Economic development initiative gets a facelift

APPLETON - An effort to improve economic development in the area is getting a facelift.

The Appleton Regional Partnership unveiled its new logo Monday.

Officials hope a "new look" will be enough to help attract business from across the country.

The Fox Cities Economic Development Corporation introduced the Appleton Regional Partnership on Monday. The goal is to use the Appleton name to promote the region.

"When we were out marketing to a national or international audience, people don't know where the Fox Cities are. It kind of bogs us down, limits our identification," said Larry Burdhardt, Appleton Regional Partnership Executive Vice President.

The public-private venture has about 50 investors from across the region.

Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce figures show the 5-year plan would create 1,200 jobs. It is expected to contribute $141.4 million to the local economy.

Calumet County has invested $50,000.

"Just having more resources available to us, the corporation can bring us that. The city is Appleton is our largest municipality within Calumet County, having 12,000 or so residents," said Jay Shambeau, Calumet County Administrator.

"There are very few things that we do, that don't have an impact on people outside of the city, and there are things that they do that impact us," said Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna.

But not everyone is totally sold on the idea. The Outagamie County Executive says he supports the plan, but the County Board has yet to act.

"Whether it comes down to the health and human services budget, the highway budget, or the airport budget, or an economic development budget, we as elected officials, we have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure that those public dollars are spent wisely," said Tom Nelson, Outagamie County Executive.

The county board has $150,000 in a contingency fund. It is expected to address the plan at its next meeting.

Meanwhile, the Appleton Regional Partnership is moving forward.

"Competition is very fierce, so we want to get into the game. We're the new guy on the block, but we're ready to roll up our sleeves and get the job done," said Burkhardt.

Officials say they hope to have a new website operating by the end of next month.