Aaron Reimler
Community Economic Development Professional
La Crosse,WI
Summary
Innovative economic development professional with strong vision and dedication to community and ecosystem building. Result oriented and collaborative professional bringing expertise in modern economic and community development strategies, rural development, small business consultation, grant writing, grant management, program development, budgeting, and community and stakeholder engagement. Decisive, action driven, and proven driver of growth.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Business and Income Developer
Couleecap Inc
La Crosse, Wisconsin
2017.05 - Current
- Oversee all agency economic development programming.
- Direct consultation with over 200 small business start-ups; helping many to start-up, expand, or sustain operations.
- Authored grants and funding requests for government agencies, financial institutions, and private foundations that leveraged over $400,000 of public and private investment.
- Performed grant administration including managing communication with funders, grant reporting, budgeting, and establishment of new policies and procedures.
- Formed and sustained partnerships with members of state and municipal government agencies, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, main street organizations, local employers, financial institutions, and many area small businesses.
- Expanded and established retail incubation programs in four central commercial districts within the agency’s service area including three rural business development districts partnership with Main Street Organizations, and UW Extension Offices.
- Administered the award winning CO.STARTERS Entrepreneurial Training program in four different sites, as well as several other cohort based entrepreneurial training and support programs.
- Performed advocacy for small business, and sustainable economic development by submitting proposals and memos to government officials.
- Managed and administered small business development revolving loan funds; including the administration of economic recovery loans in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Worked with the city and county of La Crosse, and local economic development organizations to create a small business grant fund that raised and awarded over $200,000 to small businesses who were closed or operating at a reduced capacity, or were financing projects that allowed them to meet customers in new, safer ways due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Managed a profitable Co-Working space near the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
- Supervised one part-time employee managing workforce development efforts.
- Represented Couleecap Inc. on La Crosse’s Downtown Economic Vitality Committee, a W2 Steering Committee for our local Workforce Development Board, and work groups under La Crosse County’s Family Policy Board.
- Oversaw the agencies Skills Enhancement Program which was designed to support low-income, working adults looking to obtain a two year degree or advanced job training certificate, and employment that provided a living wage and access to employer sponsored benefits.
- Established and administered annual budget with effective controls to prevent overages, minimize burn rate and support sustainability objectives.
- Set, enforced and optimized internal policies to maintain efficiency and responsiveness to demands.
- Orchestrated positive media coverage and stakeholder relations as public face of Couleecap's Economic Development Programming.
- Investigated and addressed business development challenges to proactively mitigate problems.
Intern
The 7 Rivers Alliance
La Crosse, Wisconsin
2017.01 - 2017.05
- Conducted public policy research related to the organizations 10-year work force development plan for a 14-county region.
- Helped schedule and attend meetings with business owners, government officials, students, committee members, and other members of the organization.
- Helped devise strategies for policy recommendations to be made by the organization to accomplish its goals.
- Through extensive research, identify themes that can best highlight the economic policy needs for the various communities we work with.
- Gathered, arranged and corrected research data to create representative graphs and charts highlighting results for presentations.
- Attended meetings and presentations to learn more details about Wisconsin's impending labor pool shortage.
- Researched various subjects that were related to project and presented information to appropriate stakeholders.
- Supported design and implementation of survey instruments such as telephone questionnaires to obtain study information.
- Compiled data in reports and other documents using various Google Suite and Microsoft Programs.
GIS Intern
City of La Crosse Planning Department
La Crosse, Wisconsin
2013.06 - 2014.01
- Completed map making, and GIS related projects for the department, the City Planning Commission, and the City’s Common Council.
- Completed buffer maps used by the City Clerk’s office to gather data on property owners near rezoning projects.
- Assisted in the Planning Department and Heritage Preservation website redesign and redevelopment.
- Worked with Couleecap representatives in neighborhood revitalization efforts.
- Aided the Mayor in facilitating business roundtable meetings with local business owners.
- Answered phone calls and helping citizens who inquire about planning department services.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & Public Administration
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Skills
BudgetingBusiness development
Small Business Consultation
Financial Record Keeping
Fundraising and Grant Writing
GISGrant Management and Reporting
LeadershipMarketingInternal Policy Development
Problem solvingProposalsResearchSpreadsheetsManagement Experience
Project Development and Management
Technical Writing
Community Economic Development Specialist
Collaboration
Modern Economic and Community Development Strategies
Land utilization
Written Communication
Planning and Coordination
Rural Economic Development
Additional Information
- PERSONAL SKILLS & HIGHLIGHTS , Political Science and Public Administration Education Dean’s List Achievement Certified CO.STARTERS Entrepreneurial Training Program Facilitator
Timeline
Business and Income Developer
Couleecap Inc
2017.05 - Current
Intern
The 7 Rivers Alliance
2017.01 - 2017.05
GIS Intern
City of La Crosse Planning Department
2013.06 - 2014.01
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & Public Administration
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse