Determination . Tenacity . Grit . Monroe County . Wisconsin .
FROM THE CEO
Hundreds Gather Despite Threat of Storm
The annual Monroe County Fair has come and gone , which means that the Chambers of Commerce in both Sparta and Tomah again co-hosted ( along with many other sponsors and partners ) the Business After 5 at the Monroe County Fair . We were asked several times how many years how this partnership had been going on for , and we couldn ’ t find a date of inception ; however , in speaking with Dave Magnum , from Magnum . Media , he indicated that it had surpassed his 28 year involvement . That ’ s a pretty amazing collaboration .
The weather this day was supposed to have severe thunderstorms leading up to and during the event . We were watching the weather service and it didn ’ t look good . But , no one bailed . No one called us and wanted to back out . Everyone moved full speed ahead in the direction of the goal : Come together as a county celebrating business success .
Perhaps one of the unique things about the businesses in Monroe County is that we don ’ t scare off easily . We show up . We see the storm clouds looming in the horizon and we put our rain boots on . Maybe that is why so many businesses in our region have been successful for the long haul . We certainly couldn ’ t have decades of a successful Business After 5 at the Monroe County Fair without businesses that endured for decades .
Determination . Tenacity . Grit . Monroe County . Wisconsin .
I ’ ve lived in Monroe County the majority of my life . Good or bad … it ’ s the case . Living here has instilled an intense sense of pride in this region . I love the people . I love knowing the history of the businesses here . I love knowing that my grandparents owned businesses and raised families here . I love being a part of a community where I know that one person … just one … can make real change .
Being at the County Fair last week spoke volumes to me about the people that live here . It was not lost on me that I saw kids showing their livestock that were there with their grandparents … who also showed livestock there . I remember seeing kids names up above the livestock and thinking to myself “ I rode the bus with their mom !” and “ their grandparents raised llamas too !” How cool is it to see friends and neighbors who have passed down traditions of hard work and values through the generations !
I ’ ve found our area to be a place where people are brutally honest , loyal to each other , endearing and hard working . There may be a million communities like ours , but none just quite exactly like it . It is family here . It may not always be pretty , but deep down , we all need each other to grow together .
Thanks to all who participated in this years Business After 5 at the Monroe County Fair . It was a successful event because of your sponsorship … but beyond that , thank you to all who chose to have a business in Monroe County . You have faced the storms in the eye and laughed at the clouds … you have heard the thunder looming in the distance and pulled on your rain boots . You provided jobs when times were uncertain and laid the groundwork for future economic growth . You are Monroe County . Thank you for the memories and the future .
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