By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A regional organization with intended goals of bolstering the local economy and touting the attributes of Jefferson County has announced plans of ramping up its efforts in 2015.
Genevieve Borich, director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium, discussed with the Whitewater Common Council the organization’s services and revised mission statement at a meeting Jan. 20.
“We have a really good story to tell here,” Borich said as she discussed how JCEDC plans to capitalize on the attributes. “We’re focusing on trying to brand this area. We want to put it on the map.”
With small town living, quality schools and close proximity to Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison, Borich said there are ripe opportunities to court businesses and residents to Jefferson County.
Throughout, Jefferson County has a growing residential base, Borich said, and the intent is to capitalize on the scenario by trying to attract businesses interested in tapping into the buying power that is available in the region.
“We want to cut to the chase …and go after the different companies that meet the needs of each of our communities,” Borich said. “We have a skill set here, and we want to be able to tap into it.”
Speaking specifically of Whitewater — a community, of course, that is largely in Walworth County — Borich emphasized JCEDC is as committed to the city as any other municipality within Jefferson County.
Whitewater is not alone. Three other municipalities straddle Jefferson County: the villages of Cambridge and Lac La Belle and the city of Watertown.
“Whitewater has some interesting dynamics going on,” Borich said. “There are challenges because of the transient population, but you also have a huge economic engine with the university.”
For more information on JCEDC, visit the organization’s website at www.jcedc.net.
