2019 – A Thriving Year for SCLCOEDC and Its Partnerships
December 13, 2019
The Sawyer County/Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development Corporation had a year filled with new and existing business support, Placemaking, pursuing broadband, workforce attraction… you name it and our volunteers are working to support it. Click on the image for some highlights.
Business Improvement District (BID) PASSES City Council Vote
June 10, 2019
The Downtown BID Proposal passed with a unanimous vote at the June City Council Meeting and the suggested board members were approved. Now the real work begins for this group. Please congratulate them when you can. The folks behind most of the legwork in getting this through were Billie Jo Sabin, James Netz, Cindy Swift, Jennifer Titus, and Cathy Peterson who spent hundreds of hours preparing for meetings and pounding the pavement to meet with proposed BID and City Council members. One of the first goals upon getting the Hayward Downtown BID up and running was to establish a FB page and it is under development. Please LIKE and SHARE the page; more content will continue to be added. https://www.facebook.com/Downtown-Hayward-Wisconsin-384808929048070/
By Joe Morey LCO News Editor
Hayward Area Memorial Hospital & Water’s Edge Donates to SCLCOEDC
4/30/2019
The Sawyer County/Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development Corporation would like to thank Hayward Area Memorial Hospital & Water’s Edge for their continued financial support. It is through donations such as yours that we are able to continue our mission of Promoting a Thriving Sawyer County.
SC/LCO EDC Hires New Director
Ann Kozak
We’re proud to announce Ann Kozak as SC/LCO EDC’s new Director. Ann comes to us while also employed by Hayward Area Memorial Hospital & Waters Edge as their Community Services Coordinator. A veteran of juggling multiple responsibilities, her dynamic work history includes industry experience with the Ashland Area Development Corporation, insurance underwriting, customer service, and social work for Ashland County. Ann holds degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UW-Platteville.
Ann will head EDC’s New Business Engagement team as well as being responsible for outreach efforts with established tribal and county businesses. She’ll serve as the main public contact and spokesperson for our organization.
This is Ann’s vision in her own words:
“I got involved with SCLCOEDC because I feel Sawyer County needs an organization that can:
- Connect businesses with resources (grants/loans/business resources/other business owners)
- Advocate for business owners (attend meetings with business owners/promote local businesses)
- Create an environment where businesses can thrive (placemaking/broadband/housing/workforce development)
I truly believe that having an economic development organization increases the community’s ability to retain jobs and businesses, support business expansion, and recruit new businesses to the area.
This is an exciting time for Sawyer County. The new generation of business owners/workers is choosing where they want to live based on what the area has to offer instead of based on their job. Sawyer County has so much to offer! Whether you like silent sports or motor sports, fishing and hunting or Main Street shopping, quiet walks in the woods or large events or simply enjoy the beautiful lakes and forests, you can find it here.
I look forward to exploring opportunities for economic development in Sawyer County while maintaining the natural beauty of our area.”
~ Ann Kozak
Ann grew up on a southwestern Wisconsin dairy farm with 5 brothers and 5 sisters. She and Hayward native, Ben, have been married for 26 years and are the parents of three adult children. She enjoys gardening, cross-country skiing, and has been selflessly dedicated to several volunteer organizations over the years including Habitat for Humanity, Ashland, Bayfield and Hayward Cross-Country Skiing, CBSC Youth Soccer, Washburn Schools and the Birkie.
Anticipate seeing Ann around the county during the next several weeks. She will be making the rounds to area businesses to officially introduce herself and gather input on how the EDC can best serve you and our community. Please take a moment to drop Ann a note, introduce yourself, and welcome her to our dynamic organization. She can be reached at info@sclcoedc.com or by calling 715-209-1295.