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Local tourism agencies awarded state grants
Janesville Area ConvenFrom the largest convention & Visitors Bureau, Main tion and visitor bureaus in Street Monroe, Green Coun- Milwaukee and Wisconsin ty and New Glarus Chamber Dells to the smallest chamof Commerce were among bers of commerce in Pepin dozens of tourism agencies and Cassville, the $15 million throughout the state to be investment will help continawarded grant dollars to- ue to fuel our local recovery ward their efforts, Gov. Tony efforts and ensure those reEvers announced last week. bounds are felt statewide.” The Destination Marketing Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is award- Organization Grant Program ed $167,000, Green County, will help 120 local DMO or$40,650; Main Street Monroe, ganizations across the state $11,032.10; and New Glarus expand on their work to atChamber of Commerce tract regional, national, and $112,673, as part of the $15 international visitors to exmillion in grants distributed plore all that Wisconsin has SUBMITTED PHOTO Brodhead Independent-Register The Growing Tree, located at 11 13th Ave., in New Glarus, was opened in 2013. Child care centers throughout for Destination Marketing Or- to offer. “Together with our local the country are struggling with attracting and retaining professional staffers in part due to the low wages they are ganizations (DMOs) throughDestination Marketing Orout the state. provided. The investment is a part ganizations, we are at a critof the governor’s more than ical moment in the tourism $140 million American Res- recovery, and these funds cue Plan Act (ARPA) fund will jumpstart Wisconsin’s investment in Wisconsin’s tourism recovery that will tourism and entertainment in- uplift local economies and dustries, according to a press hospitality workers,” said Wisconsin Department of release from his office. “Wisconsin’s tourism in- Tourism Secretary-designee dustry was one of the first Anne Sayers. “Wisconsin’s and hardest hit industries of $17.3 billion tourism industhe COVID-19 pandemic, try is not just big fun, it’s but our local folks at DMOs also big business.” Funded by the ARPA and statewide have been innovative, dedicated, and resilient, administered by the Wisconand it’s because of them that sin Department of AdminisBrooke Skidmore didn’t they have, she this industry is bouncing back tration (DOA) with guidance have a childcare background said. and better,” Evers stated in the from the Wisconsin Departwhen she opened The GrowThe state ment of Tourism, the Destinarelease. ing Tree childcare center in uses assess“I am glad to be using tion Marketing Organization New Glarus eight years ago. ments that a these funds to support their Grant Program was designed Skidmore, with a degree child must good work, along with our to assist tourism, convention in art education, was strugmeet before more than $200 million in- and events organizations that gling to find childcare options receiving servestment in Wisconsin’s for her young daughters, so vices, which Brooke See GRANTS, Page 3 tourism industry. she and her brother Brandon often means Skidmore Legler, who has a degree in declining 407876 Family Studies and Human services until the child gets Development, began planning worse. to fill the need they saw in the That can make it even more community. difficult for a child to overThey built their facility come the obstacles they are and opened in the summer of facing, Skidmore said. 2013. Early childhood profesNot having a childcare sionals can help children sucbackground worked in their ceed, however. favor. Ninety percent of brain de“We were able to think out- velopment occurs before the SUBMITTED PHOTO Brodhead Independent-Register side the box and not feel the age of 5. Babies and toddlers at The Growing Tree in New need to do things just because “The quality of the relathat is how they have been tionships and experiences a Glarus get a good head start of life with the child care done for years,” Skidmore child is exposed to greatly center’s “nurturing and thoughtful environment.” said. determines the rest of that childhood teacher in Wiscon- cant decline in the number of Their vision was to create child’s life. The most import- sin makes $10.66 an hour, childcare professionals over a “nurturing, thoughtful envi- ant teacher a child will have is even though 52% have an as- the past decade, she said. ronment” for children. their early childcare teacher,” sociate’s degree or higher. “We are not only hurting “Our goals are to give chil- she said. “In our state, you will make our youngest children by not dren the best opportunities for That’s one reason Skidmore more caring for dogs than you supporting those that care for happiness, health and the suc- advocates for higher wages do children,” she said. them, but we are hurting our cess in their futures,” she said. for childcare professionals. Low wages and a lack of See TEACHERS, Page 2 “We are able to do this by She noted the average early benefits has caused a significreating strong relationships Monday, November 22 with our parents so that we are all working consistently for ENDS Saturday, November 27 the betterment of the child.” The Growing Tree focuses on guiding children through play to learn how to build 22640 Somonauk Road, Sycamore, IL quality relationships with their peers and teachers, along SELLING REMAINING ITEMS OF FARM. INCLUDES: International tractor w/bucket & Woods with understanding their emorear blade; several lawn tractors, push mowers, chipper, etc.; Load Master heavy duty dual axle tions and appropriate responstrailer; ladders; saw horses; old horse tack; misc. lawn & garden; hay hooks; misc. farm items; barn full of old wood/barn board. es to those feelings. TERMS: Smaller auction. Cash and check only. Current picture ID to register. All items sold as-is, to Self-regulation is a key Some exclusions apply. be paid for and removed day of sale. No buyer’s premium. component. Skidmore points to the lack of resources for children with For complete listing and special needs as a particular challenge in childcare. pictures, log on to: The earlier a child receives intervention and support, the auctionzip.com • 815-544-0249 greater chance of success 407880
Childcare teachers are big influences Futures are bright for kids at The Growing Tree
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