The outgoing president of the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation says he wishes nothing but the best for a new combined FCEDC and Association of Commerce. Steve Jenkins announced last week he was stepping down at the end of June. Jenkins says he decided to leave because, personally for him, he did not see the new organization as a good fit in his approach toward economic development. “It was more of a personal decision on my part,:” Jenkins told WFDL news. “I certainly hope and wish that the new organization will have as much success as FCEDC has had in its 28 plus years of existence.” Jenkins says he believes the leadership of the new organization will strongly support economic development moving forward and specifically hopes the Ignite Program for entrepreneurial development will continue. Jenkins says he understands the concern about so-called donor fatigue when it comes to donations to two organizations. But he says a combined organization may actually need more financial assistance. “My feeling is moving foward there needs to be an increased investment in economic development not a retraction,” Jenkins said. “If you combine efforts and say you can write a smaller check; I think in reality the donors need to write larger checks in order for the new organization to have the same level of success.”
