Wisconsin Department of Commerce: Secretary Leinenkugel visits Manitowoc County EDCMC Celebrates Five Year Anniversary -

Secretary Leinenkugel visits Manitowoc County
EDCMC Celebrates Five Year Anniversary

During the day along with EDCMC Executive Director Kenneth Stubbe, Secretary Leinenkugel also had the opportunity to visit with company leadership at: Riverside Foods in Two Rivers; Heiden, Inc. in Manitowoc; KI in Manitowoc; Red Arrow Products Company in Manitowoc; and, Orion Energy Systems in Manitowoc.

The Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County provides solutions for current as well as potential businesses and entrepreneurs in Manitowoc County, helping take companies to the next level. Celebrating our five year anniversary in 2009, the EDCMC has assisted 212 existing businesses, 257 entrepreneurial clients, 120 business attraction prospects, and 29 community projects. For more information on the EDCMC visit www.edcmc.org.

On April 22, 2009, the Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County (EDCMC) celebrated its 5th year providing economic development solutions for current as well as potential businesses and entrepreneurs in Manitowoc County.

More than 80 investors, community and business leaders attended the evening event held at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, which featured keynote speaker Wisconsin Department of Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel.

Said Secretary Leinenkugel "It's a pleasure to join the members of EDCMC in marking the fifth year of its operation. The EDCMC is an excellent example of regional cooperation to help retain and bring new business to the state. "

EDCMC Board President Stephen Shellman also addressed the attendees of the event. "Today is a day for the EDCMC to say 'thank you' to our private and public partner investors for their continued financial and moral support."

"The EDCMC is bullish on the future of Manitowoc County," continued Shellman. "Manitowoc County is a good place to do business. We have a workforce that cares. We have companies that are resilient and innovative. Now more than ever we need to continue the teamwork of the past five years to make the future even brighter."

Giving an overview of 2008, EDCMC Executive Director Kenneth Stubbe highlighted EDCMC benchmarks which included assisting 43 existing businesses, 139 entrepreneurs, 30 business attraction prospects, and eight community projects.

"EDCMC assistance has resulted in an estimated $37 million in capital investments, $2 million in incentives to existing companies, $9 million in new payroll, $27 in retained payroll, and $880,000 in new tax base," said Stubbe. "The impact is 440 new jobs and 860 retained jobs."