Former mayor Kabat introduced as new director of La Crosse Area Development Corp.

Former La Crosse mayor Tim Kabat has a new job.

Kabat was introduced Tuesday as the new director of the La Crosse Area Development Corporation (LADCO).

The nonprofit is nearing 50 years of helping support economic growth and diversification in the area.

Kabat spent the past eight years as mayor but did not seek re-election this past April. He had also been on the LADCO board of directors during his time as mayor, however.

“I feel like this is the perfect role for me,” Kabat said at a press conference Tuesday at the OmniCenter in Onalaska, “as I’m moving from a public sector but still in public service and LADCO’s role as a leading nonprofit. LADCO really has been a shining star, and I’m glad to be part of the organization.”

LADCO terminated its last executive director, Jorge Beltran, for fraud allegations last fall. He did plead not guilty last month.

Kabat hopes LADCO and other nonprofits can help small business recover from the pandemic, helping them utilize government aid and highlight the opportunities this area has to offer.

“The next several years will be critical, as our area recovers from the economic catastrophe that was COVID-19,” Kabat said. “LADCO will be on the forefront, assisting our businesses to grow and adapt and helping people get back to work.”

LADCO describes itself as, “private, nonprofit organization that leads the development and diversification of the La Crosse County regional economy through the location and expansion of quality employers and job producing investments, including foreign direct investment, increasing exporting and finding real estate solutions. We exist to drive the Coulee region’s economic growth, diversification, and sustainability through recruiting new business to the region, helping our local companies stay and grow, and bridging the gap between education and industry to build a sustainable workforce pipeline to employment are also a large part of our economic development focus.

“LADCO is supported by its partners (municipalities in La Crosse County and Minnesota, and La Crosse County) and more than 110 private sector investors. Since 1972, LADCO has assisted companies with their location and/or expansion plans, creating thousands of jobs for Coulee region residents. The La Crosse area is at a pivotal point in history. The region is positioned to be a competitive national and global economy and LADCO is invested in driving progress.”