bob also manages the Highway 70 Business Incubator.
Bob is working on a collaboration between Vilas and Waukesha counties for a Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG).
The RBDG is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. Programmatic activities are separated into enterprise or opportunity type grant activities.
Generally, grants range from $10,000 up to $500,000. Enterprise type grant funds must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas. Read more details on the the RBDGs at this link.
For more information, contact Bob at 715-337-0061.
Project Manager’s Notes
Barry McLeane manages the Manitowish Waters Incubator, the Phelps Accelerator, and the Eye on Entrepreneurs facility in Eagle River.
In 2013, the VCEDC, as a part of its educational outreach program, was instrumental in helping to establish and finance a DECA chapter at Northland Pines High School. The business education instructors immediately embraced the chapter and encouraged a number of interested students to become active in the program.
The initial group of students established an NPHS virtual store to sell items and raise funds. One of the requirements of members is to create a hypothetical business plan and present it to fellow DECA colleagues at the local and potentially state levels.
For the second consecutive year, the NPHS DECA chapter competed at the state championships, and will be moving on to the National Championships in Anaheim, CA, on April 26-29th. We could not possibly be more proud of these young people, and wish them much success!
The Manitowish Waters Incubator and the Phelps Accelerator currently have openings. For more information on either location, contact Barry at 715-891-1284.
Who We Are
Carl Ruedebusch, Chairman
Dave Juday, Vice Chairman
Denise Jantzen, Treasurer
Nicole Justa, Secretary
Emil Bakka
Wally Beversdorf
Lori Collins
Emerson Coy
Anne Derber
Steve Doyen
Gloria Cobb
Dick Hansen
John Hanson
Mary Cole Laub
Laurie Oungst
Mark Rose
Jim Tuckwell
Kim Simac
Ex Officio Members –
G. Steven Burrill
Richard Nelson
Ron Skallerud
Chris Stark
Our Goals
The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation works to create successful public-private partnerships that stimulate sustainable economic growth throughout Vilas County.
The Board and staff provide innovative leadership and help provide regional infrastructure to improve the economic climate in Vilas County, promote creation of new business and growth of existing businesses, and provide increased opportunities for education to help strengthen workforce development.