Affecting Change through Relationship Building

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 Color […]

2022 Wisconsin Rural Economic Summit

Using the latest research and data, the Wisconsin Rural Economic Summit focuses on Wisconsin’s rural economy. The summit includes an overview of the latest economic and demographic trends, an examination of labor force trends, a focus on tech entrepreneurship in rural communities, and discussions on rural healthcare and rural child care. The event ends with a discussion of the 4th wave of economic development and its importance to rural Wisconsin.

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Potentials of Pedestrian Malls (Issue 196, February 2022)

Since its inception, members of the American Downtown Revitalization Review’s (ADRR) Board have engaged in a near-continuous e-mail dialogue about a wide range of issues, trends and opportunities that do not, in our opinions, always receive the attention they need and deserve in other media outlets and industry publications. The vitality of these conversations is evident in the number who join and/or read these back-and-forths more than two years after the ADRR’s launch; indeed, over time, non-Board members have added to the ferment with their own observations and insights.

Trade Area Analysis

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.

BIDs and Activating Downtowns

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.

Black Business Owners Speak Wisconsin

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 […]

Data Insights on Black Business Owners in Wisconsin

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 […]

Economic Development Tools for Commercial Districts (Issue 165, March 2010)

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.

Reading Your Broadband Bill

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 […]

Wisconsin Broadband Summit

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.

Integrating Affordable, Multi-Family Housing and Clean Energy Solutions

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 […]

Cooperation for Community Economic Development

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 […]

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