Go-Edc Foundation

Support workforce initiatives to connect people to jobs - these include looking at areas in transportation, broadband, and childcare. Continued administration of winnebago catch a ride program to provide employment transportation. Initiated a program focus on childcare issues including education of local businesses on the problem, coordination of partners and providers, listening sessions, and applying for grant funding to increase capacity of local childcare facilities.

Funding for business owners in distressed areas - actively administer the capital catalyst fund, which is a partnership between the city of oshkosh, wedc, and previously chamco, to help early stage businesses that lack capital. Many of the businesses supported are located in the 54901 zip code. Added a new program to specifically target small and emerging businesses in rurally designated areas.

Remove/restore blighted commercial properties - continue working with property owners in sawdust area to assist them with projects which could create jobs in the sawdust redevelopment area or transition out of this area to make way for uses that are consistent with long-range and neighborhood plans. Coordinated site selection process which located a new healthcare development on a blighted and environmentally at-risk property. Assisted with the promotion and selection of a developer to build mixed use and multifamily development on the former industrial site in sawdust district.

Support for businesses which create jobs for disadvantaged persons - continue efforts to meet with downtown businesses, large employers and small, to discuss financial needs for growth and parking issues so that they can remain downtown and contribute towards the urban revitalization of our 54901-zip code. Supported relocation of several businesses following significant water damage to downtown building, prioritizing accessibility of new locations. Recruited quality employers to vacant commercial spaces in accessible locations.