For the City Times
Submitted by Carol Davis, Incourage

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Area leaders met with several elected officials last week to discuss much-needed worker talent attraction and retention strategies in the south Wood County area

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Deputy Secretary Chris Hagerup and Assistant Deputy Secretary Dave Anderson, joined Senator Patrick Testin, Representative Scott Krug and Mayor Zach Vruwink to meet with Incourage representatives, local business leaders and workforce development partners.

During the visit, the group toured the Tribune Building to understand its role as a driver of innovation and talent attraction and retention in the community. Leaders heard from O’so Brewing Founder and Owner Marc Buttera, who serves as project advisor for the Tribune Building Project’s microbrewery.

“This project will be successful because people want to see it thrive.” Buttera also discussed plans for a brewer apprenticeship program there, which currently does not exist in Wisconsin, noting, “These are good paying jobs starting in the range of $12-20 per hour, that would fill a critical need in the craft brewing industry.”

Solarus CEO Doug Wenzlaff participated in the tour and discussion.

“We need workers at all levels,” he said. “The Tribune Building will help create a community where workers want to come and stay.”

To date, Solarus has contributed and leveraged more than $30,000 to support local workforce development efforts and the Tribune Building.

The Tribune will serve as a community accelerator – accelerating economic growth and opportunity, environmental sustainability, learning, creativity, and connections for community benefit. It will also provide technical assistance and training for entrepreneurs. The building’s plans include a cafe/brewpub, creative workshop, culinary kitchen, microbrewery, recreational rental, art studio and gallery, rooftop lounge, and more.

To date, over 2,000 residents have been engaged in the process through participation in public meetings, tours, Tribune presentations, and classroom and community activities.

For regular updates, visit www.tribunebuilding.org, and connect with Incourage through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  To be added to the monthly Tribune update, contact Incourage.