Defining a downtown or business district’s trade area is an important first step in any market analysis. This step is crucial because it defines the boundaries that will serve as the basis for further study. It also helps individual businesses identify opportunities to expand their own trade area.
In this webinar, we discuss how city leaders, businesses, property owners, and others can “shape their city” for the betterment of all and how Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) can be used as a tool in that process. The focus of the webinar is on leadership and partnerships that help create an effective downtown organization.
Summary February 2022 — As part of “Black History Month 2022: Why does Black History Matter to Extension’s work?” by the African American Black Employee Resource Group (AABERG), members of the the Entrepreneurs of Color Business Support Team, co-hosted a series incorporating Black History into Extension programming, sharing stories, research and vibrant discussion. The Entrepreneurs of […]
Summary February 2022 — As part of “Black History Month 2022: Why does Black History Matter to Extension’s work?” by the African American Black Employee Resource Group (AABERG), members of the the Entrepreneurs of Color Business Support Team, co-hosted a series incorporating Black History into Extension programming, sharing stories, research and vibrant discussion. The Entrepreneurs of […]
From local angel investment groups to retail condos, communities are experimenting with new economic development tools (and putting a new spin on some old ones) to stimulate and support commercial district business and property development. This article summarizes a recent presentation by Kennedy Smith that highlights a number of promising tools. Also presented here are strategies for putting them to work in your revitalization program.
Broadband Fact Sheet Overview January 2022 — “What a cable company advertises to a consumer as a monthly price for services, and what the consumer actually ends up paying, can be dramatically different.” (Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumer Reports magazine). In 2019, a representative survey of 2,057 U.S. adults were asked about add-on fees […]
Access to broadband is critical for Wisconsin communities in the 21st century – connected to better business performance, entrepreneurship, higher home values, better educational outcomes, improved health outcomes, and higher worker productivity. Despite these benefits, access to high-quality broadband is limited in many communities throughout Wisconsin.
Summary October 2021 — Peter Kilde, CCAP, Executive Director of West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency (West CAP) discusses the successful development of high-quality, affordable multi-family housing that integrates cutting-edge clean, renewable energy. Webinar Recording Additional Materials Integrating Affordable, Multi-Family, Energy-Efficient Housing, PowerPoint About the Project On a clear day, the sun rising over River […]
October 2021 — The need for communities to work together on issues of mutual interest and concern has been widely expressed by both academics and community development practitioners for a number of years. Small town decision-making capacity to “go it alone” is inhibited by a growing number of external linkages in both the public and […]
Summary October 2021 — Across the nation in downtowns large and small, leaders and stakeholders are beginning to ask questions such as: Where will retail be in downtowns like ours as we recover from this very stressful crisis? What are the best opportunities for regaining, and possibly increasing, the strength of our downtown’s retailing? What […]
Community Vitality + Placemaking Fact Sheet Imageability Mapping Overview September 2021 — MIT Professor and author Kevin Lynch developed imageability mapping in order to describe the unique relationships of urban elements within a given city. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension has adapted his approach to help communities better understand themselves. Using a group […]
Summary September 2021 — Real estate development professional and creative entrepreneur, Heidi Zimmer, discusses affordable housing in rural communities and shares her experience and perspective as a developer. Webinar Recording Additional Materials A Developer’s Perspective, PowerPoint About Our Presenter Heidi Zimmer is the founder of Wild Rice Retreat in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and President of Zimmer Development, LLC. […]
