Serving: Waupaca, Iola, Scandinavia, Weyauwega, Fremont, Manawa, Amherst and Surrounding Communities.

Last week Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) and the National Chamber Foundation (NCF) released a study called ‘Growing Wisconsin, Economy and Opportunity’. Following are a few points made during the presentation. To read the full report, please follow this link http://www.wmc.org/PDFfiles/WMC/WMC_Growing-Wisconsin.pdf

Wisconsin’s business climate improved in 2011, but continued reforms are needed to make the state a job-creating powerhouse and special attention is needed to promote manufacturing job creation, says a new U.S. Chamber of Commerce report. “Growing Wisconsin,“ a report from the National Chamber Foundation, provides a clear path for policymakers to help Wisconsin become a more competitive state for job creation. Wisconsin has made tremendous progress improving its business climate, particularly in the first six months of 2011 when the state passed major regulatory reform, tax relief and lawsuit reforms. Wisconsin needs to continue to focus on lowering the tax burden for employers, controlling regulations and ensure the manufacturing sector is protected and promoted to ensure job creation in all

sectors. We have made great strides, and we can do so much more. And, critical to our state’s success is to continue to defend and promote manufacturing because that sector is responsible for one-third of the Wisconsin economy, the report says. Growing Wisconsin: Recommendations to Build an Enterprising State • Implement tax structures targeted at entrepreneurship and job creation. • Streamline regulatory processes to build up the state’s existing economic strength. • Invest in improving worker knowledge and training. • Modernize government and improve efficiency to reduce compliance costs for small businesses. Focus spending on critical investments like training and infrastructure that promote growth. • Protect and defend manufacturing — 33 percent of the Wisconsin economy — to promote job creation in all sectors. • Promote assistance for manufacturers for exports, training and tax relief. Improve the state’s entrepreneurial

and venture capital investment systems to support

small businesses and

November 2011 Newsletter

Growing Wisconsin Staff

President: Terri Schulz Operations Director: Kathy LeClair Tourism Director: Jeff Anderson Information Services: Lynn Tolle Sales Director:

Officers Chair, Jim Trzinski, Jim Trzinski Photography Inc. Chair-Elect, Craig Kantos, Riverside Medical Center Vice Chair / Secretary / Treasurer, Paul Shrode, Fox Valley Technical College Past Chair, Deb Johnson, Advanced Family Eyecare & Optical Center

Directors Trey Foerster, Waupaca Buyers’ Guide Jean Grenlie, Shambeau and Thern Real Estate Steve Johnson, AJ Holly & Sons Kirk Kallio, ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Inc. Allyce Lees, The Paint Store William Lipschultz, Alter Metal Recycling Mark Staniak, Cellcom Julie Thompson, Community First Credit Union Angie Wanty, First National Bank

Concealed Carry Workshop 9

Postal Rate Increase 5

New Member Investors 2

Business After 5 9

News Flash 3

A look inside this issue:

W a u p a c aW a u p a c aW a u p a c a A r e a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c eA r e a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c eA r e a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

Joining Together

PRESIDENT’S CLUB SPONSOR

Contact The Chamber if your business is

interested in becoming a President’s Club

Sponsor. 715-258-7343

Cont. page 2

New Member Investors

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Congratulations October Anniversaries

Congratulations to these businesses, for their longevity in the community. We thank you for supporting the Chamber, and the Waupaca area and wish you many more years of success! First Weber Group 122 S. Main Street Waupaca WI Let us know when your business is celebrating an anniversary. We would love to recognize you! Email: Kathy@WaupacaAreaChamber.com

Taylor Lake Marine, LLC Keith Prust N2757 Cty Hwy QQ Waupaca WI 54981 (715) 942-6889

www.taylorlakemarine.com A full service marina offering pontoon boat rentals, boat storage, dock service storage and more. Featuring a new water sports center. Their goal is to provide quality service for all marina needs.

Personal Fitness Pro's Tim Lencki E763 Tomahawk Trail Waupaca WI 54981 (920) 216-2922 www.personalfitpros.com Tim’s goal is to be a resource in the Waupaca area for health promotion that provides instruction, motivation, exercise training and education in order to help people experience how fitness can positively enhance their life.

promote start-up that create the most jobs. • Promote the livability aspects of Wisconsin’s mid-size communities to attract younger, mid-career families to the state. • Build constructive lines of dialogue between government, business, education and workforce leaders to efficiently and effectively implement needed policy changes.

“By working together to identify opportunities and build consensus for potentially valuable reforms, Wisconsin can lay the foundation for a more enterprising, entrepreneurial and prosperous future,” the report says. The report draws special attention to the Wisconsin manufacturing sector, which directly and indirectly provides 35 percent of all wages in the state. “State leaders should do everything possible to support current manufacturers,” the report says. Wisconsin has 88 percent more manufacturing concentration than the typical state, the report says. “Manufacturing leads the way as the state’s most competitive industry.” Wisconsin is headed in the right direction and we can do so much more.

Study conducted by Praxis Strategy Group

Jalopy Productions Rick Schlabowske (920) 915-4946 www.rumblefest.net Offering Rumble Fest. Labor Day weekend at the Portage County Fair Grounds, Amherst. A pre ‘65 traditional Hot Rods, Kustoms and Jalopies event including bands, amping, swap meet, vintage jalopy racing on a 3/6 mile dirt track, mini-bike drags, dunk tank, ladies roller derby, pin-up girl contest and more.

Growing Wisconsin Cont. from page 1

5 Years

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Jim Schulz of Jim King Adventure has been named the spokesperson for Waupaca Eating Smart. Watch the local media for the ‘Where’s Jim Eating’ column.

Strongwood presents a Cornocopia of New Ideas at their Open House on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10am to 2pm, at the corner of Hwy 10 and 22 S. Offering

treats, warm cider and a warm fire. Tour their model or other local homes. They are not just a log home company but also specialize in timber and cedar homes as well as renovations. Learn about their newest service, Home Technologies, focusing on home audio, security, lighting and HVAC/temperature control.

Cellcom has begun preparations to deploy fourth-generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) technology across their network. According to president and CEO Patrick Riordan, Cellcom has purchased cellular equipment for the advanced 4G wireless network from Ericsson, a world leader in mobile technologies, and will begin installing the equipment through the remainder of

2011. Extensive network testing will begin in early 2012 and the company plans to deploy 4G LTE across portions of all of its Wisconsin markets by the end of 2012. As the 4G network is turned up, customers will simultaneously have access to a nationwide 4G network thanks to Cellcom partnerships.

Waupaca is spotlighted in a New York Times magazine, Oct. 16, 2011, article “What You Get for $300,000 In…” thanks to Joe Udoni of United Country - Udoni & Salan Realty Group. The article shows what $300,000 will get you for a home in various communities in the US including Memphis, Albuquerque, NM; Omaha, Neb.; Seattle; Reno, Nev.; San Francisco; Upper St. Clair, Pa and others.

Watch for Waupaca in the Appleton Christmas Parade The Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to be part of the 41st Annual Appleton Christmas Parade on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. The parade will have over 80,000 spectators as well as being televised live on WFRV-TV Channel 5 to over 100,000 viewers. The entry will feature the Waupaca High School Madrigal Singers performing holiday favorites while being pulled through the city streets on horse drawn wagon by Horsin’ Around Wagon Tours of Weyauwega. In addition, the wagon will be surrounded by individuals walking and acting out their favorite Christmas past time.

Boost Your Business E-Commerce! Seminar 3: Boost Your Business With E-Commerce Getting started and navigating e-commerce is overwhelming. Driving sales via the web is a requirement in today’s marketplace. Increase your small business ability to generate revenue, explore different e-commerce options and learn how to sell your products on the web. Member Price: $20 per session Prospective Member Price: $30 per session. To sign up online please click here or contact the Chamber at (715) 258-7343.

Wintervergnügen - It’s a Winter Festival…German Style!

January 27 & 28, 2012 marks the date of the first annual Wintervergnügen (translation – winter fun) in Waupaca.

The Festival will take place on Shadow Lake and at Lower South Park featuring activities such as ice carving, ice bowling, boot hockey, a chili cookoff and entertainment.

More information available soon at WaupacaMemories.com.

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Thought You Might be Interested

2012 Postal Rate Increase BACKGROUND:

Prices for most Postal Service mailing services will change on January 22, 2012. Mailing services includes First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services. Prices for shipping services will also change on January 22. We will provide customers the new shipping services prices later this fall.

While actual percentage price increases for various products and services varies, the overall average price increase across all mailing services is capped by law at 2.1 percent, the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

FIRST-CLASS MAIL HIGHLIGHTS:

■ ■Letters (1 oz.) – 1-cent increase to 45 cents. This is the first increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp since May 2009.

■ ■Single-piece letters additional ounce rate – unchanged at 20 cents.

■ ■Postcards – 3-cent increase to 32 cents

■ ■Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.) – 5-cent increase to 85 cents

■ ■Letters to other international destinations – 7-cent increase to $1.05

■ ■The second ounce will be free for First-Class Mail Presort pieces weighing between one and two ounces.

ADDITIONAL PRICE ADJUSTMENT HIGHLIGHTS:

■ ■The price increase for Standard Mail Letters is slightly below the overall average at less than 1.9 percent

■ ■A new 3-month pricing option will be available to rent PO Boxes for people on the move and others that need a PO Box for a shorter time period.

■ ■Delivery Confirmation will be free for several parcel products as the Postal Service continues to make tracking an integral component of parcels mailed at commercial rates.

PERCENTAGE OF PRICE CHANGE BY CLASS OF MAIL:

*With the excep on of Delivery Confirma on and Confirm, most Extra Services prices increase at about 2.1 %. Adding Delivery Confirma on and Confirm services as included services for some parcels results in the overall price reduc on for Extra Services.

ROLE OF THE POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION:

The new prices were filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission on Oct. 18, 2011. The Commission has 45 days to review the prices to verify they comply with the overall 2.1 percent price cap for each class of mail. The new prices will go into effect on Jan. 22, 2012.

Class Percent Change

First‐Class Mail 2.133

Standard Mail 2.124

Periodicals 2.133

Package Services 2.133

Extra Services ‐0.663*

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The annual New North Summit is an exclusive event attended by business and organizational leaders from all 18 counties of the New North region and beyond.

Registration is now open for the 2011 event. Here are a few of the highlights you can expect this year:

expect to learn Target clusters ... economic outlook ... Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) ... business-focused content ... Summit attendees have asked for more opportunities to learn from one another and we’re making sure that is our priority for Summit 2011.

expect to taste As in years past, the annual New North Summit convenes some of the best culinary creations in the New North region to provide new taste sensations for attendees. Come ready to mix and mingle.

expect to network Mark your calendars for December 7, 2011 and come to the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay for the best Summit experience ever — and expect to connect.

Harvest Relationships with LINKe LINKe is inviting you to join them to network with area import/export professionals and to participate in a relaxed discussion that will help to Harvest Relationships. Registration is free. To register please email Rebekah Kubista at rebekah.kubista@gotoltc.edu or call her at 920-695-1651

Waupaca Eating Smart (WES) is a new initiative in local restaurants, grocery and convenience stores highlighting healthier options available to customers with the WES logo. These featured meals are under 700 calories and include a cup of fruits or vegetables. Look for the WES logo today. www.WaupacaEatingSmart.wordpress.com or find them on Facebook.

Thought You Might be Interested

Employee Rights Notice Posting

As of January 31, 2012, most private sector employers are required to post a notice advising employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. The notice should be posted in a conspicuous place, where other notifications of workplace rights and employer rules and policies are posted. Employers also should publish a link to the notice on an internal or external website if other personnel policies or workplace notices are posted there.

For further information about the posting, including a detailed discussion of which employers are covered by the NLRA, and what to do if a substantial share of the workplace speaks a language other than English go to: https://www.nlrb.gov/poster

Reminder: Chamber Gift Certificates make wonderful Christmas gifts. You may purchase them in any amount and it means your purchase is money

that will circulate within our community. It’s the perfect gift. It will never be the wrong size, wrong color or they just plain didn’t like it. Plus the person receiving the gift can spend it at nearly 400 businesses.

Call ahead and we will have them ready for you! 715-258-7343, fax 715-258-7868 or Lynn@WaupacaAreaChamber.com

For You

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Tuesday, November

15th at 5 PM

Hosted by

Wisconsin Title, Inc. At

T.W. Martin's Public House

111 Cooper Street, Waupaca

Business after 5 is a great opportunity to invite potential members. Bring one or more people as your guest and introduce them to other business professionals and the WACC.

October BuSiness After 5 Thank you to our sponsors Best Western Plus Grand Season Hotel and D’Feugo Restaurant for a great evening!

Concealed Carry

Informational Workshop To keep you informed of current issues the WACC will hold two informational sessions on Concealed Carry Law and how it will affect your business. Sherriff Brad Hardel will cover what you need to know and be aware of, how to make a decision on making a policy for your business, and what type of signage you may need to post.

The sessions will be about one hour and will provide time for Q&A. There is no cost to attend. Nov. 3rd 5:15 pm at the WACC Conference Room and Nov. 10th 7:30am at Farmers State Bank, lower level. Please RSVP to the Chamber office, 715-258-7343 or via email to Kathy@waupacaareachamber.com.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

Board of Directors Strategic Planning Session 8am-Noon

2 3 LEADS Network 7:30 am Comfort Suites Concealed Carry Workshop 5:15 pm Chamber Conference Room

4 Workshop -Boost Your Business E-commerce Workshop 7:30a FVTC

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Daylight Savings Time Ends, Turn your clocks back

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9 Member Support Committee 7:30 am Chamber Conference Room

10 Concealed Carry Workshop 7:30 am Farmers State Bank, Lower level Retail Roundtable 8am Tourism Promotion Committee, 7:30 am Chamber Conference Room

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15 Business Enhancement Committee Meeting 7:30am Chamber Conference Room HR Network 4:00 pm Simpson’s Business After 5 Sponsored by Wisconsin Title at TW Martin’s

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17 LEADS Network 7:30 am Best Western Grand Seasons

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21 22 Political Strategies Committee Meeting 8am Chamber Conference Room

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Reminders: 1. The deadline for the newsletter advertisement submission is the 15th of each month. 2. The Board of Directors usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month. 3. Business After 5 usually takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Note: The Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-secular organiza-tion. Holidays listed are legal holidays and are posted for business conven-ience only.

November 2011 Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday

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Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce 221 S. Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981 - Phone 715-258-7343 - Fax 715-258-7868