Gordon Kacala: Racine County Economic Development Corp. celebrates 25th anniversary

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 10:22 PM CDT

While it’s not quite the Green Bay Packers Ice Bowl Game of 1967, when you talk to folks around the county about the Wingspread conference that recommended the creation of the Racine County Economic Development Corp. in 1983, a lot of folks seemed to have been there. The number of people was close to 100, and attendance included those who were very concerned about the Racine County economy and its future.

While many continue to share that concern today, economic conditions were pretty tough back then. The recession of the early 1980s saw unemployment rates in double digits throughout all of Racine County. Manufacturing was experiencing significant growing pains, and the credit markets witnessed home mortgages of about 13 percent.

Community leaders, however, had a vision for a proactive business development organization that would be organized differently than others across the country. Rather than a private sector or government driven enterprise, the organization would be built on public-private sector partnerships that are so critical to the success of economic development projects. Four months following Wingspread, a small group of government and private sector leaders created the RCEDC.

The truth is, our community leaders’ concern about our economy remains today. That concern is in part for some of the same reasons, such as changes in the manufacturing industry that drives our economy, as well as high unemployment in the City of Racine. Today’s concerns also include some new issues like the globalization of the economy, high oil prices and the retiring baby boomer generation that is, in part, resulting in a future labor shortage.

While economic concerns will always be present, we are asking the community to take a moment to recognize the vision of our community leaders. On May 29, please join us in celebrating RCEDC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. The event will be at the Racine Marriott from 4:30-6 p.m.

As in previous events, we’ve tried to include the most relevant information on what’s happening in the community, as well as a perspective from the outside. This year, Mike Batten, president and chief executive officer of Twin Disc and chairman of the Racine County Workforce Development Board, will present our community’s new plan for work force development. In the making for the past nine months, “Higher Expectations: A Workforce Strategy for Racine County” addresses a variety of education, training and social issues that we hope will provide the foundation for our work force to continue to be an asset to Racine County.

Also, joining us will be nationally renowned speaker Doug Hall. Hall is the founder and chief executive officer of Eureka Ranch, a business development consulting firm that helps companies like Nike, Walt Disney, Proctor & Gamble and American Express discover smarter choices for growth. Hall’s best-selling book is “Jump Start Your Business Brain.” In his Racine presentation, Hall will help us interpret how meeting the work force challenge could change the future of our economy and our community.

Come early and stay late, but don’t miss your chance to attend the RCEDC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Reserve your complimentary registration today by calling (262) 898-7432 or e-mailing us at: rcedc@racinecountyedc.org Seating is limited.

Gordon Kacala is executive director of the Racine County Economic Development Corp.

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