**ADDENDUM**

LA CROSSE COUNTY NOTICE OF MEETING

COMMITTEE/BOARD: LA CROSSE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND, INC.

DATE OF MEETING: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

MEETING PLACE: ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER / COUNTY BOARD ROOM (RM 1700)

212 6TH ST. N, LA CROSSE, WI 54601

or Microsoft Teams Meeting

TIME OF MEETING: 7:30 A.M.

PURPOSE OF MEETING:

1. Call to Order/Roll Call

2. Public Comment

3. Approve Minutes of August 5, 2021

4. ARPA Funding Program

5. Hotel Coupon Program

6. Envision Plan - Update

7. Synergy - Update

8. Childcare Report – Allyson Fergot

*9. Consideration of LADCO Contribution for 2021

10. Agency Updates

11. Next Meeting – October 7, 2021

12. Future Agenda Items

13. Adjourn

NEWS MEDIA

La Crosse Tribune Other news media

OTHERS

Brian Fukuda

Charlie Handy

Dave Bonifas

Karl Green

Andrea Trane

Tim Kabat

Jim Brickl

Sam Bachmeier

Mike Herro

Teresa DeLong

COUNTY DEPARTMENTS

County Board Chair

County Administrator

County Clerk

Paul Gleason

Scott Heinig

Ryan Olson

Carl Colsch

Chris Hardie Anne Hlavacka

Peg Isola

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Monica Kruse, President Kim Cable, Vice President

Sharon Davidson, Secretary/Treasurer

Gibran Augustine

Patti Balacek

Vicki Burke

Megan DeVore

Randy Erickson

Debra McKenney

Joe Moua

Steve O’Malley

Tim Padesky

Andrea Richmond

Jose Rubio-Zepeda

Patrick Scheller

PUBLIC COMMENT: The Committee may receive information from the public, but the Committee reserves the right

to limit the time that the public may comment and the degree to which members of the public may participate in the

meeting.

MEMBERS: NEED A QUORUM TO CONDUCT BUSINESS If unable to attend, call County Community Development Office

at 785-5792.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: If you need accommodation to attend this meeting, please contact County Community

Development Office at 785-5792 as soon as possible.

DATE NOTICE POSTED: August 30, 2021

This meeting may be recorded, and any such recording is subject to

Disclosure under the Wisconsin Open Records Law

LA CROSSE COUNTY NOTICE OF MEETING

COMMITTEE/BOARD: LA CROSSE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND, INC.

DATE OF MEETING: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

MEETING PLACE: ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER / COUNTY BOARD ROOM (RM 1700)

212 6TH ST. N, LA CROSSE, WI 54601

or Microsoft Teams Meeting

TIME OF MEETING: 7:30 A.M.

PURPOSE OF MEETING:

1. Call to Order/Roll Call

2. Public Comment

3. Approve Minutes of August 5, 2021

4. ARPA Funding Program

5. Hotel Coupon Program

6. Envision Plan - Update

7. Synergy - Update

8. Childcare Report – Allyson Fergot

9. Agency Updates

10. Next Meeting – October 7, 2021

11. Future Agenda Items

12. Adjourn

NEWS MEDIA

La Crosse Tribune Other news media

OTHERS

Brian Fukuda

Charlie Handy

Dave Bonifas

Karl Green

Andrea Trane

Tim Kabat

Jim Brickl

Sam Bachmeier

Mike Herro

Teresa DeLong

COUNTY DEPARTMENTS

County Board Chair

County Administrator

County Clerk

Paul Gleason

Scott Heinig

Ryan Olson

Carl Colsch

Chris Hardie Anne Hlavacka

Peg Isola

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Monica Kruse, President Kim Cable, Vice President

Sharon Davidson, Secretary/Treasurer

Gibran Augustine

Patti Balacek

Vicki Burke

Megan DeVore

Randy Erickson

Debra McKenney

Joe Moua

Steve O’Malley

Tim Padesky

Andrea Richmond

Jose Rubio-Zepeda

Patrick Scheller

PUBLIC COMMENT: The Committee may receive information from the public, but the Committee reserves the right

to limit the time that the public may comment and the degree to which members of the public may participate in the

meeting.

MEMBERS: NEED A QUORUM TO CONDUCT BUSINESS If unable to attend, call County Community Development Office

at 785-5792.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: If you need accommodation to attend this meeting, please contact County Community

Development Office at 785-5792 as soon as possible.

DATE NOTICE POSTED: August 27, 2021

This meeting may be recorded, and any such recording is subject to

Disclosure under the Wisconsin Open Records Law

La Crosse County Economic Development Fund, Inc

September 2, 2021 Meeting - Staff Report

#4 – ARPA Funding Programs

The County Board has been working on identifying priorities for the use of the fiscal recovery funds that La Crosse

County stands to receive from the American Rescue Plan Act ($22,890,000). Some of the priorities that have been

identified cross into the priorities of the EDF Board. We will review these project areas in Affordable Housing,

Childcare, and Local Economy/Tourism. The next step will be to form task forces do further develop proposals that

will be taken back to the County Board in December. Attached is the “Project Glossary” that discusses all of the

priorities that the Board has set.

#5 – Hotel Coupon Program

We are working with Explore La Crosse on a program that would encourage conference/convention attendees to

return to town as leisure travelers. Using the Advertising and Promotions line item in the economic development

budget, we plan to pilot this program at the Wisconsin Counties Association and Wisconsin Child Support

Enforcement Association conferences (in September and October). Details of the program will be shared at the

meeting.

#6 – Envision 2050 Plan Update

Attached are the goals and priorities that the EDF Board set for 2020-21. We plan to incorporate these into the

economic development element of the Envision 2050 Plan. So, we thought it would be a good time to have a

discussion on any new priorities or changes to the existing ones. We are also starting to strategize on some

public/stakeholder input into the economic development element of the plan.

#7 – Synergy Update

The Synergy group has made contact with Peter Hughes about facilitating a strategic planning session and is looking

to schedule that. The session will be focused on establishing the “why” of synergy, setting some common goals, and

thinking strategically about joint initiatives.

#8 – Childcare Report – Allyson Fergot

As part of our UniverCity Year partnership with UW-Madison, we have had a summer intern who has been doing

some research on childcare solutions. Her research has been focused in the areas of universal pre-K and career

pathways for careers in childcare. Allyson will present her research to the Board, as a wrap-up for her summer

internship.

#9 – Agency Updates

Any partner agency/organization will be able to provide any relevant updates on projects that they are working on.

LA CROSSE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND, INC. August 5, 2021

Room 1700 – Administrative Center

MEMBERS PRESENT: Monica Kruse, Kim Cable, Sharon Davidson, Megan DeVore,

Randy Erickson, Steve O’Malley, Tim Padesky, Andrea

Richmond, Patrick Scheller, Patti Balacek, Vicki Burke, Joe

Moua

MEMBERS EXCUSED: Gibran Augustine, Jose Rubio-Zepeda, Debra McKenney,

OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Fukuda, Charlie Handy, Jeff Wrobel, Sam Bachmeier, Mic

Michaels, Tim Kabat, Bob Burg, Mike Herro, Patrick Barlow,

Mitch Reynolds, Neal Zygarlicke, Charlotte Peters (recorder)

CALL TO ORDER

President Kruse called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jeff Wrobel, CEO Kwik Trip; Mic Michaels, CFO of Inland; and Bob Berg spoke on behalf of LADCO.

No other public comments were made.

Introduction of new recorder Charlotte Peters, Office Administrator for Zoning, Planning & Land

Information who will be acting as recorder for these meetings.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE July 1, 2021 LA CROSSE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FUND, INC. MEETING

Motion to approve the minutes of July 1st, 2021, Richmond / Burke. No additions, corrections, comments

were made. Motion carried unanimously; Gibran Augustine, Debra McKenney, Jose Rubio-Zepeda

excused.

CONSIDERATION OF LADCO CONTRIBUTION FOR 2021

Chair Kruse introduced the item and indicated the recommendation to move all economic development

partner dues to a more equitable amount, with additional funding available to partner on specific priority

projects in the future. Mr. O’Malley indicated a long history of confusion over why the County contributes

a higher level of funding to LADCO than any other partner organization. LADCO has not been able to

provide justification for that amount and has not been willing to look at a dues restructure. It is clear that

this is going to be a contentious debate on this issue that will not move our relationship forward, so it may

be better to table the issue and try to come to a better solution.

Motion by O’Malley / Padesky to table item 4 to the October meeting. This motion is not debatable.

Burke suggested that a better motion would be to refer the item. Amended Motion by O’Malley /

Padesky to refer item 4 to the October meeting.

Motion carried 9 aye, 3 nay, 0 abstain, Excused: Augustine, McKenny, Rubio-Zepeda

CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR CDBG-CV MICROENTERPRISE GRANT PROGRAM

Brian Fukuda discussed an addition to the initial list of applicants, ‘Ohana Yoga. Some discussion of what

the funding would be used for and how the amounts were arrived at was had. The grant to Ohana Yoga

was recommended at $7,200. MOTION by Erickson/Padesky to approve grant award of $7,200 to Ohana

Yoga. Motion carried unanimously; Gibran Augustine, Debra McKenney, Jose Rubio-Zepeda

excused

CONSIDERATION OF DOWNTOWN MAINSTREET, INC REQUEST FOR ARTS FUNDING

Discussion of a beautification project to paint the planters and signal boxes in La Crosse. Downtown

Mainstreet has requested $5,000 from the Arts/Cultural Projects line item in the economic development

budget.

Motion to refer item number 6 to September meeting Schaller / Erickson

More discussion was had regarding the timing of the project and activities that are occurring in La Crosse

in the coming months and how it would benefit La Crosse to allow this project to commence sooner rather

than putting it off.

Motion to refer to next month Scheller / Erickson, Motion defeated unanimously; Gibran Augustine,

Debra McKenney, Jose Rubio-Zepeda excused

Motion to award $5000 to downtown Main Street for arts funding. Motion passed unanimously;

Gibran Augustine, Debra McKenney, Jose Rubio-Zepeda excused

UPDATE ON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TALENT ATTRACTION CAMPAIGN & CONSIDERATION OF

ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Mr. Neal Zygarlicke gave a short presentation regarding the talent attraction campaign and the progress

that has been made on the website and asked for additional funding to continue the work that is being

done. Discussion was had regarding when the site would be active, what the additional funding would be

used for and how the County would benefit from agreeing to the additional funding. A target date of

October was stated for the website to be taken live.

Motion Balacek / Richmond, to provide another $10,000 for level 2 funding to the talent attraction

campaign. Motion passed unanimously; Gibran Augustine, Debra McKenney, Jose Rubio-Zepeda

excused

ENVISION 2050 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE

Charlie Handy updated the committee that the existing conditions report portion of the plan was about

95% complete and would be updated as the remaining information that is needed becomes available. He

also discussed the Farmland Preservation portion of the plan and the public input activities that have been

held to gain both support and feedback from not only landowners but from community members. While

the response has been much better for this plan that ones in the past, but there are still some groups that

the committee is hoping to gain input from. Staff is working with UW extension and several other

programs in an effort to reach those groups.

SYNERGY UPDATE

Brian Fukuda updated the committee about items discussed at the last Synergy meeting. The main points

were that the committee wants to explore options before a consultant is hired. It is believed that there

may be people in the community that could be used to facilitate in strategic planning and if utilized it has

the potential to save the costs that are associated with hiring a consultant group. Brian also discussed that

the group is working well together and is trying to ensure that the process is inclusive to all concerned

parties as well and cooperative and collaborative. Karl Green was commended for his part as a facilitator

and the excellent job he is doing.

There were no questions or further discussion by the members.

AGENCY UPDATES – Sam Bachmeier

• Discussed ongoing efforts to bring businesses into the area and several of the RFIs that are in

process. There was some discission regarding the ShopKo buildings as well as Gordy’s Market.

• The Wisconsin economic development association award nominees were listed: Great River

Residences in the city of Onalaska, David & Barb Skogen Boys and Girls Club in the village of

Holmen, and Kwik Trip as a whole in the category of economic driver.

• Some of the small business resiliency funds have been distributed to the Coulee Region Business

Center tenants.

• LADCO’s part in the talent attraction campaign was also discussed.

• An invitation was extended for the committee to attend the LADCO industry appreciation event

which will be held in October

o Tentative guest speaker will be from the Walton Family Foundation.

• Coulee Region Business Center updates

o Coulee Auto, Task Karate, Blue Stars Performing Arts For The Youth have moved into new

locations.

o There is also an open house coming up on September 15th, to highlight the 17 small

businesses currently in the facility.

o The building will be undergoing a complete architectural engineering analysis and a drive to

locate funds to implement the changes will be started soon.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – None noted

NEXT MEETING – September 2nd, 2021

ADJOURN

There being no further busines, MOTION by Richmond / Moua to adjourn meeting at 9:08 a.m.

Motion carried unanimously; Gibran Augustine, Debra McKenney, Jose Rubio-Zepeda excused

Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next Committee meeting.

Charlotte Peters, Recorder

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American Recovery Plan Act Project Glossary

The purpose of this document is to help provide some explanation for the various program ideas to be

further explored by County appointed task forces. These programs are arranged based on the main

program areas determined by the La Crosse County Board. Some projects may hit multiple areas of

impact.

1. Sustainability & Environmental Protection

A) Expanded Conservation Practices Conservation programs take on a range of activities that may help reduce soil erosion and slow down runoff from storm events. This may include activities such as: Streambank Stabilization, flood/stormwater protection and conservation easements. Greater focus on slowing down runoff and reducing sediment loading into local streams will reduce need for bridge/highway/culvert projects impacted by flood events, as well as help cover expenses for farmers and landowners that may not be able to cover expenses of large-scale erosion reduction.

B) Renewable/green Infrastructure Incentives: Programs (grants/low interest loans) under this category would be developed to encourage homeowners, farmers, businesses, and other organizations to install renewable/green infrastructure on their properties. Initial capital costs often preclude the use of renewable energy producing systems and their long-term savings. Using ARPA funding for these expenses will stimulate the renewable energy economy, while producing long-term energy savings for homeowners, farmers and businesses.

C) Organic and Local Food Development: Programming projects could be used to support organic transition periods for farmers that convert to organic farming or local food producers aiming to increase local food production. Farmers and food producers looking to make this transition may endure a period of reduced revenues. ARPA funding could be used to help cover these costs to improve transition success.

2. Affordable Housing

A) Supported Bridge Housing for Families

This option would provide short-term immediate housing for families combined with case

management. The housing would serve as a bridge from homelessness/shelter to transitional,

long-term supported or permanent housing options. Case management is essential to address

issues impacting immediate and long-term stability. Currently community options for unhoused

families are area homeless shelters or an underfunded patchwork system of hotel

vouchers. Neither option, when available provides the support or length of stay necessary to

secure a longer-term living arrangement. This often leads to endless transitions and a forced

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transient lifestyle. Supporting families through these situations is also extremely taxing on

workers/helpers due to systemic barriers, specialized knowledge that is needed for housing

navigation, and lack of options.

B) Supported Housing for Individuals with Substance Use/Persistent Mental Health Issues

Provide medium to longer-term housing with case management plus onsite staffing for

unhoused individuals struggling with severe and persistent mental health and/or substance use.

Components would include onsite staffing, case management, and the ability to establish a

rental history. This could reduce cost in several areas, including payment for individuals

requiring placement at state mental health institutions. Often, individuals with severe and

persistent mental health concerns having an increase in mental health symptoms when faced

with chronic homelessness. Few community helpers exist with the combination of willingness,

expertise, and resources to effectively support these individuals with long-term solutions.

C) Grants for Housing Redevelopment

Partner with local municipalities to develop local program(s) aimed at assisting residents looking

to redevelop aged/dilapidated housing stock into more modern, reasonably sized, energy

efficient housing. This could include a variety of interest groups, such as first-time homeowners,

aging homeowners, etc. The expense of new construction for housing could be offset to focus

greater development into already developed municipalities by covering tear down and disposal

expenses of dilapidated, aged housing units.

3. Infrastructure w/ Focus on Aging

A) Hillview Redevelopment

Provide funding to assist with a transition at Hillview to a newer building with a smaller footprint

and a facility with greater focus on specialty care/shorter term stays. Hillview was built to house

226 residents but has a current census of about 80 people, which reflects changes in the long-

term care model. To create a sustainable future for the facility, a transition to a smaller and

more modern campus that’s better equipped to provide specialty care is recommended.

The use of ARPA funds would also reduce the need for revenue from property taxes to help fund

a major redevelopment. The proposed transition would allow Hillview to meet a need from area

hospitals and the broader community for specialty care for people with dementia and mental

health disorders. At the same time, it would put Hillview on a firmer financial footing for the

future.

4. Childcare

A) Strategic Investments in Childcare

By developing incentives for area employers to work together to offer childcare services for

their employees, we would be able to increase the financial viability of childcare businesses,

which would lead to more availability of quality, affordable childcare. The biggest challenge to

our local economy is the availability of workforce, and the lack of childcare is a growing obstacle

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for parents to reenter the workforce. This issue also tends to impact low-income families at a

greater rate.

B) Community Supported Neighborhood Model

This program is designed around providing childcare in specific geographies (neighborhood

school boundary areas) where student mobility is greatest. By providing childcare services in

these areas it would likely improve employment opportunities for residents, potentially reduce

student mobility and in turn improve student performance at the neighborhood school.

Neighborhood schools with the greatest student mobility volumes would be targeted. This is a

pilot program that has the ability to measure the impact providing childcare services has on a

wide range of issues impacting family incomes, student mobility and student performance.

5. Local Economy & Tourism

A) Tourism Incentives

By working with Explore La Crosse to first incentivize conferences and conventions to commit

to returning to our community for multiple years, and then offering incentives for conference

attendees to return as leisure travelers, we would give our hospitality industry the boost it

needs. The hospitality industry has been hit by a double whammy with shutdowns due to

COVID and now workforce shortages that are causing operational reductions. Not only is this

industry important to our local economy, but it also creates amenities that speak to the overall

quality of life of our community, and therefore overall workforce attraction.

B) New Technology Incentives

By offering incentives to encourage local businesses to implement technologies that will allow

greater efficiencies with available human capital, we are able to keep businesses and our local

economy growing. The workforce shortage is the number one issue that is stressing our local

economy – forcing many businesses to reduce hours of operation, lose profits, and pass up

opportunities for growth. This is an issue that is not going away as more Baby Boomers retire

and fewer people enter the workforce, so we need to make bold investments to keep our

economy strong.

C) Immigrant Friendly Community Investments

Working with partners to build a better support network for immigrant populations will help

our community to welcome the workforce that will be needed to keep our economy strong.

From ethnic restaurants and grocery stores to social organizations and cultural programming,

we need to be intentional about creating a welcoming community for diverse populations. The

workforce shortage is the number one issue that is stressing our local economy – forcing many

businesses to reduce hours of operation, lose profits, and pass up opportunities for growth.

This is an issue that is not going away, and the communities that will best be able to compete in

the new economy are those that are really to welcome a diverse workforce and reduce

barriers.

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D) Skilled Trades Training

Working with partners to develop better training programs and facilities to help youth find and

be successful in careers in the trades will help fill workforce gaps in a critical sector of our

economy. Skilled trades have been struggling with attracting workforce for a while, but those

challenges have been amplified by both COVID and the overall workforce shortages. Without

adequate workforce in the skilled trades, it is difficult to keep our tax base strong and our local

economy growing.

La Crosse County EDF Goal Setting – 2020-21 Big Picture Goals:

• Encourage high-skill, living-wage job growth & support workforce attraction, retention and development.

• Welcome diverse cultural perspectives to inspire creativity and innovation and improve business environment.

• Support sustainable tax base creation and assist in the elimination of blight.

• Contribute to better housing opportunities, neighborhoods, and quality of life.

• Work toward greater efficiency of public services through regional collaboration.

• Actively support the economic resiliency and recovery of our community in response to the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Priorities: a. Develop, manage, and promote appropriate business and development assistance/incentive

programs

b. Perform meaningful, effective business outreach

c. Provide support for area non-profit organization that assist in meeting our big picture goals

d. Promote land use and transportation policy links

e. Develop County-owned properties to highest and best use while working to fill gaps in the market

f. Assist in the development of other (municipal and private) properties

g. Promote and support entrepreneurship

h. Continue to cultivate a local environment of sustainability, building on the existing reputation

i. Work with regional partners to study and provide public and board education on new trends and demographics, and maintain meaningful economic indicators

j. Market the benefits and opportunities of La Crosse County, for both residents and tourists

k. Work with partners to develop incentives and economic solutions to improve the availability of quality child-care and early childhood education options