SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Hoping to get past the stigma of living in a state that is known for its cold and rural lifestyle, the Sheboygan County Chamber and the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation announced a new cooperative initiative Tuesday called "Someplace Better" to get people to take jobs and move into Sheboygan County.
The catalyst for the initiative is with the growth of the area's economy. Dane Checolinski with the EDC highlighted that the county has had its GDP grow at a rate more than three times the state average in recent years, ranking in the top-20 percent in the nation. Also, the growth in jobs in Sheboygan County has been 7.3-percent from August of 2011 to August of 2015. "Sheboygan County has averaged adding a thousand jobs every year, year after year, since the recession. Our job growth has been so rapid, that we've even outpaced Dane County, often considered the jewel of the Wisconsin economy."
Checolinski went on to say that with the growth comes needs. "Sheboygan County's job market is now under water. Sheboygan County has more jobs than people to fill them."
To highlight this, representatives from four of the largest employers in Sheboygan County - Kohler, Aurora Health Care, Bemis, and Sargento - shared their thoughts on the current job market. Each said they currently have dozens of job openings, plus they plan to increase their workforce with new jobs, given their own growth. In addition, the companies say there will be a need for new people to be hired as current employees retire and leave the workforce.
With this comes the primary challenge - how to get people to choose not only a job in Sheboygan County but wanting to live there as well. That is the intent of the "Someplace Better" initiative. Checolinski says it will highlight the amenities the area can offer. “We are hoping to use the lifestyle that this area can afford individuals as the lead in the sale.”
The "Someplace Better" initiative will be an aggressive campaign by both the EDC and the Chamber. The EDC will be responsible for going outside the county to attend job fairs and other events to promote Sheboygan County for its jobs and lifestyle.
As for the Chamber, Betsy Allis says they have helped by putting together a new relocation guide for businesses to use when trying to hire someone. “So that when they talk to a candidate, they can call up things that they may not participate in, but that may fit the needs of that candidate.”
The initiative also includes a new website, someplacebetter.org. The website provides information on job openings in Sheboygan County, a rundown of communities and what they offer, recreational opportunities, and housing options.