Portage County Connects

The Arts Mean Business in Portage County

There are several $3M industries located in Portage County, Wisconsin. Although the arts and culture sector may not be the first that comes to your mind, the arts mean business. In 2009 the Arts Alliance of Portage County in partnership… Read More »

County Wide Farm Preservation Planning Benefits Business Development Planning

During the next 18 months, Portage County will be working on its county-wide farmland preservation plan. Basically, Wisconsin requires all counties to have a plan in place that discusses how agriculture works in their communities and to present means of… Read More »

Blenker Expands Business to Serve Larger Region

Since opening in 1974, Blenker Cos. has changed and grown to meet the demands of customers in the construction industry.

Originally a remodeling business, over time the family-owned and operated company added construction, manufacturing, contractiong and trucking.

But when a… Read More »

Lands’ End – 10 Great Years in Stevens Point

Congratulations to Lands’ End, a Stevens Point area business, for celebrating their 10th Anniversary in August.

A decade ago, Lands’ End Point Stevens selected to fill a growing need in the business division.

In the 10th anniversary in August,… Read More »

Donaldson Company, Inc. Recognized as Wisconsin Green Tier Program Participant

Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI), a leading worldwide designer and manufacturer of filtration systems and parts, is pleased to announce that the Company’s Stevens Point, Wisconsin facility will raise the Green Tier flag today in recognition of participation in the State… Read More »

TMA+Peritus to Design and Develop New Security Health Plan Client Website

Security Health Plan — a medically driven health maintenance organization serving businesses, government entities and individuals in a 32-county area of northern, western and central Wisconsin — has selected TMA+Peritus to design and develop a website for its provider and… Read More »

Wisconsin Awarded $100,000 Grant

Supporting programs for innovative, technology-driven small businesses under SBA’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) partnership program, the U.S. Small Business Administration has granted a $100,000 award to the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network program at the University of Wisconsin-Extension. The FAST Program… Read More »

I-25 Pilot Program Aims to Nurture Growth Opportunities in Technology-based Manufacturing

Central Wisconsin Business recently published an article on the Innovation 25 Pilot Program, which is a state-wide effort to nurture 25 technology-based manufacturers in efforts to generate high quality research and growth opportunities. As a result, these companies will be… Read More »

SBDC Director Recognized for Advancing Area Business

The director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has been recognized for her leadership in assisting about 300 small businesses get started and expand in the area over the last ten years.

Vicki Lobermeier… Read More »

U.S. International Trade Commission Determines Unfair Competition on the U.S. Paper Industry

According to a recent news release, George Martin, president and CEO of NewPage, announced the company’s satisfaction in the 6-0 vote by the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) determination that imports of coated paper from China and Indonesia are causing… Read More »

Stevens Point to Help Build Sustainable Garden and Food Center

What better way to build a sustainable garden and food center than to reuse and improve a set of existing structures? That’s exactly what is happening in Stevens Point. A recent article in Central Wisconsin Business reported that the Stevens… Read More »

A Message from Chuck…

The following is an excerpt from Chuck Nason’s presentation on “The Pressures from Without” at the November 17 Power Breakfast (shared with his permission). Mr. Nason is Chairman of the Board for Worzalla Publishing Company.

This is not a… Read More »

Oh the places you can go (sustainably)…with isoprene.

Never heard of isoprene? Most of us haven’t and yet it’s an organic compound that plays a major role in our lives. Isoprene is a colorless, odorless gas found naturally in our breath and the environment — it is emitted… Read More »

Assistance Available for Communities Working on Comprehensive Community Plans

In 2000, the State of Wisconsin passed a law requiring every municipality (town, village, city and county) to have a long-range “comprehensive plan” in place. As part of the planning, communities review where they are, what housing, transportation, economic development,… Read More »

A New Way of Connecting with One Another in Portage County — Bike and Pedestrian Paths

It all began with occupants of the Portage County Business Park expressing interest in getting connected — literally — with bike and pedestrian paths. Notes Jeff Schuler, Portage County Planning and Zoning Director, “People came to us looking for better… Read More »

Marten Machining — Wisconsin Technical Public Education System Is Our Lifeline

Networking in 1984. Take yourself back to 1984. The Internet was in its infancy. Cell phones were bulky and for “the few.” From a 2011 perspective, it’s difficult to imagine how you could start a small business in Stevens Point,… Read More »

From Soda Fountain to Airport Runways — UWSP Student-Led Research Project gets FRESH

Visit a dining hall on the campus of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point (UWSP) and your meal and beverage will be served in an environmentally friendly clear PLA bioplastic container derived from plant materials. You can thank the… Read More »

UW-Stevens Point economic impact on state, community is huge

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point pumps nearly $408 million into the state and local economy annually, according to a newly released economic impact study. That annual contribution to the economy creates and supports 5,690 jobs, $16.7 million in tax revenues… Read More »

Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology Releases Annual Report

Just over one year ago the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point officially launched WIST as a multidisciplinary center aiming to develop and commercialize new, sustainable technologies.

Now the institute has released its first annual report and it is available online –… Read More »

Portage County Executive Elected VP of WCEA

At a state meeting on September 27, Portage County Executive Patty Dreier was elected by her peers to become Vice President of the Wisconsin County Executives & Administrators Association (WCEA) for a two-year term. The WCEA is the statewide organization… Read More »