March 2022 — Housing is an essential element in the revitalization of downtown districts. Demographic and lifestyle changes create new opportunities for specific residential segments and housing categories. This section provides an abbreviated method for assessing general market opportunities using a simple demand and supply analysis for a community. A more focused assessment of downtown […]
Art and Entertainment events can draw people downtown and increase economic activity in a variety of business categories. These events can attract people downtown who normally would not visit.
This section explains how demographic data can be used to better understand the current and potential residents of your downtown. Demographic and lifestyle data can give you a starting point for an in-depth analysis of specific business and real estate development opportunities. This data also can help the broader community understand how it is changing.
The development of seasonal and recreational housing units in Wisconsin reflects the economic transitions of many counties that were formerly dependent on natural resource extraction to a current reliance on services, hospitality, and recreation. With these transformations also come regional opportunities and challenges related to the growth of seasonal and recreational housing.
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
