New North Region Stepping Up to the COVID-19 Challenge
Lessons Learned in a Pandemic World: The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Owners
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Brought to you by UW Oshkosh Center for Customized Research and Services and AEGIS Financial.

UW Oshkosh-Center for Customized Research and Services is following up their monthly Covid-19 Economic Impact surveys with a virtual event titled "Lessons Learned in a Pandemic World: The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Owners".

UWO-CCRS conducted surveys in partnership with WEDC, New North and the eight other regional economic development organizations in Wisconsin. We were able to collect important data right from the beginning of the pandemic and want to share the important lessons we learned over the past year as well as share the opportunities and resources that are available to businesses going forward.

Presenters will include Jeff Sachse an economist and Interim Director of UWO Center for Customized Research and Services, Deputy Secretary and COO Sam Rikkers, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Barb LaMue, President and CEO New North, Ann Franz, Executive Director of NEW Manufacturing Alliance, Dan Brosman, Associate Director of Small Business Development Center at UW Oshkosh and Bill Bowman, President and Wealth Manager, AEGIS Financial. The virtual event is to take place on Wednesday, April 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m...
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Expansion and Business Development in the New North
RGL Logistics: Expands supply chain operations with Appleton purchase
WISBusiness
Appleton, Wis. – RGL Logistics, a rapidly growing Green Bay-based provider of logistics services for traditional and e-commerce businesses, has completed the purchase of the former Fleet Farm warehousing and distribution center campus in Appleton, WI. The 70-acre property includes five buildings encompassing 450,000 square feet of space, boosting RGL Logistics’ total warehouse space to four million square feet.

“The demand for warehouse space is soaring,” said Joe Lemerond, Chief Executive Officer of RGL Logistics. “The explosive growth in the e-commerce sector is expected to continue and this property provides a centrally-located hub for our customers.”

The expansion includes 450,000 square feet of warehouse space. The largest of the campus’s buildings is located at 1300 S. Lynndale Dr. and features 273,000 square feet of warehouse space with 45 dock doors and over 25 acres of secured parking. The campus is conveniently located 2.4 miles from I-41 and 4.6 miles from Highway 441...
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Promote the Regional Brand
ThedaCare Medical Center - Wild Rose gets new technology to assist in blood transfusions
WBAY
WILD ROSE, Wis. (WBAY) - One of ThedaCare’s hospitals is the first in North America to acquire a specific kind of blood analyzer technology.

ThedaCare’s Wild Rose Medical Center recently installed a DG Reader Net semi-automated analyzer.

“It feels really good. I feel like it’s incredible for our communities to bring something like this to our local hospital that’s in a rural setting,” said Laboratory Manager Elizabeth Kujawa.

Kujawa says the machine analyzes blood samples, determining blood type and screening for antibodies and antigens. It then transmits those results into the laboratory information system, which can be accessed at any ThedaCare hospital...
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Expansion and Business Development in the New North
Behind the scenes of the new EPIC Event Center
WBAY
ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (WBAY) - We’re getting our first peak inside a new entertainment venue for concerts and other live shows coming to the Green Bay area.

The EPIC Event Center is scheduled to open April 15th.

Just across from Bay Park Square, on the site of a former Gordman’s store on Holmgren Way, construction is now wrapping up on the venue, which is part of a dream owner Mark Skogen says began five years ago.

“This opportunity came up, a friend of mine owned the building and I started thinking, wow, this is in a good location, hotels, restaurants. This is the right size, right ceiling heights and it got me really excited again to make this happen,” said Skogen...
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Promote the Regional Brand
From Metal Worker to Metal Artist
Spectrum News 1
DE PERE, Wis. — David C. Windey isn’t one to shy away from a challenging piece of art requiring reparative work.

After all, it’s that attention to detail that makes it unique.

“Like putting 15,000 nails on a tree or 1,000 little pickers,” he said while pointing at a metal cactus in his metal shop studio in De Pere.

Windey, owner of Windey Metal Art Sculptures, spent most of his metal working career with Ritchie Metal Works making custom railings and staircases. Six or seven years ago he started branching out into art while at Ritchie before moving to a full-time artist about two years ago.

He’s finding a national market for his trees: welded trunks and branches covered with thousands of UV coated plastic leaves that are held on by thousands of little nails. Customers range from homeowners to schools and municipalities...
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Promote the Regional Brand
Oshkosh Defense gifts Old Glory Honor flight $30k to support future flights for veterans
WFRV
OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – During the pandemic, the Old Glory Honor Flight had to stop their trips for the safety of all involved, but the community continues to give back.

Oshkosh Defense, a longtime supporter or the Old Glory Honor Flight, gifted the organization $30,000 to support future Honor Flight missions. Oshkosh Defense has been a major contributor since 2011 and since then has donated over $200,000.

John Bryant, President of Oshkosh Defense and Executive Vice President of Oshkosh Corporation said they stand behind those who dedicated their lives to protect others and enjoy giving back, “It is with great pride that we support organizations like Old Glory Honor Flight and their mission to provide a memorable and meaningful experience for our local veterans...
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Economic Development Feature
Missy Hughes: The ingenuity and grit of small business leaders are key to recovery in Wisconsin
The Cap Times
One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin’s economy stands at a crossroads between the depths of recession and a return to healthy growth. We need to seize this opportunity for economic recovery by accelerating support for a cornerstone of our prosperity: small businesses.

Wisconsin’s small businesses, numbering nearly half a million enterprises, are vital to the health of our state. Yet they were crushed by the pandemic, with industries like retail, leisure and restaurants in the direct line of fire. Many lacked the financing to get them through lean times and had fewer financial reserves to start with. Overall, the number of small businesses plunged a staggering 29%, killing the livelihood for tens of thousands of Wisconsinites...
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