Profiles of Best Practices (For an Adobe Acrobat version of this profile, click here!) Supporting a Local Natural Resource Business-Beehive Botanicals Community, County Hayward , Sawyer County Area of Project Impact Greater Hayward Area Population Affected 7,500 (estimate)
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Situation
The community of Hayward lacked the capacity to meet the needs of an international, small family-owned, natural resource-based business that sought to expand and grow.
Economic Development Strategies
The Hayward community, the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, the Department of Commerce and the Rural Economic Development Corporation worked with a local business owner to increase the efficiency and expand the capacity of an existing area business.
Implementation
The Hayward community wanted to support a local international business, Beehive Botanicals, in leveraging resources for the creation of production space, acquisition of equipment and market development for the business' growing product line. The company had been in the area since it was founded in 1972. In the decades since, Beehive Botanicals grew to include raw material sales, private label items and thirty-two Beehive Botanicals brand consumer products. Today, under the stewardship of Linda Graham, the founder's daughter, Beehive distributes raw material and finished goods in the U.S. , Canada and 23 foreign countries.
In 1993, the company developed Propol2000 TM , the first standardized propolis offered in North America . During this time, the small business sought to grow and Hayward sought to support that growth. A variety of economic development stakeholders came forward to meet the needs of this company. In 1994 and 2000, loans for building expansion and equipment purchases were issued from the Northwest Wisconsin Business Development Corporation (NWBDC) to Beehive Botanical. Through loans from NWBDC, Beehive secured a source of long-term, low-interest financing. Also in 1994, 1996 and 2000, the Rural Economic Development Corporation granted the company additional low interest loans for various equipment acquisitions and marketing studies. In addition, the Northern States Power Company provided Beehive Botanicals with a low interest loan in 1995 to purchase specialized equipment.
Through these loans, Beehive Botanicals has continued to grow and capture new markets while building new partnerships. For instance, the company is a member of MIATCO (The Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council), a private, non-profit association that offers services to help U.S. companies promote their midwestern food and agricultural products in foreign markets. In addition, Beehive Botanicals has attended trade shows in Mexico and has accompanied former Governor Tommy Thompson on the Governor's Trade Mission to Russia with the goal of increasing Wisconsin exports. Through its success, the company markets not only its products but also Wisconsin 's Northwoods and the Greater Hayward area.
Partners and Leadership
The Hayward community, the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, the Department of Commerce, and the Rural Economic Development Corporation, the Northwest Wisconsin Business Development Corporation (NWBDC), the Northern States Power Company, the Northern States Power Company, and MIATCO have all worked as economic development support systems to help grow Beehive Botanicals.
Outcomes
In 1993, Beehive Botanicals was the recipient of the Governor's Export Achievement Award in the small food/agriculture firm category because of its export-related growth, innovative techniques and approaches, and demonstration of exceptional efforts to capture worldwide markets. With 31 employees, new markets and expanding product lines, Beehive Botanicals is a great example of a local business using the resources at the local, state and federal level to expand their business.
Contact
Karla Pedersen
Beehive Botanicals
16297W Nursery Road
Hayward , WI 54843
(715) 634-4274
