2024 Economic Outlook Breakfast & Annual Meeting Booklet

Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce

2024 Annual Meeting & Economic Outlook Breakfast graciously sponsored by

Agenda Annual Board Meeting & Voting State of: Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce State of: Sheboygan County State of: City of Sheboygan Falls State of: City of Plymouth State of: Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation State of: City of Sheboygan

Thank you to our gracious sponsor

Annual Meeting Directors Slate

You can replace the image on the screen with your own

Kristin Stearns President Elect

Vote Required: First Term

Teresa Van Horn

Nicole Miller

Van Horn Automotive Group

Kohler Co

Steve Schouten

Midwest Communications

Retiring

Board Members Continuing Terms

Max Scheuer

Nellie Weiss- UnitedOne Credit Union Beth Borgen- Lakeland University Claudia Krepsky – Rohde Brothers Dana Dunton- Mainstream Boutique James Schramm – UWGB – Sheboygan Campus Justin Selle- St. Nicholas Hospital Kristin Liphart – Lakeshore Technical College Kristin Stearns – Lakeshore Community Healthcare Lindsay Harrison-Eirich- Engaged Marketing Co. Paul Griffin – Millipore Sigma Paul Kuplic – Oostburg State Bank Samuel Spurney – Steimle Birschbach, LLC

Wisconsin Consumer Credit

Dan Mella

Plymouth School District

David Zimmermann Zimmermann Printing

Deidre Martinez CEO, Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce

2024 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK BREAKFAST & ANNUAL MEETING SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN

Presented by Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce Deidre Martinez, CEO

Thursday, January 18, 2024

MIX OF RESPONDENTS

ATTRACTION

WORKFORCE GROWTH 56.7% of organizations expect their workforce will grow in the next 12 months. This is down 4.3% over the previous year

 Top Three:

Business Management Manufacturing/Production

Finance/IT

EXPECTED POSITIONS NEEDED

WHAT K-12 TALENT INITIATIVES DOES YOUR COMPANY ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN? 2024

ATTRACTION: TOP THREE EFFORTS UTILIZED

Employee Referral Programs Digital Hiring

Offering College Internships

83 % of respondents would likely recommend a friend or family member move to Sheboygan County.

This has gone up more than 2 points over the previous year

HOW LIKELY ARE YOU TO RECOMMEND A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER MOVE TO SHEBOYGAN COUNTY?

RETENTION

2021 2022

2020

REMOTE WORKFORCE

EXPECTED PERCENTAGE OF WAGE INCREASES THIS YEAR

2023: 56% increase 2022: 64% increase 2021: 74% increase 2020: 44% increase 2019: 62 % increase 2018: 76% increase 2017: 76% increase 2016: 66% increase 2015: 64% increase

GROWTH: SALES INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR

OPTIMISM IN SHEBOYGAN COUNTY

HOW DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR BUSINESS WILL PERFORM OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?

2024

2021

2023

2020

2022

2019

67% BELIEVE THAT SHEBOYGAN COUNTY'S ECONOMY WILL IMPROVE IN 2024 COMPARED TO 60% LAST YEAR.

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT? Talent Recruitment

Impact of Inflation Healthcare Competition

CHANGES IN THE COST OF HEALTHCARE WILL IMPACT MORE THAN 53% OF RESPONDENTS

What Professional Development Opportunities would you like the Chamber to offer in 2024?

64.5% Networking/Relationship Building 58.06% Leadership/Management And almost 39% are looking for sales and marketing learning opportunities

 Talent Attraction/Recruitment &  Workforce Development

 Countywide Collaboration

 Health Care

TOP ISSUES…

Talent Retention and workplace culture development

 Lead in countywide

collaboration efforts to live out the “Better Together” mindset

 Advocate for lower costs in

healthcare and encourage a healthy lifestyle mentality across the County

You told us Talent Attraction and Retention was important. Explore your Future brought together 1200+ area 7th and 8th graders to learn more about themselves and what job opportunities are available right here in Sheboygan County.

We hosted STEAMFest with 1500 4th and 5th grade students to learn more about STEM fields and we launched alongside our education partners additional financial literacy programming for high school students.

We continue to mail out welcome letters to new residents, knowing the importance of being welcomed into a new community.

We hosted 70 interns and co-op’s in person throughout the summer. Including several activities and events to give them an opportunity to learn more about Sheboygan County and build relationships with other young professionals in the area.

We launched JR. Leadership Sheboygan County bringing 11th and 12th graders from across the county to participate in this 10 month program of leadership exploration.

Creating Inclusive Workplaces and other opportunities In 2023 we are launched Creating Inclusive Workplaces: A Professional Development Opportunity, and offered six different sessions throughout 2023, free to all members in good standing.

We continue to offer the Sheboygan County Community Guides in both English & Spanish We have entered into partnerships with the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Chamber of Commerce SE Wisconsin to provide additional opportunities to businesses in Sheboygan County that may benefit from their programs.

We continue to partner with the Wisconsin Hmong Chamber of Commerce and the Wisconsin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Deidre also serves on the board of the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives (WCCE).

2023 Additional Business Support You told us that supporting local and small businesses is important to you. In 2023 we sold more than $276,000 in Chamber Cash. Chamber members accepted and cashed more than $250,000 in Chamber Cash. This local currency goes 100% back into the local economy, predominantly small businesses.

Late 2023 we entered into a partnership with Tietz’s Piggly Wiggly locations to also sell Chamber Cash so we expect this number to increase significantly in 2024 We surprised local diners and shoppers throughout the County with free Chamber Cash on Small Business Saturday to reward and encourage more dollars be spent in our local businesses.

All Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce members can be a recipient of Chamber Cash at no cost to participate.

Members were able to host 250+ meetings using our free conference room space.

We have formally entered into an MOU with the Harbor Centre/BID to manage services and ensure that small businesses in this district will have the additional support they need.

Launch Strategic Plan We are in the final year of our 2022-2024 strategic plan and are thrilled at the progress we have already made.

We will begin strategic planning later this year to carry us into 2025 and beyond.

WHAT AREAS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE STATE OF WISCONSIN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

We are Better Together!

We understand the importance of collaboration and continue to grow the partnership between the Chamber, Government, SCEDC and other community organizations, specifically on the growing Workforce Development needs and Advocacy issues.

We think you’ve noticed Membership continues to grow (117 new members in 2023) and retention looks great at 90%.

We’re Not Finished Yet… We know we still have a lot of work to do and we’re up for the challenge.

New programming is on its way, Small Business Boot Camp will be introduced this spring and also a leadership boot camp for young professionals will be introduced later this year.

Continuously improved programming continues to expand, including: Explore your Future focuses on 7th and 8th graders to assist with Academic and Career planning before they get to high school; STEAMFest hosted by the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce, giving 4th and 5th graders exposure to STEAM opportunities; and Financial Literacy programming will be provided to high school juniors and seniors in addition to what they already receive in school.

In partnership with Sheboygan County we are preparing to launch the ARPA funded workforce development attraction campaign, to include $500,000 to be spent in targeted marketing to areas outside of Sheboygan County. Financial resources to help candidates move to Sheboygan County upon receiving a job, financial resources to help newcomers get settled in Sheboygan County (restrictions apply), financial resources to support financial literacy and a transition specialist on staff to support the efforts of local employers and their new employees.

Entered into MOU with Harbor Centre/BID in downtown Sheboygan to provide managed services for this volunteer led organization supporting roughly 180 small businesses throughout the district. This collaboration will provide additional resources to the BID members and give additional opportunity to support community events that attract tourism and local alike giving businesses an additional advantage.

Thank you for joining us this morning & for your continued support

Alayne Krause County Administrator, Sheboygan County

Completed Construction of Sheboygan Broughton Marsh Dam

State of the County Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Services Provided at the Airport

New Camera Systems for Law Enforcement

Expansion and Start-Up of Highest-Need Human Services

New Asphalt Plant Constructed

State of the County

Expanded Services at Rocky Knoll Health Care Center

Enhancements to Sheboygan County Facilities

Strong Fiscal Track Record Continues

Randy Meyer Mayor, Sheboygan Falls

Vision Business Park

Topics to be discussed

Pros 4 Technology complete Specht Electric near completion Sign Me Up started Alferi Laboratories coming soon

Subdivisions Founder’s Pointe Summer Field Estates Falls Meadows

Revolving Loan Fund Historic Downtown Evans transition Excuse My French Bakery Opportunities/Open spaces

Opportunities & Challenges

Don Pohlman Mayor, Plymouth

Brian Doudna Executive DirectorSheboygan County Economic Development Corporation

The 2024-2026 Strategic Direction (Pending SCEDC Board Approval)

Vision Make Sheboygan County a premier global destination for investment, employment, lifestyle and economic well-being by creating opportunities that foster prosperity for communities, businesses and residents.

Mission The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation, a public-private partnership, identifies and facilitates innovative efforts to fuel growth for businesses, communities, and entrepreneurs while fostering vibrant neighborhoods for citizens of Sheboygan County.

Statement 1

Strategic Direction Statements

(General Operations – Organization and Traditional Economic Development)

Through our public/private partnerships grow our reach to provide resources and expertise to encourage private sector investment in Sheboygan County.

Statement 2 (Workforce Attraction/Branding)

Provide outreach and engagement solutions to attract and retain the diverse and stable workforce essential to growing our economy.

Strategic Direction Statements Statement 3 (Housing, Community Development Fund, 3rd Places)

Identify, attract, and create destinations that build a deep connection with community and build residents' sense of belonging.

Statement 4 (Small Business Formation, Capital Formation and Innovation Eco-System)

Provide the resources and expertise to entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses to succeed.

Ryan Sorenson Mayor, Sheboygan

Video Address

Upcoming Chamber Events January 24: Out to Lunch with Deidre Martinez: Kame Ramen &Sushi Poke

January 19: Winter Wonderland with the Young Professionals

January 25: VIBE@5 Pine Haven Christian Communities

February 6: YP Speed Networking

February 13: Ribbon Cutting February 22: Longhouse Axe Bar – Chamber Champion Gala Lower Level The Osthoff Resort

Thank you to our gracious sponsor

2023 SUCCESSES

250+

14,000+

Community Guides distributed throughout Sheboygan County & surrounding areas • Including a Spanish Guide

Events, programs & meetings

117

90% Retention Rate

Total new members

$276,000

Chamber Cash redeemed at local participating businesses *$250,000 purchased

2023 Successes • 10 Vibe@5s • 70 Interns & Co-ops • 18+ Ribbon Cuttings • STEAMFest: 1500+ 4th & 5th grader participants • Explore Your Future: 7th & 8th grader focused event

We Give Back!

• Small business Saturday & Chamber Cash giveaway $1,000 • Better Together Intern & Co-op Program • Leadership Sheboygan County • Junior Leadership Sheboygan County which provides remarkable experiences for local area high school students • Gave away $4,000 in scholarships • Chamber staff completed 400+ volunteer hours collectively • $1,900 Supporting local Nonprofits • Explore Your Future: Supported 1,000+ students • Creating inclusive workplaces: A professional development opportunity - launched 6 sessions

with over 1,000 participants • Financial literacy programming for high schoolers • 5000+ people from member organizations and businesses used the Chamber Conference Rooms to host meetings (FREE Resource) • Brews & Brainstorming welcomed over 102 Young Professionals sharing how we can give support

COMING IN 2024 • NEW marketing enhancements • Partnership with LCCSEW • Refreshing Young Professionals programming • Partnership with Harborcentre/BID • Chamber Travel: Best of Ireland • Professional development opportunity: Small Business Bootcamp

The Chamber... hosts events that give great opportunities to network and build relationships in the community facilitates conversations that are essential to the success of our community believes building meaningful relationships are vital to a strong business climate

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS & ADVOCACY • Economic Outlook Breakfast & Annual Member Meeting • Ribbon Cuttings

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

• Candidate Forums • Friday Forums

• Workforce Development

• Hosted county Roundtables with local, state & federal elected officials

Symposium • Partners with job fairs

• Deep Dive

throughout the county during the summer of 2022

• Eight different Roundtables • Professional development opportunity: Small Business

• STEAMFest: 1500+ 4th & 5th

Bootcamp

grader participants • Explore Your Future: 7th & 8th

• Executive Series

grader-focused with 1,000

Month events throughout

• Hosted 70 interns & co-ops SCCC recognizes the importance of advocacy and its impact of legislation on the business climate.

We welcome discussions held with local leaders and elected officials.

We have put significant research and advocacy into issues affecting Sheboygan County.

Our programming brings together decision makers to hear your voice and concerns.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Chamber & Manufacturing

participants

Sheboygan County

• Financial literacy programming

• Vibe@5 networking

for high schoolers

• Leadership Sheboygan County

• ATHENA Leadership Awards

• Junior Leadership Sheboygan

• Programs for the next

County

generation through “Coastal Young Professionals” • Best Under 40 Young Professional awards • OktoberFeast

Keys To Success

• Brews & Brainstorming The ability to provide affordable access and opportunity for professional development is a KEY benefit to our members.

Leadership Sheboygan County develops leaders and contributes to the business community with over 500 graduates.