Heart of Wisconsin
Business & Economic Alliance and
Community Foundation of
South Wood County
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A Joint Initiative Between Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County |
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Breaking News May 7, 2006 - New network to boost businesses By: Patrick Thorton, Central Wisconsin Sunday Getting the right people together to talk about ways to grow business and improve technology in the area is the goal of a new networking chapter starting in central Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Innovation Network chapter will be sponsored by Centergy, a partnership among Wood, Marathon and Portage counties promoting economic development. WIN chapters coordinate educational forums and investment opportunities in five chapters in the state. The official kickoff of the WIN chapter in central Wisconsin is May 16 at the Country Springs Hotel in Stevens Point. The meeting will start at 3:30 p.m. Registration is free. Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, and Joe Kremer, director of the Wisconsin Angel Network, will speak. The Angel Network is an exciting aspect of the WIN chapter, said Jeff Landin, executive director of the Portage County Business Council. Members of the network serve as a financing resource for new and small businesses. "A lot of times when a small business is starting up they have personal financing, some money from the bank, but then there is a gap," Landin said. "A group like the Angels can fill that gap." Having a centrally located collection of investors makes getting in touch with the right people easier, Kremer said. "The big thing with these networks is that people with ideas for a new business can make one pitch to an entire group of people ready to invest instead of trying to find people on their own," he said. "The whole concept of early-stage investing is starting to build up steam across the state. It is safe to say we have only seen the tip of the iceberg." The region's business community has been trying to start a WIN chapter in central Wisconsin for a few years, said Bill Tehan, an attorney with Ruder Ware in Wausau. "The establishment of a WIN chapter in the area is going to help existing businesses grow and develop and entrepreneurs and new businesses get started," Tehan said. "When you get people together talking about technology and business issues, good things come from it." The WIN Network is an opportunity for the region to work together, said Connie Loden, executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance. "As we are striving to grow business from within and determining the future of our region's economy, groups like WIN will help us take these ideas to the next level," Loden said. "There is a lot of flow of dollars and workers between the three counties and it only makes sense to take a look at the region and see where our economic opportunities lie." The open house will be a chance to start conversations on where the region's economy is headed, Landin said. "This meeting is truly and opportunity for anyone interested in the business community and economic development," he said. The WIN Network is supported by the Wisconsin Technology Council in Madison. The council advises the governor and the Legislature on technology issues in the state. There are WIN chapters in Madison, Milwaukee, northeast Wisconsin, the Chippewa Valley and the Lake Superior region. |
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