Innovation Hub Study Completed, FreshTech Director Hired
Sheboygan, Wis. – A study to understand the feasibility for a Sheboygan County innovation hub within the FreshTech Innovation District has been completed, leading to the hiring of an individual to focus specifically on the FreshTech initiative and its programming.
The results of the feasibility study, which was conducted by a Cincinnati-based firm named Econogy, have provided the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) and the FreshTech Task Force with valuable data, recommended focus areas, as well as strategic direction to take through programming. Since the completion of the study, the SCEDC and the FreshTech Task Force have prioritized the recommended focus areas and added a staff person to lead the development and execution of programming, and as well as community engagement for the initiative.
Nick O’Brien has been hired as the Director of Innovation & Engagement. O’Brien’s experience includes innovative programming development, talent attraction and retention strategies, and community engagement through his work in communities around Wisconsin comparable to Sheboygan County, including Marathon and Eau Claire counties.
“We are excited about this big step in the FreshTech process,” says Joe Sheehan, Executive Director of the SCEDC. “The Task Force has put in months of important work to get to this point, and now we have Nick on board to bring the results of that work into the community and take the momentum to the next level. ”
A primary focus of the programming is its connection to the people, organizations, businesses and other existing assets in Sheboygan County. O’Brien is eager to hear from anyone who is interested in being involved or who may have ideas and other opportunities to collaborate on the programming being developed. The first wave of programming will begin in early 2020.
##
For more information, please contact:
Nick O’Brien, Director of Innovation & Engagement
FreshTech Innovation District and Programming
www.FreshTechInnovation.com
An initiative of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation
Nick@FreshTechInnovation.com
(920) 452-2350 (call or text)
The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) is a countywide private/public partnership, leading economic development efforts to improve the economic wellbeing and long-term prosperity of the businesses, residents, and communities of Sheboygan County, through collaborative retention, expansion and attraction efforts for business and employment development. The SCEDC leverages a variety of tools available to encourage business growth and job creation. Key performance indicators tapped by SCEDC track and measure businesses assisted and resources leveraged. By applying many tools to assist businesses and communities and help them succeed, SCEDC achieves increased economic prosperity for Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.
