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Portage County reviews joining Business Council’s bid for WEDC 'Make My Move' talent-recruitment grant
Summary
County staff briefed the Finance Committee on a potential partnership with the Portage County Business Council, which applied to WEDC for a Make My Move grant to recruit out-of-state households. The council would operate the program; the county may provide matching funds if awarded.
Portage County staff briefed the Finance Committee on a possible partnership with the Portage County Business Council to support a WEDC Make My Move talent-recruitment grant that would target out-of-state households.
The business council has applied to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for a program designed to attract relocating households. Mike Woody of the Portage County Business Council told the committee, “The program length is 24 months. The household target is 20 new households moving to the area. The average household income is 55,000.” Staff said the council would be the applicant and operator; the county’s involvement would be limited to possible match funding and in-kind support.
Finance Director Jenny told members the county would not be asked to vote that evening and described the possible match level: “I think the match was a maximum of $34,000 for that 2 year period,” she said. Staff emphasized that the match could be accomplished partly with staff time or in-kind contributions and that the county’s requested cash share would likely be well under that maximum if requested.
Committee members asked questions about targeting and administration. Mike Woody said the program focuses on out-of-state households and includes staggered incentives tied to retention: an initial incentive at 90 days and a later incentive at 13 months. He said the program would verify employment and income for participating households so results are trackable.
Supervisor Veracity expressed support and offered the county’s help: “If you need any letters of support or anything like that, please reach out to my office,” she said.
No formal action was taken; staff asked the committee for initial feedback and to gauge interest in participating if the business council’s application is successful. The business council has applied; if WEDC awards the grant, staff said they will return to the committee with specific requests for county match or support.
