Restaurants have become a key element in the business mix of downtowns throughout Wisconsin and the U.S. Their growth has helped reestablish downtown as the central social district of our communities and they have been a major employer and a visible example of entrepreneurship at work.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Wisconsin’s economy. When the country reported the first case on January 20th, 2020, there was uncertainty as to how fast and far the virus would spread. On March 11th, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic and on March 16th all Wisconsin public schools were ordered to close while Governor Tony Evers instituted a Safer-at-Home order and closure of all non-essential businesses.
INTRODUCTION September 2020 — There is a shift toward clean, reliable and affordable electricity in the United States, and local governments and tribal nations have an opportunity to position their communities well in the growing renewable energy economy. Local governments are installing solar systems on their own buildings and land and are working with partners […]
Summary September 2020 — Gail Huycke, Community Development Specialist, leads a panel of state broadband experts and practitioners, including Jaron McCallum, Wisconsin Public Service Commission, to talk about grant opportunities to improve broadband access across Wisconsin. Webinar Recording Explore Our Lunch-n-Learn Series
About September 2020 — This report provides a sample of how downtown buildings in small towns can be put to productive use in generating activity and community pride. It is intended to stimulate new ideas for reusing buildings for retail, food and beverage, services, and community spaces. Situation Small town downtowns (in municipalities with less […]
Recent analysis demonstrates that communities of color are disproportionately suffering the health impacts of COVID-19. In Milwaukee County, 29 percent of the population is Black or African American yet Black or African Americans represent 43 percent of COVID-19-related deaths1. Much like the poor health outcomes from COVID-19 are disproportionately suffered by people of color, the economic costs are likely also inequitably distributed across racial and ethnic groups.
Summary June 2020 — Matt Kures and Tessa Conroy discuss the industries and occupations that may be more affected by COVID-19 as the economy begins to reopen. Webinar Recording Explore Our Lunch-n-Learn Series
Summary May 2020 — Three-part discussion with the author: Session 1: May 21, 2020 video Planning and Consultants Power of RFPs to attract developers Formation of a BID for organizing your community Power of Feasibility studies—Housing, Retail, Office Build a Strategic Plan with community input and quantitative goals. Collaboration with large institutions and private developers […]
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY May 2020 — Using 2019 county sales tax data, we examine the strength and weaknesses of Wisconsin retail and service markets through the application of the tools of Trade Area Analysis. Only those counties that have elected to collect the optional county sales tax are included in the analysis. Because sales tax data […]
Summary May 2020 — Tessa Conroy discusses what the 1918 flu can teach us about the economic impacts of pandemics. Webinar Recording Additional Materials What Does the 1918 Flu Reveal About the Economic Impacts of a Pandemic? PowerPoint Explore Our Lunch-n-Learn Series
Summary April 2020 — Bill Ryan from the Community Development Institute and Karina Ward from Ozaukee County Extension discuss a new tool to measure downtown vitality in mid-sized communities. Webinar Recording Explore Our Lunch-n-Learn Series
The Safer-At-Home order by Governor Evers put into effect starting March 25, 2020 in response to COVID-19 has drawn attention to the lack of adequate broadband in many parts of Wisconsin. As many employees work from home, students take their courses online, patients seek care through telehealth, and families entertain themselves at home with streaming services, access to broadband has become all the more apparent and the impacts more significant. Without access to adequate broadband service, employees find it difficult to work.
