Over 70 employers, exhibitors and service organizations filled the Clark Electric headquarters building in Greenwood, Wisconsin on May 6 for the 2026 Clark County Business Expo and Career Fair. An annual event designed to introduce Clark County high school students to local job and career options while giving businesses a chance to connect with one another. For the second consecutive year I participated in the event as a representative of the Clark County Historical Society.
The event was hosted by the Clark County Economic Development Corporation and Tourism Bureau, led by Executive Director Sheila Nyberg and her team. The organization operates under the umbrella acronym “CCEDC” and works to support, foster, encourage, promote and assist economic growth and development across Clark County and its communities.
The expo’s primary audience was area public high school students (general age range 14 to 18), who rotated through booths in a job fair format to learn about occupations and training pathways available close to home. At the same time, exhibitors used the day to network, share contacts and compare notes on hiring needs in a rural county where many industries compete for the same limited labor pool. Almost all the public high schools in Clark County, Wisconsin were represented at the event.
Businesses and agencies in attendance at the event ranged from agriculture and food manufacturing to workforce services to banking to healthcare to regional and federal government services. Among those on hand were River Country Coop, Grassland Butter, Kerry Ingredients, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Aspirus Health, Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Korenuk Heating and Cooling, American Drone, Xcel Energy, the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, UW-Extension of Clark County, the Clark County Historical Society, the Clark County Press newspaper, along with banks, health care providers and other employers and service agencies.
For many employers, the conversation centered on the twin challenges of attracting new workers and keeping young residents from leaving the area after graduation. Participants discussed opportunities in skilled trades, health care, advanced manufacturing, transportation and public service, as well as the growing need for workers with technical certifications and on-the-job training.
Clark County’s economy is shaped by its significant emphasis on farming — particularly dairy and poultry/egg production — and the local businesses that support those industries. That agricultural base continues to influence the county’s supply chains, transportation needs and demand for equipment, feed, veterinary services and food processing.
Clark County is home to about 34,700 residents, with a median age of 36.7, according to recent American Community Survey-based profiles. Median household income is about $67,400, and the county’s poverty rate is about 12%. Unemployment has generally remained low in recent years; one county-level profile lists it at roughly 3.7%.
The annual expo is intended to help match those economic realities with real-world career awareness — showing the youth of the county what is available locally, helping employers explain their needs, and encouraging conversations about how Clark County can continue building a workforce that supports both long-established agricultural traditions and emerging sectors.
It was a fun event built around a forward-looking theme. As I travel around the county, it’s always nice to interact in person with an enthusiastic group of Clark County goodwill ambassadors and volunteers. Some of those present at the Greenwood event included Sheila Nyberg, Dave Jankoski, Shirley Anderson, Natalie Erpenbach, Pete Kaz, Richie Sorenson, John Mauel, Nancy Amacher, Pat Lindner, Breanne & Doug Korenuk, and others.
Thank you, readers for following my History Series. I receive lot of feedback from readers, including my Mennonite & Amish friends. Thank you for that. I’m always looking for topics and ideas for stories. Don’t hesitate to call or write to me, or catch me in person at activities and events around Clark County when I’m in the area. On Facebook at Allan Hodnett or email at ahodnett@aol.com or phone (and text) at 414-840-0846.