New North Inc., the regional economic development corporation serving the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, has been awarded $425,000 in funding through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Talent Recruitment Grant program. The grant will support expansion of the New North Hires Heroes initiative in collaboration with Central Command, a military talent attraction and relocation effort of Centergy to serve Northeast and North Central Wisconsin.

New North Hires Heroes helps transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses connect with employment opportunities and communities in Wisconsin where they can build long-term roots. Eligible participants may receive a $5,000 relocation incentive after relocating to Wisconsin, subject to grant requirements and approval, through the New Mission. New North initiative.

The program is delivered in partnership with Semper Forward, which supports national outreach, screening, career coaching, relocation readiness and employer introductions. Semper Forward is a veteran-led military talent recruitment organization and a long-time partner of New North.

“Wisconsin employers continue to face workforce challenges, making talent attraction an economic development priority,” says Rebecca Deschane, vice president of talent development for New North Inc. “Military-connected talent offers leadership, technical skills, adaptability, discipline and mission-driven workforce experience. Recruitment of seasoned talent from outside Wisconsin can help employers fill critical roles and strengthen regional competitiveness. The WEDC Talent Recruitment Grant allows New North to reduce relocation friction for qualified candidates while connecting them with employers and communities.”

A new, dedicated website, along with a proprietary app, has been developed for this initiative: https://www.thenewnorth.com/hires-heroes/new-mission/. It offers service members the opportunity to explore options by prioritizing the factors important to them, then makes a connection with Semper Forward for initial steps. After being prescreened and vetted, applicants are sent the grant application from New North.

Eligible recipients who move to one of eight Wisconsin counties – Shawano, Oconto, Brown, Outagamie, Waupaca, Menominee, Langlade or Marathon – can receive the grant.

The WEDC Talent Recruitment Grant program supports the attraction of out-of-state talent to Wisconsin. The goal of this particular grant is to attract 25 individuals/households to Northeast/North Central Wisconsin over the two-year grant period.

“A job offer is only part of the decision for a transitioning service member,” says Jen Griffis, operations manager of Semper Forward, a division of Fastport. “They’re thinking about their spouse’s career, their kids’ schools, and whether they can afford the move. The Talent Recruitment Grant speaks to all of that. Semper Forward is honored to work alongside New North to make Northeast Wisconsin a place where military families can land, stay and build a life.”

More than 200,000 service members transition out of the military annually, offering an untapped talent pipeline. Roughly 100 military families have returned or moved to Northeast Wisconsin under the New North Hires Heroes talent initiative since it was launched in November 2020.

“We have found that Wisconsin is attractive to military families looking at relocation,” Deschane adds. “Along with career opportunities, community fit often plays an important role in relocation decisions.”

Employers located within the New North region who are interested in getting involved with the program – and gaining access to a screened, relocation-ready and military-connected talent pipeline – can contact Deschane at Rebecca.Deschane@thenewnorth.com.

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New North Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit, regional economic development corporationfostering collaboration among private and public sector leaders throughout the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, known as the New North region. The New North brand unites the region both internally and externally around talent development, brand promotion and business development, signifying the collective economic power behind the 18 counties. The counties include Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago. www.thenewnorth.com