Outline for Washburn County Strategic Plan

Goals, Strategies, Plans of Action

Goal 1-Creation and Retention of Employment Opportunities

Strategies

1. Retain all existing business and their expansion possibilities
   PLAN OF ACTION:
   Maintain some contact with all employers, except retail, at least once per year
   Identify cost saving programs and share with all employers
   Involve employers in WCEDC programs
   Newsletter to all Business Community
   Do Inventory of all business community for Business to Business Directory
   Promote the use of Small Business Development Center through UW Extension
2. In conjunction with Chambers of Commerce and other Downtown Development Groups, encourage & facilitate downtown development-
   PLAN OF ACTION:
   Act as a Clearing House and Support Group for Downtown Development Groups
   Work with Chambers for Distribution of Business Newsletter
3. Identify tourism projects to increase tax base
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Work with WC Tourism on the Development and promotion of experiential activities
   Support RR project
   Stay active in ITBEC
   Support and promote NW Wisconsin Heritage
   Work with UW Ext on identifying GEM Grants opportunities
4. Identify new companies as potential employers in WC
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Work with Forward Wisconsin on recruiting trips to Minnesota and Illinois
   Work with Dept of Commerce
   Identify the most desirable type of prospect
   Determine the best medium to attract that prospect
   Make contact with all cabin owners in County re Industrial opportunities in WC- (Work where you play promotion)
   Use WC Tourism to alert traveling tourists of Industrial opportunities in WC.
5. Investigate enhancing revenue from County Resources
   Plan of Action
   See Addendum A on forest products Plan
6. Bring all players of ED together to make a combined effort-utilities, financing, Municipalities, Townships
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Get all to join WCEDC as members and get representatives actively involved
   Have representative of each participate in quarterly newsletter
7. Exploit aquaculture & agriculture opportunities
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Work with Extension and Experimental Farm

Goal 2-Improve the Environment for Economic Development in Washburn County

Strategies

1. Improve public perception of Econ. Development
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Do news articles and releases on Econ Development and WC Companies
   Make more talks on the importance and WCEDC progress of economic development
2. Improve relationship between media & business community
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Work with Media on potential stories of relevant businesses
   Keep media informed on issues relating to Economic Development
   Address positive media issues in Business newsletter
3. Encourage improvements in the relationship between the Business Community and Schools
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Implement the program on Industrial Labor Pool Grant
   
4. Support the Development of future leaders who are aware of the importance of Econ. Development.
   PLAN OF ACTION:
   Stay active by participating in WC Leadership.
   Possible talks to schools on ED
5. Work with the communities in initiating or expanding their industrial parks
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Align WCEDC to a Professional Planning/Engineering Group
6. Encourage railroad usage & development
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Assist in locating Industrial park with RR potential in Stone Lake
   Locate RR opportunities for WC in Trego, Springbrook, and Spooner

Goal 3-Improve the relationship between business climate & government

Strategies

1. Make certain businesses are aware of all opportunities available to them
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Newsletter
   Personal visits
2. Make certain that government units are aware of specific business problems
   PLAN OF ACTION:
   Keep in contact with WC’s chapter of Wisconsin Towns Association
3. Use government sources to enhance business opportunities (export & government. contracting)
   PLAN OF ACTION
   Use Commerce Dept for assistance
   Use Procurement Institute
   Use Dept of Forestry, Dept of Agriculture, DNR, DOT for assistance
   Promote the use of Small Business Development Center through UW Extension

Goal-4 Foster the Growth & Expansion of Washburn County Economic Development Corp

Strategies

1. Work at making WCEDC self sufficient
   Coordinate regular fundraising on annual basis
   Complete 501c3 status so that we can receive donations
   Set up fee schedule so that we can charge for more services like business plans
2. Grow Director’s position to full time