New Manufacturing Alliance Website Strengthens Regional Strategy for Western Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2025

Centralized Platform Supports Workforce, Employers, and Economic Development Organizations

EAU CLAIRE, WI -  The Manufacturing Alliance of Western Wisconsin is proud to announce its new website, https://www.manufacturingalliancewesternwi.com/, created by Golden Shovel Agency to support and elevate manufacturing-focused economic development efforts across the region’s 10 counties.

The platform marks a significant step forward in advancing the Manufacturing Alliance’s regional strategy. It serves not as a competing initiative but as a shared resource intentionally designed to complement and amplify the work already underway by local economic development organizations (EDOs) and county-level partners.

“Local EDOs told us they wanted an employer-forward tool, not another marketing campaign,” said Shirley Gutsch, Director of the Manufacturing Alliance. “We’ve designed this to be useful for workforce boards, career counselors, and economic development teams who are already deeply embedded in their communities.”

Every county within the Manufacturing Alliance region maintains its own objectives for workforce development, business retention, and targeted manufacturing growth. The new website supports these efforts by providing a unified, user-friendly platform that enhances visibility for employers, highlights regional assets, and connects job seekers to high-quality career opportunities.

“We heard directly from our regional partners that they didn’t need another layer of strategy. They needed tools that support the work already being done, and that is what the website delivers,” said Steve Jahn, Executive Director of Momentum West, a regional partner. “The goal was simple: build something that every county could use, and now, every EDO has access to a site that supports their mission, strengthens their outreach, and keeps manufacturing front and center in regional strategy.”

The website consolidates industry spotlights, real-time employer listings, workforce development resources, and regional manufacturing profiles. It provides a professional online hub that showcases the strength and diversity of Western Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector.

The site also features and links to a growing series of videos highlighting manufacturing sectors, employers, and employees across the region. These videos bring authentic, real-world stories to job seekers and community audiences.

The website brings dedicated landing pages designed for immediate use in outreach, recruitment, and workforce initiatives:

• For Job Seekers: manufacturing career opportunities (https://www.manufacturingalliancewesternwi.com/for-job-seekers)
• For Manufacturers: visibility, resources, and regional profiles (https://www.manufacturingalliancewesternwi.com/for-manufacturers)
• For Educators: tools to connect students with high-tech manufacturing careers (https://www.manufacturingalliancewesternwi.com/for-educators)

The Manufacturing Alliance of Western Wisconsin plans to integrate the new website into a broader mix of storytelling tools, including social media, career fairs, employer events, and onsite manufacturing visits to highlight cutting-edge career opportunities and share stories from across the region’s manufacturing workforce.

“Our primary objective is to connect our future workforce to the manufacturing base in the region,” Jahn added. “There are fantastic, high-tech career paths here, and we’re excited to help tell those stories.”
The website was designed and developed by Golden Shovel Agency, a national firm specializing in economic development communications.

“We’ve worked with Golden Shovel for years, and it's always a positive experience! They understand our mission and consistently help us bring it to life through tools that strengthen regional collaboration,” said Jahn.

Visit https://www.manufacturingalliancewesternwi.com/ to explore the new website and learn more about the services and community initiatives available through the Manufacturing Alliance of Western Wisconsin.

The MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE OF WESTERN WISCONSIN is a regional organization dedicated to promoting all aspects of manufacturing in Western Wisconsin. It provides clear and concise information about the industry, with a focus on careers, workforce needs, and the vital role of manufacturing in the regional economy. Its mission is to connect students, educators, job seekers, and manufacturers with the resources and insights they need to thrive in today’s manufacturing landscape. The organization believes in the power of manufacturing to provide well-paying, in-demand jobs that blend hands-on skills with advanced technology.

GOLDEN SHOVEL AGENCY is a full-service economic development communications firm that helps communities, regions, and states grow and prosper. With over a decade of experience in the industry, its team of experts provides tailored solutions to attract and retain businesses, create jobs, and promote economic growth. Golden Shovel Agency specializes in website development, marketing and branding, workforce development, strategic planning, and business retention and expansion. Its innovative approach and commitment to customer service have earned it a reputation as a trusted partner in economic development.

For more information, contact:

Shirley Gutsch
Executive Director
director@manufacturingworks.org
(715) 456-4551