Creating & Sustaining Partnerships – the Sauk County Experience WBIA Conference November 4, 2005 Karna Hanna, CEcD, Executive Director Sauk County Development Corporation

US Department of Commerce “Strengthening America’s Communities” Economic Development Administration (EDA) International Economic Development Council (IEDC) National Association of Regional Councils (NARC)

Findings: The New Reality: Regions Innovation & Entrepreneurship are the drivers of wealth and prosperity Development of workforce skills is a critical component of regional economic prosperity Higher education plays an increasingly key role

Guiding Principles: Federal assistance should have a regional focus. Workforce, community, & economic development strategies should be integrated. Regions must be based upon economic spheres of interconnected communities – not on political boundaries.

Political Boundary Constraints for Economic & Workforce Development Artificial Foster atmosphere of competition – not cooperation & collaboration Government funding comes with strings attached

Sauk County Development Corporation Incorporation – 1976 Response to Badger (BAAP) crisis Benefits of REGIONAL collaboration Staying the course What did you do for me lately?

Multiple Partners SCDC UW MATC K-12 SBDC WEN PRIVATE SECTOR CHAMBERS WDVCB SAUK CO JOB CENTER LOCAL & STATE GOVT. WDB SOUTH CENTRAL ECONOMIC DEV CORPS WEDA

Career Enhancement Opportunities Goal: To expand the pool of qualified job seekers for manufacturing & distribution companies in Sauk, Columbia, & Juneau Counties Objective: Create a vehicle to attract, train, and pre-qualify candidates for manufacturing & distribution jobs

CEO Partners Nine manufacturing and distribution companies Two technical colleges Two high schools One workforce development board Three economic development corporations One utility company

CEO Accomplishments Employer driven collaborative curriculum New employee recruits to manufacturing/distribution sector Greater exposure for manufacturing/ distribution sector Collaborative business climate Foundation for future collaboration

Industry Partnership Project Goal: To provide opportunities for dislocated & incumbent workers to climb the career ladder in manufacturing and healthcare companies Objectives: Promote job quality & job access Make lifelong learning a reality Increase private-sector input & leadership

IPP Partners Department of Labor - $1.14 million grant Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin Jobs With a Future (COWS) Two Technical Colleges including satellite campuses Three Development Corporations Six Job Centers 102 Manufacturing & Health Care Companies

IPP Accomplishments Relevant training programs designed by collaborative teams of employers Over 800 hours of free training valued at $295,000 delivered to over 800 workers Additional opportunities to develop cost-effective collaborative training Revised MATC curriculum Foundation for future collaboration

“GROW” Partnership Project Goals: To extend geographic reach of JWF To improve regional strategic planning To support & enhance JWF’s capacity to address regions critical workforce needs

“GROW” Partners Department of Workforce Development - $120,500 grant Two Workforce Development Boards Jobs With a Future 52+ employers Representatives from area labor organizations, technical colleges, development corporations, chambers, non-profits, and government

Common Themes Geographic boundaries that change with each mission or project Political Efficiencies Labor Shed Trade Area Industrial Clusters Multiple partners Common goals Enhanced benefit for all partners