At the September Clark County Board of Supervisors meeting, Clark County Economic Development Corporation and Tourism Bureau (CCEDC) President Pete Kaz gave the annual CCEDC report and shared all that this organization does to promote the livelihood of the residents of Clark County.

Right off the bat, Kaz presented Clark County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilcox with a plaque of appreciation for all the board does for promoting business and sustaining the businesses in community. Kaz then dove into his presentation, “Together, is our theme for this year,” said Kaz. “Our mission in partnership, is assisting and containing the communications with our county, communities, businesses, education entities, the individuals, and planning and growing and sustaining our regional operations, our businesses and companies that are within our county.”

On the economic end, the CCEDC has worked with over 60 clients in the past 12 months. Assistance has been given with business planning, financing packaging, potential new start-ups, existing business purchases, expansions of existing businesses, finishing projects or planning new ones. Project values exceed $25.5 million, and the county has seen over 152 new jobs. There have been 20 new or expanding business ribbon cutting/ground breakings. Issues being addressed currently include housing development, workforce development, broadband, transportation and commercial/industrial park expansions. The organization promotes the economic health of the county by being a part of the Clark County Workforce Council, Business to Business Expo and Career Fair, Youth Apprenticeship, employee recruitment, Clark County Young Professionals, housing and marketing, addressing childcare shortage, reactivation of a Multi-Cultural Task Force and partnering with Crime Stoppers. Kaz said he was very proud to be part of starting the Clark County Crime Stoppers which aids law enforcement by allowing the public to report crime tips unanimously.

Kaz was also very proud to report that Momentum West Wisconsin honored Loos Machine and Automation with the 2023 Top Development Project of the Year Award. It was recognized for its outstanding achievement in constructing a new state-of-the-art plant in Colby. Loos employes over 45 engineers and continues to grow.

Promoting good living in Clark County is where tourism takes the stage in the CCEDC. New is the promotion of HOG Corners. Many Clark County residents know just where this is located on the corner of Hwy H, O, and G (N6448 Cr-G, Neillsville). This has been marketed as an interesting place to travel and stop for a picture and visit the friendly folks. HOG Corners memorabilia is for sale at Red Daisy Girl in Owen including t-shirts, coffee cups, sweatshirts and can koozies. For several years, the group has sponsored seasonal events such as Spring into the Arts, Bloomin’ Greenhouse Tour and the Harvest Moon Fall Tour. The CCEDC promotes tourism by creating posters, flyers and other marketing materials and nearly anything that is happening in Clark County can be found on their website at www.clarkcountywi.org. The CCEDC logged an average of 110 calls and over 200 emails per month for assistance with a wide range of needs. They are available 24/7 through the office or director’s cell phone. CCEDC communicates through use of a Contact Program, E-newsletter and reaching out through community events.