Economic Summit celebrates area development

It was a behind-the-scenes look at economic development with a rock-and-roll soundtrack Thursday at Shawano County Economic Progress Inc.’s 10th annual Economic Summit.

Economic development and growth happen every day in Shawano and Menominee counties, but much of it happens quietly behind the scenes, said Dennis Heling, SCEPI chief economic development officer.

SCEPI pumped up the volume on those behind-the-scenes activities with a uniquely themed summit.

“It was behind the scenes of a rock concert,” Heling said. “What we tried to do was let everyone know all of the activities that go on in the community that most of us don’t know about.”

After a short introduction, the lights went dark for a rock-and-roll backed light show, followed by a half-hour video celebrating a variety of businesses that arrived on scene or expanded over the past year, as well as those with expansion projects in the works.

The video included interviews between Heling and area government and business leaders discussing the economic impact of the various projects.

Among businesses featured in the video were ThedaCare, North Star Casino, Menominee Casino Resort, Woodstock Hardwood Flooring, Mike’s County Meats, AgVentures and Forrest Enterprises.

Heling said he hoped the video, by Digital Self Image Video and Photography, would give people an idea of the hard work that goes on between businesses, political leaders and government staff.

“They’re all trying to make a difference, helping us with a variety of projects,” Heling said. “You saw a whole litany of different businesses that were impacted over the last year, some of the growth and expansions and those are only a few of the many that are happening in the region.”

Heling said economic development is really a team effort.

“It takes a lot of hard work from a lot of people who have passion for it,” he said.