Portage County Connects

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 »

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 »

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 »

Stevens Point Community Member Honored for 2011 Arts in the Community Award

Arts Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s statewide arts service, advocacy, and development organization, announced the recipients of the third annual Arts in the Community Awards. Bill Schierl, President of the Arts Alliance of Portage County, Stevens Point, was one of two recipients of… Read More »

Worzalla names new vice president, expands board

Worzalla Publishing Co. has added a new vice president and expanded its board of directors.

Kris Koch joined the company as vice president of operations in July. He will oversee the manufacturing and operations for the employee-owned printing and binding… Read More »

“Survivors Guilt” and the Unexpected Costs of Downsizing

The Wall Street Journal reported the U.S. private-sector job total rose by only 50,000 in November and the unemployment rate rose to its highest level since April (9.8%). Layoff announcements in Portage County and the recent news that the NewPage Whiting… Read More »

Check out Wisconsin’s Economic Development Programs for your Business!

Businesses considering job creation, investment in property or equipment, employee training or other development may be eligible for financial assistance programs offered through the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. According to Deputy Secretary Zach Brandon, Wisconsin has assembled some of the… Read More »

Ten Years and Counting. Thanks Portage County.

As a President and Founder of DigiCopy, I recently had the good fortune of celebrating our tenth anniversary.  We have seen our company grow from its initial store here in Stevens Point to thirteen locations across the state.   Success has… Read More »

Thriving in this Economy is Like Sleeping with the Sharks

I have a colleague that recently returned from Sleeping with the Sharks at Underwater Adventures in the Mall of America. Apparently, participants sleep for a night directly under a glass tank full of sharks that swim above constantly. The picture… Read More »

Be the Bachelor!

Did you ever notice that owning a business is a lot like being one of the ladies on “The Bachelor?” Here you are trying to be the smartest, funniest and most attractive business you can be, in a sea of… 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »