Forward Janesville - TheReport - First Quarter 2018

FIRST QUARTER 2018 • 9 14. Get your water fix with 36 miles of the scenic Rock River flowing through the city (and keep an eye out for even more recreational activities on the river coming soon thanks to the ARISE downtown initiative). 15. Unemployment peaked in September 2009 at 13.9 percent following GM’s departure. Today, unemployment is at historic lows , hovering around 4 percent. 16. Grab a chair and catch up on what’s new with Janesville’s award-winning, 172-year-old community newspaper , The Janesville Gazette—one of the oldest news organizations in the state. 17. Like to golf? You’ve come to the right place: Janesville offers 99 holes of golf across four courses . 18. Our furry friends don’t have to go far in this city to enjoy the great outdoors . Paw Print Park, which is part of the Prairie Knoll Park on the south edge of Janesville, is made just for them. 19. According to MSN Money, Janesville is #2 for fastest income growth in the U.S. , based on income growth 2008-2013, per capita income, and annual unemployment. 20. It may be hard to imagine with snow on the ground, but come May 7, the Janesville Farmer’s Market will kick-off the 2018 season , helping residents stock up on produce, specialty items, crafts, flowers, and more every Saturday morning. 21. Janesville is home to a progressive and innovative school district that puts students first , helping Janesville stay ahead of the curve. In fact, 91% of Janesville residents age 25 and older are high school or higher graduates. 22. Rest easy tonight, since a minimum of 24 firefighters and emergency medical personnel are always on duty, and our county’s excellent health care facilities admit patients to our local ERs 74 minutes sooner than the national average. 23. Every spring, Traxler Park travels back in time, becoming a Renaissance Era paradise at the annual Janesville Renaissance Faire . See you there, milady. 24. Enjoy bi-monthly musical concerts and feed your musical soul at the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra. 25. Janesville and Beloit are home to 20 hotels and multiple external venues capable of hosting conferences and events. Plus, get ready for two more hotels soon—one is planned for downtown and another off the I-90 corridor. Watch for more as details become available. 26. Get ready for summer picnics by checking out one of the 26 parks the Janesville “City of Parks” has on offer. Janesville alone has more than 2,500 acres of parkland, 30 miles of paved trails, six boat launches, the Ice Age Trail and a 500- acre greenbelt system . 27. You don’t have to wait for summer to have fun, thanks to 226 miles of snowmobiling trails . 28. If warm weather and watersports are synonymous for you, head on over to one of six public boat launches in Janesville … or take a 10-minute scenic drive to the recreational 10,460-acre Lake Koshkonong in Newville. Summer fun awaits! 29. New construction is booming . The value of residential permits for additions/new construction in Rock County in 2016 was $122.5 million. 30. Rock County new construction projects totaled $115.7 million in 2017. 31. We care about our infrastructure. In 2016, $19.5 million of public works and infrastructure projects were completed . 32. Per capital personal income in Rock County has been steadily rising , from $32,036 in 2007 to $39,400 in 2016. 33. Love outdoor concerts? Enjoy live entertainment on warm summer Tuesday evenings along with many other Main Street Entertainment programs in front of the Rock County Courthouse. 34. The Janesville Senior Center on Main Street prides itself on breaking the stereotypes associated with senior centers of old , offering action- packed fitness classes, recreational-educational programs, advocacy, and fellowship. 35. Janesville has certainly had the national spotlight in recent years, most notably as the home of Paul Ryan, the 54th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2015. 36. In another testament to economic growth and stability, Rock County Sales & Use Tax Collections hit a collections record high in Q3 2017 . 37. If you’re feeling like a walk might do you good, take advantage of the more than 35 miles of trails Janesville has to offer. 38. Janesville is home to the Rock Aqua Jays, the world’s most successful water ski show team . 39. The Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC), complete with a 633-seat theater, offers outstanding events that range from community theater and comedy nights to headlining concerts . Be sure to reserve your favorite show before tickets sell out. 40. Get involved with ease. With more than 1,000 registered non-profits, volunteer opportunities are abundant. 41. The Janesville Youth Sports Complex has provided a beautiful space for young athletes to practice and play since the first field opened in 2010. 42. Thanks to a generous donation from the Martin W. Roth family , the Roth Pavilion in Lower Courthouse Park is a reality. Watch for summer performances, like the July 3, 2018, Concert in the Park featuring the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra performing a patriotic pops concert. 43. Head over the Janesville Ice Arena to watch the Janesville Jets, the Janesville-based Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League, battle it out with rivals.