Janesville is more than just a place on the map—it is our home. It’s where we work, raise our families, and build our futures. As Forward Janesville Board Chair Derek Greene said during a recent WCLO interview, "This is my home, and I am proud of it. I want to make it a better place." That sentiment resonates with so many of us who are committed to the growth and success of this community. We believe in Janesville, its people, and the values that make this city strong. 2025 will be a big year for Janesville. The Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center is scheduled to open and the Children’s Museum of Rock County is set to break ground, with a grand opening expected in 2026. Both projects have family enrichment and economic development at their core, and each achieved major success in philanthropic giving, signaling strong community support. The Forward Foundation was a key partner on both projects. In 2024, the Foundation made additional impacts through its Vision Forward Fund and will expand on those achievements this year. One of the cornerstones of our work at Forward Janesville is ensuring that our existing businesses have the support they need to thrive and grow. That’s why the Forward Janesville Board of Directors prioritized Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) in 2024. From October to February, Forward Janesville conducted 48 in-person surveys that represented a cross-section of local businesses, from international corporations headquartered in Janesville to small businesses established on passion and grit. The purpose of the BRE survey was to understand Janesville’s business climate through the perspective of the businesses themselves. The outcome is to identify areas of strength and growth to ensure our community is doing everything it can to keep businesses expanding locally. Read about everything on the horizon in our “What’s Next, Janesville?” feature. You will also be inspired by our community’s momentum when you revisit Forward Janesville’s Annual Dinner in “A Night to Remember.” Fred Smith, Founder & Executive Chairman of FedEx Corporation, passed on pieces of wisdom during his fireside chat, the most important of which was to embrace change. When looking at all Janesville has accomplished during the last decade and a half, it is clear our community has already leaned into that message. And, we have no intention of stopping. When I asked the audience “What’s next?” that evening, we received more than 800 responses to our real-time Mentimeter poll. The top response by far was “growth.” Everyone is ready for more bold vision and strong action. There are already many people growing our community in new and different ways. In our “Localize It” section, read about what Cheryl Peterson, Ray Oswald and Edward Caceres are doing to build, connect, and innovate. We also want to give special acknowledgement to our Quarter Century Club members who have been part of Forward Janesville for 25 years or more. Thank you for being community champions who appreciate the value of chamber membership and understand the central role chambers play in a thriving business community. It's been wonderful to watch Janesville's reinvention over the past decade. From attending Forward Janesville events to now leading the organization, I am thrilled to be part of the change. In 2024, Forward Janesville was 585 members strong. We hosted 20 signature events that engaged an audience of 3,300+ and we connected with thousands more through our well-developed digital presence. With the growth trajectory strong for 2025, we can't wait to see where we - and the Forward Janesville network - go. Future Forward: What’s Ahead in 2025 4 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Shar Hermanson President & CEO Forward Janesville
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