New economic development group looks to improve Elkhorn
By Kellen Olshefski
Editor
Rising from the ashes of a city economic development group, a new group – the Elkhorn Economic Development Alliance – is looking to make some big improvements for the future of Elkhorn.
The previous economic development alliance, run through the city government, was officially dissolved by the City Council earlier this year to remove government from the group’s business, according to Mayor Brian Olson, who is serving on the committee.
Barry Butters – director of education and training at Precision Plus and the group’s secretary – said the group aims to help in attracting business, whether it’s restaurants, retail or industry, to the area and help current businesses better themselves.
“We want private sector dealing with private sector,” Olson said. “We were looking towards more of the private sector and other folks in other industries to help us grow the community.”
An official LLC as of last Thursday, Butters said the group is looking to promote Elkhorn, relying less on the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance and “taking the bull by the horns” when interested companies call about Elkhorn specifically. Additionally, Butters said they’re looking at downtown revitalization.
“It’s a good group, I think we have some of the movers, the shakers,” he said.
The group’s mission statement reads:
“The Elkhorn Economic Development Alliance (EEDA) is committed to improving the business climate for Elkhorn by working with public and private partners to advance efforts that develop relationships which willincrease investment in our community.”
Tom Myrin, an alderman and manager of U.S. Bank in Elkhorn, said the City of Elkhorn needs more businesses not only to better the community, but to help absorb some of the tax base.
“It really shouldn’t be up to all of the citizens to shoulder that and the city needs some help in doing that and I think that’s what we’re going to do,” he said.
As part of it’s efforts, the group is taking on a full-market analysis, according to Olson, of business needs for the community, something that will tell the committee not only what types of businesses Elkhorn needs, but also what specific businesses the committee should approach, fitting specific businesses to the needs of the community. Butters said the study also gives the committee the connections it needs to get in touch with the proper people in those types of businesses and organizations.
Myrin said additionally the group will be working to support new things in the spring, including signage for the pool and sunset park ball diamonds, as well as other events.
“We’re poised to make a big difference here,” he said. “We’re not going to pass on any great business opportunities that will make the community better.”
“It’s nice to have a group that’s vested, interested in bettering our community,” Chris Clapper, Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce executive director said.
Myrin said separating from the city will help the group to get things done quickly, rather than having to turn to government for approval.
“When businesses are interested in coming to the city, we’ll be able to get them answers immediately,” he said.
With a dedicated phone line and numerous people working with the committee from throughout the City – including Utilities Director John Murphy and Clapper from the chamber – Myrin said the group can get information to interested parties in hours rather than days.
“When it comes to somebody looking for things, it’s imperative we react and be responsive,” he said, noting after a few days they might gain interest from other plays.
“It’s a competitive world,” he said. “That’s going to be the difference between this group and not having a group. It’s response times, getting information in a timely manner and then being able to follow-up and nurture that relationship to then someday become a business here in Elkhorn.”
Starting the alliance
After starting economic development on the city side about a year and a half ago as an alderman, Olson said he found out Tom Myrin was running a sort of “grass-roots” effort.
“I’m like, I need this guy on my economic team,” Olson said.
Myrin said he was approached by Olson, former Mayor Howie Reynolds and City Administrator Sam Tapson to try and form an economic development committee.
“It was kind of neat that they recognized that because I’d been trying to develop a business networking group here in town for a year prior to that,” he said.
With a half-dozen people, they began working on Chapter 6 of the City’s comprehensive plan, gaining a background on what’s expected of an economic development group.
With numerous people involved who have lived in the City for a long time and had seen moments that weren’t necessarily Elkhorn’s finest, losing business to sister cities in the county, Myrin said the group is starting to change minds.
“We’re in a place that the old economic development group that was here in the early 2000s, they weren’t really in the same place we’re at,” he said. “I think we’re going to accomplish some really great things.”
“It’s long overdue that we focus back on business in Elkhorn with a motivated group of dedicated citizens to lead and take on the challenge to not only grow retail but just business in general here in town,” Olson said.
The EEDA’s board is led by officers President James B. Duquette, an attorney with Seymour, Kremer, Koch, Lochowicz and Duquette LLP, Vice President Chris Clapper, executive director of the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer Jason Tadlock, Elkhorn Area School District Administrator, and Butters.
