President's Message


May 20, 2024

The Amery Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) continues its work to build on Amery’s economic strengths and to address our future economic issues.  Although not a city department, the AEDC works side by side with the city as a resource for our local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Our top initiatives include:

  • Work to bring additional housing options to the Amery Community.
  • Work to attract affordable childcare options to Amery.
  • Work to attract and retain a sustainable workforce for our Amery businesses.
  • Work to attract hotel development to Amery.
  • Act as an in formation conduit between businesses and local state resources. This includes conducting seminars and training events for businesses.

Activity in support of the initiatives listed above include:

  • In the past year, met with and spoke to FOUR different housing developers.  At this time, there is reason to believe that TWO of these projects will move forward with new housing projects in Amery.
  • The AEDC participated in a Childcare Task Force.  Work continues on adding affordable childcare options and the AEDC will continue to advocate for this to help our employers and their workforce.
  • Either in partnership with the Polk County EDC, or on our own, the AEDC offered FIVE business or housing workshops this past year.  We will continue our work to bring value to our membership with these offerings.
  • The AEDC continues to work with the city on attracting a hotel to our community. 
  • In 2021 and 2022, the AEDC worked with 43 Amery area businesses on obtaining the $10,000 Main Street Bounce Back Grant.   14 of those were in this past year.   
  • In the past year, the AEDC acted as a conduit of information and resources to TEN new or existing businesses.  
  • Along with the City, the AEDC worked to interview and select a commercial realtor for our south business park.  

The items listed above are but a few of the activities the AEDC gets involved in throughout the year.

The items listed above are but a few of the activities the AEDC gets involved in throughout the year.  The AEDC continues to collaborate with the Polk County EDC, Momentum West, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, UW-Extension, West Central Regional Planning Commission and the CESA 11 Steering Committee.

The AEDC is an independent organization and the work it does can only be accomplished through the financial support of its membership.  If you are one of our 58 members for the July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 AEDC business year, we thank you for your support which allows us to execute our mission “Helping Business Do Business”.  For those of you who have not been an AEDC member, we hope you will consider supporting us as we move forward in our efforts to build on the great things happening in Amery.  We ask you to please support our efforts for the July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 membership year.   The enclosed membership form contains information on levels of funding.  We welcome your support of our efforts in the economic development of the Amery Community.

Sincerely,

Tom Bensen
President 
Amery Economic Development Corporation