PlastiCert attends regional economic forum discussing education issues
Lewiston, MN April 2, 2015 – PlastiCert, a 34 year veteran of innovative and quality plastic injection molding design and manufacturing services, reports it’s President and Owner Craig Porter, attended a recent regional business forum.
On April 1st, Craig W. Porter, PlastiCert’s President and Owner attended the UW-LaCrosse’s Small Business Development Center and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation regional business forum, Economic Indicators: An Update for the 7 Rivers Region. UW-La Crosse Economics Associate Professor TJ Brooks offered insights and perspectives on the local economy during breakfast, followed by Guest speakers Tim Penny, president and chief operation officer for the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, and Mark White, president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals and current principal of Hintgen Elementary School. They both spoke to a regional outlook on early childhood education and initiatives, and the potential economic impact for the area.
“I always try to attend this forum, the networking is great and Professor Brooks is both enlightening AND entertaining, but this time I was very interested in what Mr. Penny and Mr. White had to say,” commented Porter. “My friends and colleagues know that education is a soft spot for me. I have been supportive of initiatives involving elementary through high school students as well as post-secondary. To hear their thoughts on the benefits of early childhood education and its contribution to a higher functioning workforce was very enlightening. I think many of my business associates are too shortsighted in their workforce concerns. Without a direct benefit, they disassociate themselves from getting involved.”
About the Economic Forum
UW-La Crosse, in cooperation with State Bank Financial and the La Crosse Tribune, initiated a long-term study in early 2002 of our region’s economic indicators. The research is ongoing and focuses on trends for a nine-county region that includes counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. This project is expected to continuously build a base of economic information and provide decision makers with valuable tools for strategic planning. The information will also provide a basis for comparison with other regions and a measure of our progress as a region.
Semi-annual breakfast meetings provide a general update on core indicators and also a focus on a selected economic topic.
About PlastiCert
PlastiCert was founded in 1981 and is a privately held corporation with headquarters and manufacturing in Lewiston Minnesota. Initially a custom molder targeted at the electronics industry, today PlastiCert is a one-stop shop for OEMs and entrepreneurs in telecom, industrial, computer, avionics, medical markets and more. PlastiCert provides both mold development/build and custom plastic injection molding; including insert molding and over molding. Also available are a compliment of value add capabilities including decorating and electro-mechanical assembly. For more information on PlastiCert and the opportunities we present users of custom molded plastic components, visit www.plasticert.com or call 507-523-2300.