Issues and solutions for parking on Main Street
More often than not, parking issues in downtown districts stem from one or more of the following: confusion about available parking; abuses and enforcement; and physical condition and design. Here are solutions to those issues. Read More
Automation fuels productivity and employee engagement at Basin Precision Machining
Erik Anderson has a bone to pick with Merriam-Webster, insofar as dictionary definitions contribute to a common misinterpretation that “automation” involves replacing humans with machines. The subtitle of his breakout session at the 2019 Wisconsin Manufacturing and Technology show in West Allis pointedly dispelled the fear-inducing suggestion that we’re all disposable: “The Robots Are Not Coming for Our Jobs.” Read More
Freshwater Collaborative prepares Wisconsin’s future workforce to address water challenges
Wisconsin has a wealth of educational resources for students who want to delve into solving the world’s water challenges, and new initiative aims to coordinate those efforts across the state’s public institutions of higher education, enabling both improved collaboration and increased specialization as each institution further develops its areas of expertise. Read More
Wisconsin’s water hub continues to strengthen global ties
The challenges facing the world’s water supply—growing populations, changing weather conditions, threats to water supply quality and safety—are global in nature, and the solutions will need to have a similarly global perspective. Recognizing this, Milwaukee’s water hub has forged global connections to take an active role in crafting these solutions—and is continuing to strengthen these ties with each passing year. Read More
In Water Council programs, competition and collaboration meet to advance innovation
Launching a startup or pursuing a research question in the lab can be lonely pursuit, involving long hours and late nights of solitary work—but innovation thrives through collaboration. To that end, The Water Council organizes a series of competitions that connect water sector startups and innovators with potential investors, with established companies that may be able to use the new technologies, and with one another. Read More
Places blog: Encourage shopping small
While “shop local” campaigns can become controversial, seeming to discourage tourists and/or exclude franchises and other locally operated businesses, shopping small is a strategy that is hard to oppose. Consider the following unique strategies to encourage and recognize customers that make the effort to shop small. Read More
Places blog: Mentors and business partners
Another strategy for ensuring the success of new businesses to your downtown district is to connect them with established mentors. Connecting businesses with mentors that can help them understand the local market, capitalize on or prepare for seasonal changes or major events, and most effectively market to key customer groups can substantially increase their chance of success. Read More
Places blog: Small business support and funding
One constant limitation for many small businesses is a shortage of capital for startup, inventory and expansion. Fortunately, there are many tools available today to allow local investors to fund businesses that they support. Read More
When to end an event that isn’t working
Many communities have traditional events they continue to hold because that is what they have always done—even if it no longer serves a specific purpose for the host organization nor provides a defined benefit for the community. Find key questions to consider when thinking about the future of community events. Read More
Tips and tricks on getting attendees to take surveys and give feedback
Surveys are a vital component in evaluating your events. Here are some tips and tricks for acquiring the best survey results. Read More
The importance of evaluating your event
Events and promotions are an important part of what make your downtown a destination. However, it is important that event hosts have a regular process for reviewing what went well and what could be improved. Read More
Building additions in historic commercial districts
With additions to the side, rear or top of buildings, it is very important that the new portion does not physically or visually damage the existing building. Any new addition should take design cues from the original building style. Read More