Forming Fennimore’s Future Community Goal Setting Session – Wednesday, Feb 7
The first Forming Fennimore’s Future community goal setting meeting was held in 2009 while Mindy Krantz (Johnson) was the president of the Fennimore Chamber of Commerce. Now, more than a decade later, Fennimore leaders want to bring back the popular goal setting session.
We are asking everyone interested in working together to help Fennimore be progressive and grow to come take part in setting goals and strategies on ways to accomplish them by working together.
Forming Fennimore’s Future will be co-sponsored by the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce, Fennimore Industrial and Economic Development Corp and the Fennimore City Council. The session will be held in the Fennimore Memorial building gym on Wednesday, February 7. The evening begins with CommUNITY soup supper served between 5 to 6 p.m. with the work session to begin promptly at 6 p.m. The goal is to review past achievements and collectively come up with goals to help Fennimore grow and prosper.
Invitation to Forming Fennimore’s Future Goal Setting Session
Who should attend? Everyone who is interested in Fennimore’s future and is willing to work with others to help Fennimore prosper now and into the next decade. The organizers hope to see multi-generations here to take on the task. We hope to bring together families, members of volunteer organizations, students from Fennimore Schools and Southwest Tech, members of Scouts, 4-H, FFA and youth organizations, and adults of all ages interested in the future of our community. Please send me contact information for community organization leaders so we can spread the word about the planning session.
Watch for more details on Forming Fennimore Future coming soon or contact Linda Parrish, Promotions Coordinator, 608-822-3599 or promo@fenniore.com.
Chamber Membership Drive Begins
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce is winding up another successful year. The Chamber board of directors would like to extend an invitation to join the Chamber in 2018. Chamber membership is not only an investment in your business, it also plays a role in the future of our community for today and future generations.
Join the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce for 2018!
FACC membership dues are a good value with base membership starting at $110 for businesses with 1 to 3 full time equivalent (FTE) employees; $175 for 4-12 FTE; $230 for 13-26 FTE; $285 for 27-99; and just $335 for businesses with 100 plus employees. Dues rates remain the same again 2018 thanks to a variety of chamber activities and events that help cover the chamber promotional activities.
Some of the benefits offered through membership in the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce include:
- Chamber office and staff available to assist you with businesses needs and development of partnerships with other businesses and resources
- Ability to accept Fennimore Bucks, accepted exclusively at chamber member businesses,
- Opportunity to take advantage of increased exposure and marketing of your business through Chamber sponsored advertising plans
- Listing in the Fennimore Chamber online Business Directory and City of Fennimore website
- Business listing in the monthly Chamber newsletter, opportunity to display your business card in the Chamber’s business card rack found just outside the office door.
- Opportunity to for you and your staff to participate in a chamber sponsored Business Seminar
- Involvement in the community through numerous networking opportunities and Chamber Sponsored Events
These are just a few of the benefits of being a member of the Fennimore Chamber of Commerce. It is up to each individual business to be as involved as much as they choose to be. Involvement on one or more standing committees is encouraged and serves as a great way to network with other successful businesses, however not required.
To learn more about Chamber membership please contact the Promotions Coordinator’s office 608-822-3599 or Chamber President Sheila Ruchti 608-943-6999.
Chamber officers and board members for 2018:
- President – Sheila Ruchti / Community First Bank
- V.P./President Elect – Ashley Walker / Peoples State Bank
- Secretary – Lori Barry / Investment Center of Community First Bank
- Treasurer – Heather Fifrick / Southwest Tech
- Past President / Liaison – Steve Lendosky
Board members include: Brad Bodenbender/American Bank; Joy Bussan/Carr Valley Cheese; Steve Lendosky/Brechler-Lendosky Group; Barb Scanlan/Sunset Fields; Denise Deaton-Tolzman/QueenB Radio and Candice Wilson/Casey’s General Store.
At the recent Chamber holiday party Steve Lendosky received a president’s plaque in appreciation for his years of leadership. I believe Steve is the only person who has served as chamber president for three separate terms including 2003, 2008 and 2017. Thanks goes out to Steve for stepping in to fill the unexpected vacant president’s spot. I do want to recognize three other individuals who served the chamber two separate terms, they include: John Briel serving in 1992 and 1993 during my early involvement with the chamber. Matt Johnson, former Times editor served as chamber president in 1996 and 1998 and Jon Miles owner of Century21 served in 2002 and again in 2011. Thanks goes out to John, Matt and Jon.
Any chamber member who is interested in playing a leadership role in the Chamber is encouraged to talk to any chamber officer, board member or the Promotions Coordinator by Sept 15 for their name to be placed on the ballot for elections held at the Annual Chamber meeting held in early October.
Fennimore Chamber & Southwest Tech Plans Wellness Fair for Feb. 6
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and Southwest Tech wellness committee is finalizing plans for their annual “Creating a Healthier You” wellness fair.
The event will be held on SWTC campus on Wednesday, Feb 6 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. So save the date and make plans with your friends, co-workers or family to attend.
The event is free and open to the public including Southwest Tech students and staff and community members throughout the region Southwest Tech serves.
The purpose of the event is to share information, sell products and demonstrate all aspects of wellness including physical, mental, financial, nutritional and safety. For additional information contact Holly Crubel (hcrubel@swtc.edu) 608-822-2363 or Amy Campbell (acampbell@swtc.edu) 608-822-2309
Taste of Fennimore, March 3
The 5th Annual Taste of Fennimore is planned for Saturday afternoon, March 3 and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Numerous regional vendors have signed on to provide sampling of their products and beverages. This year Taste of Fennimore will be held at The Cottonwood Supper Club, just north of town. The Taste committee has made plans to offer a shuttle service that day.
Back again by popular demand will be the expanded competition categories. Participants will have the opportunity to vote for People’s Choice for Eatery and regional favorites for beverage and regional favorites for food.
Tickets are just $15 in advance or $20 by chance at the door, tickets are limited so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance so you won’t be disappointed. Tickets are currently available at Fennimore banks, the chamber office, Carr Valley Cheese, Wood Law Office or from chamber board members or Taste committee members.
2018 FIEDC Officers & Board
It is the mission of the Fennimore Industrial and Economic Development Corp (FIEDC) to serve as the marketing arm for lots in the City’s business park, to work with the City of Fennimore and Chamber of Commerce to assist and retain businesses, and to assist in the recruitment of business and industry for the Fennimore area.
FIEDC officers:
- President – John Wells / WebWise Design & Marketing
- Vice President – Mandy Henkel / Southwest Tech
- Secretary/Treasurer – Linda Parrish
Board members: Pam Kreul/American Bank; Dennis Biddick/DPW City of Fennimore; Jeff Birchman/Rayovac; Ryan Rands/Midwest Builders; Jane Wonderling/Fennimore Schools; Brent Sheckler/Suppz; Linda Stephenson/Council representative and Bill Wood/Fennimore Design Center (past president). Others who attend meetings but have non-voting rights: Mayor Boebel; Dr. Jason Wood/Southwest Tech; Ron Brisbois/Grant County Economic Development Corp.
2017 was another successful year of progress for Fennimore. An acre lot was sold to Dr. Pete Hoffman, DDC, whose new building for Fennimore Smiles (dental office) is well underway. The City of Fennimore has been working on a new commercial project that will retain a business while offering a huge expansion thus creating several new jobs.
We continue to have a challenge ahead of us to recruit additional new businesses to fill several vacant storefronts. I’ve also been contacted by a few business owners who are starting to plan for retirement and are looking for buyers for their businesses. If you know of someone who might be interested, please let me know how to get in touch with them. We appreciate all of your help and input.
Is 2018 the Year You Want to Start or Expand Your Business?
Is starting a business of your own one of your top priorities for 2018? If so, there are resources available to help put your ideas and plans together along with financial projections. Please give me a call 608-822-3599 to set up a confidential appointment to get you started and connected to these free available resources.
Are You Interested in Serving Your Community?
Are you interested in serving in a leadership role for our community? If so, nomination papers for the April spring election must be filed no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 2. To register as a candidate for the upcoming spring election, stop by the Clerk’s Office and pick up the nomination papers. A candidate must have at least 20 signatures to qualify. The nomination papers/signatures must then be submitted by the close of the business day on Tuesday, January 2. The term of office is two years and would begin April 2018.
Information concerning aldermanic district boundaries may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office at 860 Lincoln Avenue, Fennimore, WI.
The first day to circulate nomination papers was December 1, 2017, and the final day for filing nomination papers is 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, in the office of the city clerk. Incumbents not seeking re-election must file a Notification of Non-candidacy (GAB-163) by December 26, 2017. Failure to notify will extend nomination paper deadline 72 hours for that office.
For additional information, please contact City Clerk, Margaret Sprague, 608-822-6119. Nominations papers are available at the City Clerk’s office during regular business hours which are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please note the City Clerk’s office will be closed Monday, January 1, 2018.
Snow Reports Available Online
The recent snow is a reminder that winter is coming. Winter in Wisconsin is more than Jack Frost nipping at your nose and catching snowflakes on your tongue. In Wisconsin, we snowboard, tube, skate, ski, snowmobile and snowshoe our way to fun!
Every Thursday during the season, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism will share the best spots for your favorite cold-weather sports. Use the Snow Conditions Report to search a specific activity, like snowmobiling and downhill or cross-country skiing. Travelers can also upload wintery photos and plan a weekend getaway in Wisconsin right from the report. They also list nearby events taking place. So when the snow arrives be sure to check it out http://www.travelwisconsin.com/snowreport/