Ten Ways HEARRR Strengthens the Regional Economy

1. Raising educational levels to create a quality workforce by enrolling 18,000 students annually in 64 certificate programs, 5 apprenticeship programs, 25 associate degree programs, 80 bachelor's degree programs, 11 master's degree programs, 4 advanced nursing degrees, doctor of medicine degree, and a post-doctoral certificate in medicine

2. Improving learning and teaching from pre-school through graduate school through working with the public schools and by securing over $10 million in competitive grants.

3. Training and supporting - where you need it, when you need it - over 1,000 businesses and 4,000 employees each year, and through programs such as the The Rock River Valley Entrepreneurship Center, Small Business Development Center, and the Procurement Technical Assistance program.

4. Providing lifelong learning opportunities to over 15,000 students a year through continuing education, GED, adult basic education, and English as Second Language programs, as well as the Jane Addams Center for Civic Public Engagement

5. Identifying the needs of business and industry by including them on nearly 80 advisory committees for academic and professional programs

6. Taking strong and visible roles in regional initiatives through partnerships that involve hundreds of local public and private agencies.

7. Disseminating research and promoting technology transfer through over 25 specialized research studies and by working with legislators to procure $6 million for the AgTech and EigerLab initiatives

8. Enhancing the technology infrastructure through NIUNet, a fiber optic network to give the Rock River Region broadband access to the world, and by offering programs in information technology, biotechnology, engineering, and applied technologies.

9. Promoting livable communities through extensive regional arts programming and NCAA athletics.

10. Employing a diverse workforce with an annual payroll in excess of $66 million, which generates an additional $24.8 million in income for Winnebago County alone.