FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Barb Fleisner (920) 496-2113

Brown County, Wis. (June 11, 2008) – The Green Bay Area Economic Development Municipal Issues committee – with representation for all of Brown County - is pleased to announce that its leaders have officially endorsed an economic development cooperative agreement, the first in the state of Wisconsin.

More specifically, this economic development resolution was adopted by the communities of the villages of Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Denmark, Howard, Hobart, Pulaski, Suamico and Wrightstown; cities of De Pere and Green Bay; towns of Lawrence, Ledgeview, and Scott; and the county as a whole. It identifies that municipalities will not initiate solicitation of businesses from another Brown County community unless the purpose of such solicitation is to encourage businesses to add additional locations in Brown County or the business has announced that it will be leaving the county.

In addition, when municipalities receive inquiries from a business they are evaluating for the relocation of their business, the municipality where the business currently resides will be notified, if authorized by the company. Furthermore, municipalities that are not longer under consideration in a multi-site competition for a business will terminate continued solicitation if the remaining preferred sites are within Brown County and cooperatively promote the selection of the new location.

The committee behind this first-for-Wisconsin agreement is steered by Advance, the economic development arm of the Chamber. It was created to develop and promote cooperative intergovernmental strategies, maintain regional economic development initiatives and improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of municipal services throughout Brown County.

"Because of today’s global environment, and it becoming more competitive to attract and retain companies, the leaders in Brown County are to be commended for pulling together to grow the region," said Barb Fleisner, vice president of economic development, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. County Executive Tom Hinz added, "Too often local turf protection stands in the way of progress, but not so with this new agreement, which sends a signal to businesses looking to expand or relocate that Brown County is working together for the good of the entire community." Committee Chair and Administrator for the City of De Pere Larry Delo stated, "All of the municipalities involved in creating and adopting this resolution are indicating their commitment to an unprecedented level of cooperation. We recognize that our collective potential far exceeds our individual capabilities."

Advance will continue to promote all municipalities and increase efforts in the attraction of new developments to the county and will coordinate municipal involvement in the Greater Green Bay Image campaign.

Brown County has 16 business and industrial parks along with many commercial and industrial sections that are ready to accommodate all types of business ventures. Through 2007, new commercial and industrial contraction increased by more than $167 million, creating more than 337 new jobs.

For more information on Advance and its mission to improve and diversify the local economy through business retention, recruitment, and entrepreneurial development, contact Barb Fleisner at (920) 496-2113.

Established in 1882, the mission of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic and community development. Chamber programs include Advance, the economic development arm of the Chamber. Advance is a partner in the Business Assistance Center, a partnership of organizations providing assistance and resources for growing businesses in the New North. Other partners include: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Center for Entrepreneurship, SCORE, Urban Hope Entrepreneur Center, UWGB Small Business Development Center, Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation, Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network, and Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership. For more information about Advance, contact Barb Fleisner, 496-2113, bfleisner@titletown.org.  For more information about the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and its programs, call 437-8704 or visit www.titletown.org