FCEDC CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

From the Fond du Lac Reporter:
Commentary: Economic development entity celebrates 20 years of service

Entering its 21st year of service to businesses and residents, Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) is going strong.

The organization is creating a buzz both locally and throughout the state.

"I travel around to a lot of other communities throughout the state," said Bob Poch, design and project manager, Keller Inc. "There isn't the doom and gloom here that you hear in other communities. I attribute that to the staff of FCEDC. They have worked very hard to make things happen."

The confidential nature of much of the work done by FCEDC creates a challenge of communicating its successes, but FCEDC has made an effort over the last few years to market its services in a way that does not breach the trust clients have placed in the organization.

So what does FCEDC do? The services it provides are based in five core areas of concentration:


The existing businesses of the local communities made up the largest portion of FCEDC clients, 48 percent, during 2008.

Existing business development, one of FCEDC's core services, includes all services aimed at keeping current businesses thriving. While many people think of economic development as attracting new businesses, FCEDC adopted the philosophy many years ago that keeping current businesses healthy, in conjunction with its other core services, was the most effective way of improving the economic well-being of Fond du Lac County.


In 2008, entrepreneurs and emerging business — another core service offered by FCEDC — made up 36 percent of FCEDC's total client base.

FCEDC staff provides startup business assessment services to anyone with a viable business idea who is looking to launch that business idea in Fond du Lac County. These services include business plan development; professional network referrals; assistance with locating a site or facilities; and financing assistance.


Business attraction, likely the most-understood service provided by FCEDC, accounted for 16 percent of FCEDC clients in 2008.

FCEDC provides a variety of services to companies considering Fond du Lac County as a business location. Services include providing demographic information, answering questions and requests for additional information, and providing relocation assistance to a company's employees.


FCEDC also works with communities within Fond du Lac County, offering professional economic development assistance and training; business retention programs; economic impact assessments and design of incentive programs among other services. In the case of North Fond du Lac, Ripon and Waupun, FCEDC provides contracted community development services.

Poch adds, "It takes more than the great location we have here in Fond du Lac County. It takes the tools to bring in business or retain business, and FCEDC works very well with its community partners to be sure those tools are available."


Work force development and talent attraction include working with its organizational partners to provide assistance with work force retention, education and customized training programs for work force development.

A contributor to FCEDC's success is the staff's ability to get to know the client and their unique needs. Our philosophy in working with clients, whether they are an existing business, an entrepreneur or a new business looking to move to Fond du Lac is about as far from a cookie-cutter approach as you can get. We really take time to listen and understand their needs and the unique challenges of their business so that when we offer solutions, they are truly what we feel would work best for their situation.

Brenda Hicks-Sorensen is the president of the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation.