Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Three Lakes, Florence and Forest County.
District Dialogue
May 8, 2015
Happy Mother's Day
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Fab Lab to Open in Florence
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Second K-12 Fab Lab in Wisconsin to Open in Florence this Fall
On Monday, April 27, 2015 the Board of Education for the Florence County
School District voted to establish a MIT-chartered Fab Lab in the
Florence school system, only the second K-12 Lab in the State. The goal
is for the Lab to be operational and ready for students in September for
the beginning of the new school year.
A team lead by District Superintendent Ben Niehaus and including Wendy
Gehlhoff Director of Florence County Economic Development and Don
Sidlowski, the Founder of the Northwoods Broadband & Economic
Development Coalition (NWB/EDC) submitted an application on February 2nd
for a Fast Forward Grant administered by the Department of Workforce
Development’s (DWD) Office of Skills Development (OSD) for the program
known as “High School Pupil Workforce Training Programs”. On March 19th,
the OSD notified the District it had been awarded $45,372 to cover a
portion of the startup costs including creating curriculum and
programming for a Fab Lab that will provide certificates for high demand
mid-level manufacturing jobs.
Sidlowski first met with officials of the Florence County School
District in the summer of 2014 to introduce them to the Fab Lab concept.
Sidlowski is in the middle of a three-year initiative to install one Fab
Lab in each of Wisconsin’s eight Grow North counties (Florence, Forest,
Langlade, Lincoln, Marinette, Oconto, Oneida and Vilas). The first K-12
Fab Lab in the State of Wisconsin opened in September 2014 in the Three
Lakes School District (Oneida). “The opportunity here is to add an
additional leg to the economic stool by creating a new technology-based
enterprise zone right here in the Northwoods. Startup companies can use
the labs to get off the ground, and then open their business in an
incubator, an existing rental space or even from home. People want to
come here for the quality of life, but where are the jobs? Well, this is
the paradigm shift of our age. Technology is the great equalizer. It
could literally transform the economy”, said Sidlowski.
Fab Lab, short for Fabrication Laboratory, is an initiative started by
the MIT Center for Bits & Atoms in 2001. Growing slowly for the first
decade, the number of Labs has increased at a faster pace in the past
four years as 3D printers, laser engravers and other CNC equipment has
become more affordable. In order to establish a Fab Lab, there are two
prerequisites: the school must teach a STEAM
(science/technology/engineering/art/math) curriculum and the local area
must have the best possible broadband high speed internet. “Everything
in the Fab Lab revolves around the STEAM methodology starting as early
as 4K with programs such as EIE or Engineering is Elementary” said
Sidlowski. By charter, everything in the Lab is open source and open to
the public. Two to three days every week, the community is given access
to the tools and technology in the lab to simply learn or to actually
prototype and build objects.
There are still only about 100 Fab Labs in all of North America.
Wisconsin is currently in second place in the nation with seven Labs.
The only state with more (10) is Massachusetts – the home of MIT.
According to Niehaus, starting students early is critical. “You can’t
wait until students are in the 9th grade. That’s too late. We’ll start
young with simple concepts such as EIE and use the lab for art projects,
then in middle school, that involvement increases, so by the time they
start high school they’re prepared to take full advantage of what the
Fab Lab has to offer”.
“The implications are big for the county and the surrounding region”,
said Gehlhoff. “In the Fab Lab, we’re training the workers of tomorrow,
giving them the high tech skills they need to secure jobs right here in
Florence and our neighboring Counties”, she said. A 2009
Skills-2-Compete Wisconsin report on manufacturing in the state shows
over the next decade that 54% of all jobs – the largest percent of any
category – will require middle-skills, which is defined as more than a
high school diploma but less than a four year college degree. “These are
high-tech, family sustaining jobs we’re talking about with these
employers”, says Gehlhoff. “Fab Lab is the Tech Ed of the 21st century
only these students aren’t learning how to use a drill press; they’re
operating 3D printers with Solid Works software and cutting precision
parts with laser engravers. There are companies in our area that will
hire these students right out of high school and they’ll be operating
computer-controlled machinery from a touch screen panel. Parents think
‘manufacturing job’ still means a dirty, heavy labor job. We must change
that perception. These are jobs that parents would want their children
to have and many of our employers are struggling to find qualified
workers to replace retirees and to expand their business” she said.
The loss of young people seeking jobs to the urban areas in Wisconsin
has been a challenge for the Northwoods for a long time. According to
Gene Welhoefer, Guidance Counselor for the Three Lakes School District
in Oneida County, most high school graduates want to remain in the area
but many of them don’t see an alternative. “We have students who
graduate every year that aren’t ideally suited to earning a four year
degree but feel that unless they do they won’t have a chance at getting
a job. They come back after only a year, having dropped out, and now are
thousands of dollars in debt. Giving them the skills that the Fab Lab
offers will make them employable when they leave our school and allow
them to remain in the area. Those who want to take the next level of the
technical training will be able to do that in the local technical
college system, and in just two years, not four, saving them thousands
of dollars in education expense”.
The next step according to Niehaus is for the school district to develop
the curriculum in collaboration with NWTC and the five local
manufacturers Gehlhoff contacted to form an industry advisory council.
“We had a meeting in April with the employers where they stressed that
not only should the students learn basic industrial safety, maintenance
awareness, production processes and Solid Works skills but there must be
emphasis on the soft, employability skills such as showing up for work
on time, communicating effectively, working in a team environment and
problem solving” said Niehaus. Gehlhoff added there is another benefit
to having a Fab Lab that is open to the public after school hours. She
says local entrepreneurs and area inventors will use the Lab to
prototype ideas and designs for a fraction of the normal cost. “It has
potential to reinvent manufacturing as we know it”, says Gehlhoff. “We
could see an explosion of cottage industry manufacturing here in
Florence County in the years ahead and that, too, will create new jobs”.
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Florence County District Attorney
tasks that a full-time district attorney position entails. This measure
will change it to a full-time position beginning January 2, 2017. Considering that Florence County had a part-time District Attorney, the state paid private attorneys to help with the workload when the county was overburden with cases. By making the position full-time, the state would no longer need to hire a special prosecutor to assist the county. I was proud to submit a motion to assist the Florence County District Attorney.
My office was contacted last year by the current District Attorney in
Florence County to help expand the position to full-time. Senator
Tiffany and I worked together on a budget motion to promote public
safety in Florence County.
The motion received unanimous, bipartisan support on Tuesday, May 5. The
budget deliberations will continue throughout May and June. Final
passage will occur before the start of the next fiscal year, July 1,
2015.
State Affairs and Government Operations Committee Update
The last two weeks have proven busy in the Assembly State Affairs and Government Operations Committee. A total of four bills were discussed, debated, and passed through the committee. All four bills were largely bipartisan and approved by the State Affairs and Government Operations Committee over the previous weeks. The full Assembly is scheduled for a legislative session on Wednesday, May 13.
Assembly Bill 75: Relating to: eligibility for a license to carry a concealed weapon for a member of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Wisconsin.
Assembly Bill 77: Relating to: certification cards to carry concealed weapons for residents of Wisconsin who formerly were employed as law enforcement officers in another state and successor law enforcement agencies to assume responsibility of issuing certification cards to carry concealed weapons to former officers. (FE)
Assembly Bill 120: Relating to: creating a Corrections System Formulary Board in the Department of Corrections, therapeutic alternate drug selections in the state correctional system, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Assembly Bill 165: Relating to: town zoning ordinances affecting shorelands.
Building Commission Update
On April 29,
the Wisconsin State Building Commission held its monthly meeting to
discuss administrative and UW-System building projects. The Higher
Education Subcommittee, which I chair, held discussions on two projects
for the UW-System.
The main project that was discussed is a chemistry-biology building at
the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Points. The project will increase
research labs, offices, classrooms, teaching labs, and stock rooms. The
chancellor of UW-Steven's Point testified in favor of the project and
claimed that this project was critical to the science program. In
addition, the planning committee at Steven's Point made a number of
concessions to remain fiscally responsible to stay within its budget.
The University of Stevens Point graduates the second most science majors
in the state behind UW-Madison. I was supportive of the measure to
construct a new chemistry-biology building. The proposal passed the
full building commission with a unanimous vote.
Additionally, the building commission supported a number of maintenance
projects for UW campuses. Various projects include repairs and
renovations to two UW System campuses. Discussion centered on the Camp
Randall storm drain repairs, roof replacements at UW-Madison, and an
energy conservation project at UW-Oshkosh. A representative from
UW-Madison explained that the repairs to both Camp Randall and the
dining halls are necessary due to sanitary issues.
The Building Commission will meet again in June.
Members of the Wisconsin State Building Commission
Fishing Opener and DNR Report
For the fist time in two years, the fishing opener was lacking....ice that is! A number of anglers and enthusiasts ventured into the open water to toss their first cast. It was a perfect weekend for fishing last weekend, summer is on its way!
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DNR Outdoor Report
Some very nice weather brought out lots of anglers for the opening of Wisconsin's inland fishing season. In the north, walleye anglers found action to be generally good, with some decent catches of walleye in 12 to 18-inch size reported. Northern pike action was only fair, but some s surprisingly good bass action was reported, with smallmouth being a bit more active than largemouth. Panfish action was just starting to pick up, as crappie have started to move up into the shallow bays in pretty good numbers, and bluegill have also been moving up to the shallows in greater numbers.
Anglers continue to hook into nice trout on the Bois Brule with the warm
weather bringing on insects hatches. Trout anglers also did well on some
of the managed trout lakes and spring ponds, with most success for brook
trout in the 8 to 10-inch size.
Fishing pressure was also heavy on Green Bay and Lake Michigan, where
smallmouth bass fishing was good along Door County. Walleye anglers were
also reporting some success in deeper water in the lower end of the bay.
Lake Michigan trollers were fishing primarily nearshore areas and have
been catching a mix of browns and lake trout. Some trollers have begun
targeting coho, with boats out early in the morning catching decent
numbers. Anglers on the piers have reported catching browns, lake trout,
and coho salmon on spoons. Steelhead fishing on tributaries has been
tapering off.
Much needed rain fell this week, although it was not widespread across
the state. Most of northern Wisconsin remains in
elevated
fire danger. In the past week, 88 wildfires burned 252 acres in DNR
protection areas, destroying 19 buildings. Another 44 were threatened
but saved with firefighter assistance. Burning permits are frequently
suspended this time of year due to high fire danger. Check the day's
burning restrictions every day you intend to burn
online or by calling 1-888-WIS-BURN.
Spring turkey hunters have been doing well, with tom turkeys in the
north still fairly active but becoming less active in the southern part
of the state, with many hens now sitting on nests. Incubation takes
about 28 days.
Other young animals, such as raccoons, squirrels, fox, coyote, and
rabbits are also in their nests and dens. There have been reports of
mallard ducks and Canada geese with broods and red crossbill and pine
siskin have fledged young. If you see any young wildlife, please leave
them alone and remember that young animals and birds are rarely
abandoned but often left alone for periods by their parents. If you
think they are in danger, contact the DNR Customer Service Hotline at
1-888-WDNRINFo.
Blackflies have hatched and ticks are also out in decent numbers. Be
sure to check for embedded ticks after being afield. More mosquitos and
lake flies are out now, but also some dragonflies.
Pasque flower is blooming in open prairies. Trilliums, trout lilies are
in bloom, as well as wood and false rue anemones, dutchman's-breeches,
marsh marigold, jack-in-the-pulpit, wood violet, and hepaticas. Cherry
and plums are blooming. Wild asparagus is now up. The invasive garlic
mustard is up and getting close to the bolting stage--keep an eye out
for new infestations when you are walking in the woods.
The warm weather and rain also caused a dramatic flush in the color
green...and reports of more little gray morels emerging.
Wildfire Report
Much needed rain fell this week, although it was not widespread across
the state. Most of northern Wisconsin remains in elevated fire danger.
In the past week, 88 wildfires burned 252 acres in DNR protection areas
(approximately half the state). Nineteen buildings were destroyed and 44
others were threatened but saved with firefighter assistance (12
buildings were destroyed in a single Juneau County fire). The main
causes of wildfires for the week were debris burning (22), equipment
(19), and railroad (9). The largest fire of the week burned 133 acres in
Menominee County, determined to be arson. A 23-acre Waushara County fire
required aerial water drops and ground resources including hand crews;
investigation continues. Railroad was determined to be the cause of a
15.5-acre Douglas County fire that burned Tuesday during Extreme fire
conditions; DNR ground resources were assisted by air attack and fire
departments to contain the fire. The majority of the other fires were
kept to less than five acres in size.
As vegetation greens up, people often become complacent and conduct
their burning projects during the day instead of following the time
restrictions on burning permits. In DNR protection areas, if you do
choose to conduct outdoor burning, remember that a free annual burning
permit is required to burn small piles of debris and to burn in a burn
barrel. Burning permits are frequently suspended this time of year due
to high fire danger. You must check the day's burning restrictions every
day you intend to burn by calling 1-888-WIS-BURN (947-2876) or by
checking online at dnr.wi.gov (search 'fire danger'). Larger piles and
daytime burning requires a special permit from a DNR Ranger. Piling your
debris in a campfire pit does not make it okay to burn during the day.
If your property is outside a DNR protection area, check with local
officials for burning restrictions.
As the vegetation dries out during the days we don't receive rain,
expect fire danger to increase, particularly in areas where standing
dead grass and other dry vegetation remains.
Firewise Tip:
Homeowners are encouraged to make weekly checks around your home or
cabin for windblown leaves and needles on your roof, around your
foundation, and under decks and elevated porches; keep these areas
clean. The debris that collects in these places could be easily ignited
by flying embers produced during a wildfire.
- Jolene Ackerman, wildland coordinator, Dane
State Natural Area Workday Update
Enjoy spring and help
girdle aspen at Bluff Creek SNA [PDF]. Come see what's blooming and
help volunteers during our monthly Southern Kettle Moraine SNA workdays
on the second Saturday. Enjoy a short hike through the wet prairie, then
use hand tools to girdle aspen, learn something, meet knowledgeable
people, and enjoy the beauty of this site in the process. Aspen is
native, but establishes with lack of fire and spreads aggressively on
open sites. This work will remove it, enlarging the rare wet prairie. No
skills needed you will be trained onsite. .- Jared Urban, conservation
biologist, Dane
Statewide Birding Report
In the north, after an initial trickle earlier in the week the flood
gates opened last night and this morning we have Baltimore orioles,
ruby-throated hummingbirds, rose-breasted grosbeaks, gray catbirds,
house wrens, and the first good wave of various warblers here in the far
north. Most notable breeding activity has been fledged young of two
irruptive species - red crossbill and pine siskin. The latter are
especially numerous and folks should be keeping an eye out for nests and
fledglings. Please enter to the
Wisconsin Breeding Bird
Atlas project (exit DNR). - Ryan Brady, Bureau of Wildlife
Management research scientist, Ashland
Capitol Connections Legislative Day
On Thursday, April 30, UW-Extension members from the 34th Assembly District, including Forest and Oneida counties visited Madison for their annual Capitol Connections legislative day. After meeting with members from Forest and Oneida counties, a group from Florence county also visited my office. The main focus of the meetings was to discuss educational programs in the greater Northwoods. I want to thank everyone who made the trip to Madison to visit the state Capitol and meet in my office.
Rep. Swearingen with members from UW-Extension
Wisconsin Tourism on the Rise
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2015
Contact: Laurel Patrick, (608) 267-7303 OR
Lisa Marshall, Department of Tourism, (608) 267-3773
Governor Scott Walker Announces $1 Billion Increase in
Wisconsin Tourism Activity in 2014
Tourism economy up 5.5 percent; Survey shows tourism advertising and
travel generates positive perceptions of state
Madison – Governor Scott walker joins Tourism Secretary
Stephanie Klett today in announcing Wisconsin’s tourism economy topped
$18.5 billion in 2014, a $1 billion boost from $17.5 billion in 2013.
The announcement comes as they kick off this year’s National Travel and
Tourism Week, May 2-10 during stops in Milwaukee, Green Bay, La Crosse
and Hayward. The 5.5 percent increase was spurred by a rise in both
visits and spending per trip. The tourism industry continues to show
stable, long-term growth and according to just released economic impact
figures, creates a positive image of the state.
“The travel and hospitality industry continues to be an important and
strong performing sector for Wisconsin’s economy,” said Governor
Walker. “Investing in tourism promotion and marketing at the national,
state, and local level is not only an effective way to attract visitors
and grow the economy, it also enhances the image of the state as a place
to live and do business.”
Key Results
The total four year growth of tourism activity is $3.7 billion, up from
$14.8 billion in 2010, a 25 percent increase according to Tourism
Economics, the research firm for the Department of Tourism. Visitor
growth in 2014 topped 102 million, an increase of 7 million visits since
2010. Other positive industry indicators included a 5.3 percent
increase in per trip spending. This was led by recreation and
entertainment, with a 7.8 percent increase, followed by lodging (7.2
percent), and food and beverage (6.4 percent). The lodging sector had a
robust year with room demand growing 3.5 percent and average room rates
increasing 3.7 percent. This was the strongest year for Wisconsin
lodging properties since 2011.
Tourism supports 187,643 jobs, adding over 6,200 jobs to Wisconsin’s
total employment since 2011. Visitors generated $1.4 billion in state
and local revenue, saving Wisconsin taxpayers $620 per household. This
is the first time in four years that all 72 counties posted a positive
increase in visitor spending. Individual county information figures are
also available.
“We are pleased to report that the overall strength and growth of
tourism in Wisconsin continues to have positive impact on the economy,”
said Secretary Klett. “What’s more is research shows that tourism
advertising goes beyond just promoting vacations, it also boosts the
state’s overall image. Our marketing campaigns and the vacations that
result influence how people think about Wisconsin as a great place to
live, find a job, open a business, buy a home, or go to college.”
Tourism Influences Perceptions of Wisconsin
Longwoods International conducted surveys to measure how tourism
advertising and visitation affect consumers’ perception of the state.
Travelers who have visited Wisconsin in the past two years rate the
state much higher in attributes such as a good place to live, start a
business, attend college, or purchase a retirement home than those who
have not visited the state. This demonstrates the impact tourism has on
the state’s image from an economic development perspective.
The Power of Tourism Advertising
According to Longwoods International, for every $1 the Department spent
on its 2014 summer and fall advertising campaigns, $6 was returned to
state and local governments in incremental tax revenue.
The Department of Tourism launched a TV ad campaign in March featuring
UW Madison basketball coach Bo Ryan. The spot aired during the Big Ten
and NCAA Championships and has been viewed online more than 526,000
times, a record for any ad in the Department’s history. In addition,
last year’s public relations efforts generated a record $114 million in
earned media and 5 million users visited TravelWisconsin.com, an
increase of 146 percent.
The full summer campaign, which includes TV and cinema, print ads,
traditional and online radio spots, and digital executions, will launch
on May 4 in Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and the Twin Cities.
Tourism Economics is an Oxford Economics company providing analyses of
the tourism sector. Longwoods International is a globally recognized
leader in travel research, with over 30 years of experience with a
hospitality client list, including Michigan, Ohio, Philadelphia, and
Canada.
The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism is to market the
state as the Midwest’s premier travel destination for fun by executing
industry-leading marketing programs and establishing strategic
partnerships. The Department plays a significant role in generating
greater economic impact and jobs for Wisconsin. The portal for traveler
information can be found at
www.travelwisconsin.com.
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On Friday, the Sugar Camp and Three Lakes Elementary Schools visited the state Capitol for a tour. It is always exciting to have children from the Northwoods travel to Madison to view the workings of state government. Please visit again next year!
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If school groups plan to visit the state Capitol this Spring, please feel free to contact my office at (608) 266-7141 and my staff will help arrange a tour and photo opportunity.
Wisconsin Public Service Foundation Grants
The Wisconsin Public Service Foundation is again offering area fire departments and emergency responders up to a $2,000 grant for needed equipment and training. The Foundation is encouraging all emergency responder agencies to apply for the "Safety-It's Worth the Energy" grant between May 1 and June 30, 2015. To qualify, first response or public safety agencies must provide emergency response services in the WPS natural gas and/or electric service area. Winners will be announced by September 1, 2015. "What better way than to help out those who put their lives on the line in the most dangerous of emergency conditions. We are fortunate to have such dedicated first responders in the communities we serve," said Karmen Lemke, Director of the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation. "We want to help them in any way we can." Grants may be used to purchase equipment and professional development, but should be part of a well-planned and integrated public safety initiative. Projects must be special, one-time, safety- related efforts. To learn more about the guidelines and to apply for the "Safety-It's Worth the Energy" grant, visit the website.
About the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation:
The Wisconsin Public Service Foundation is a private, charitable
foundation funded by company shareholders and has no impact on electric
and natural gas rates charged to customers. The Foundation is now in its
51st year of helping communities and organizations accomplish their
goals of improving everyone's quality of life. Contributions are made in
the following areas: Arts and Culture, Community and Neighborhood
Development, Education, Human Services and Health, and Environment.
http://www.integrysgroup.com/news/view_article.aspx?reckey=02673
On Wednesday, May 6, Nigel Hayes and Josh Gasser were honored in the Wisconsin State Capitol for the UW-Madison Badger Basketball team's tournament run. It was an honor to meet with these distinguished players who were integral in the Badger's deep run during March Madness. On Wisconsin, Go Bucky!
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
High School Art Show: Three Lakes, May 8-15
11th Annual Northwoods Birding Festival: Manitowish Waters, May 9
Journeys Marathon: Eagle River, May 9
Movie Mondays: Land O’ Lakes, May 11 & 18
Retirement Planning Course: Rhinelander, May 12
Fish & Game Club: Land O’ Lakes, May 12
Trig's Riverwalk Centre Blood Drives: Rhinelander, May 13
Free Guided Nature Hikes: Manitowish Waters, May 14
Walleye Tournament: Presque Isle, May 15-17
Lakeland Performing Arts Presents "The Stepcrew" Exhilarating Dance: Minocqua, May 15
Northern Exposure Golf Scramble: Phelps, May 16
White Deer Triathlon: Boulder Junction, May 16
WinMan Trail Clean Up Day: Winchester, May 16
Florence Market Days: Florence, May 19
Rhinelander Young Professionals: Rhinelander, May 19
Acoustic Bat Monitor Training: Manitowish Waters, May 19
Community Foundation Treasure Bazaar: Boulder Junction, May 20-23
Business After Five: Rhinelander, May 20
Spring Rummage & Bake Sale: Woodruff, May 20
Oneida County ATV Trails Open: Oneida County, May 22
Land O'Lakes Summer Launch: Land O’ Lakes, May 23
Please contact me at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates
Office of Representative Rob Swearingen
Room 123 West
PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708
Office: 608-266-7141
Toll Free: 888-534-0034