AJ Frank, owner of Door County Trolley, Incorporated, is the winner of the Door County Economic Development Corporation’s annual “entrepreneur of the year” award. “Door County Trolley” was started in 2000 to provide transportation around the Door Peninsula for tourists and visitors who had traveled to the area by auto. Since starting the business, Frank has increased his fleet from one to 11 and ridership has grown from less than 500 to well into the tens of thousands. And, the company’s direct payroll is expected to grow from 13 to 15 in june of this year. Whether its specializing in specific activities such as the ghost, lighthouse and premier wine tours or providing wedding and private charter tours, as well as classic car wedding packages and classic car special events, “Door County Trolley” has found a niche market that continues to grow. The “entrepreneur of the year” award celebrates those individuals who have taken the initiative to start and grow a successful small business in Door County. Last year’s winners were the Wienke family and Wienke’s Market of southern Door County.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker was the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the Door County Economic Development Corporation. The governor touted his administration’s accomplishments, noting that billion dollar deficits and double-digit tax hikes had been replaced with a 911 billion dollar surplus and nearly two billion dollars in tax relief. Walker said he was proud of the fact that 17-thousand new businesses had been created and unemployment was down by three points during his tenure, but more could be done. The governor pointed to investments in the areas of career development and worker training…
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Walker also said schools need to be multi-faceted when helping students find a career path, rather than just emphasizing a college education…
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Governor Walker said, with a stronger economy, more of the state’s “baby boomer” generation will be leaving the workforce, and highly trained workers will be needed to replace them.
