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Sawyer County LCO EDC outlines office move, HUBZone work, solar research and grant plans
Summary
Adam Lemori, executive director of the Sawyer County LCO Economic Development Corporation, told the county board the EDC will relocate its office to the Lumber Exchange, is meeting with NextEra about solar-site research, and is working to prepare local businesses for federal HUBZone contracting and state grant programs.
Adam Lemori, executive director of the Sawyer County LCO Economic Development Corporation, briefed the Sawyer County Board on a string of economic-development initiatives, including an office move, federal contracting preparation, renewable-energy inquiries, grant applications and upcoming outreach events.
Lemori said the EDC will move into a permanent office at the Lumber Exchange to increase visibility: "The EDC is gonna move into that location to have a permanent office," he said. He also said he had an upcoming meeting with NextEra to discuss researching Sawyer County for possible solar sites: "Basically, what they wanna do is research Sawyer County for solar purposes."
On federal contracting, Lemori said several Sawyer County businesses qualify for the federal Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program but firms must register in SAM.gov and complete certification to pursue federal contracts. "Getting them a SAM.gov number is the first step," he said, and he added he had reached out to the Wisconsin Procurement Institute for guidance on preparing businesses for certification.
Lemori described state and foundation grant opportunities. He said the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) offers an Ignite program that is competitive but does not require a matching cash contribution; the EDC intends to apply. He also described a two-year Thrive grant worth $25,000 that the EDC will use in year two to pay for a business plan, marketing and grant-writing support rather than the direct technical assistance used in year one: "Most of the money is gonna be set up for a business plan to be written instead of giving technical assistance," Lemori said.
Lemori said the EDC is organizing local outreach events including a scam and fraud workshop on Oct. 8 in partnership with the library and the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, and he announced a sponsorship celebration on Sept. 25 for which invitations will be sent.
He noted an initiative to form local "mastermind" groups for rural business owners and said the EDC has produced promotional videos highlighting Sawyer County businesses. Lemori said the EDC is also preparing businesses to pursue federal contracting opportunities and to respond to upcoming funding programs.
No formal action was taken on the items presented; the update was informational.
