Thanks for a great 2023

On behalf of everyone who has helped me get 608 Beacon Enterprises LLC off the ground during the past six months, I want to thank you.

Chambers of commerce, local businesses, individuals and even non-profits have benefited from 608 Beacon Enterprises in 2023. Why? Because a community without companies willing to give back (in the case of 608 Beacon Enterprises LLC it was in-kind labor, press releases and photos) is just a bedroom community.

Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove needs individuals and organizations willing to toot the community horn. We need people to understand why this area is so unique.

After being a resident here for more than 34 years, I can speak to that.

Sun Prairie has faced some challenges during that three-plus-decade period.

One of those large challenges was rebuilding the downtown after the 2018 natural gas explosion that claimed five buildings near the intersection of Bristol and Main streets, and the life of Sun Prairie Fire Capt. Cory Barr.?

The same with Cottage Grove. Increasing development pressure is dividing legacy residents and new residents, who don’t understand why more of the community doesn’t have more community amenities to assist lower income folks such as a library.?

But there are more challenges ahead: Development debates; changes in leadership; and raising money for community entities including Habitat for Humanity of Dane County , the expansion of the Sun Prairie Public Library , the growth of the Cottage Grove Community Foundation, SUNSHINE PLACE INC and their ever-expanding community roles; addressing community mental health challenges and more.

608 Beacon Enterprises LLC has a role: being here.?

608 Beacon Enterprises LLC plans to help bring awareness to businesses and non-profit organizations in the community.?

With 33-plus years of experience with area media, including working as a reporter-photographer and editor with local media companies, 608 Beacon Enterprises LLC uses content creation to help tell those stories. That content can include everything from brochures to press releases to short and long form stories to photography and website copy.

2023 is almost behind us. As always, 2024 arrives with opportunity, hope and uncertainty about what the new year brings.

Let’s end the uncertainty. Find us at www.608beaconenterprisesllc.com and we’ll make a plan together. Let’s light a beacon to pierce the fog of your communications needs.?

In the immortal words of future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady , “LET’S GO!”?

Chris Mertes is the former editor of the Sun Prairie Star newspaper and a former employee with media companies including Hometown News Group, where he also covered meetings and community events for the Cottage Grove-Monona Herald-Independent; The Courier, covering Marshall and Waterloo; and the McFarland Thistle. He worked in 2023 as a freelance reporter for The Oconomowoc Enterprise, The Middleton Times-Tribune and The Waukesha Freeman. He is the current Chief Innovation Officer for 608 Beacon Enterprises LLC , which is a member of the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce and Cottage Grove WI Chamber of Commerce .?