Brodhead TID#8 Redevelopment Area
Brodhead TID#8 Redevelopment Area
Green County Home Construction Cooperative Wins Coveted Award
Green County Home Construction Cooperative Wins Coveted Community and Economic Development Award
Achievements in Economic Development Recognized at 2024 CEDA Awards
Eau Claire, WI – The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) is excited to announce Green County Home Construction Cooperative has won a 2024 Community and Economic Development Award (CEDA) in the Community Impact category. The CEDA Awards were established by WEDA to recognize economic development projects, businesses, and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Wisconsin economy. Winners were recognized at the annual CEDA Awards ceremony, which was held September 26, 2024, in Eau Claire, WI.
Three CEDA finalists were selected in each of the four following CEDA categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Community Impact; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention. The winners in each category were announced and celebrated at the awards ceremony that was attended by over 200 economic development professionals from across the state.
“Economic development drives growth and prosperity throughout Wisconsin, attracting capital investment, creating new jobs, and providing an improved quality of life for residents. However, the hard work of economic development professionals is usually underappreciated and often unrecognized,” said WEDA Interim President and CEO Kathryn Berger. “The CEDA Awards provides a much-needed opportunity to celebrate economic development and the accomplishments of so many hard-working industry professionals. I am thrilled to congratulate each CEDA finalist and winner.”
Green County Home Construction Cooperative won their CEDA Award in the Community Impact category, which recognizes innovation in community development that promotes and advances health and economic prosperity in Wisconsin communities. Finalist projects in this category demonstrated at least one of the following: Development or expansion of the community’s entrepreneurial ecosystem; development of quality placemaking or place keeping initiatives; redevelopment of blighted buildings into a project that has revitalized the community; or development of downtown or main street workforce housing.
The Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) Home Construction Cooperative was created to address two critical issues in the Green County area – the shortage of skilled trades workers and the lack of affordable family housing. The program, kick-started through the donation of a vacant home from SSM Health Monroe, engaged 16 students from Monroe High School in the renovation of the donated home. Working together with local contractors in one-hour blocks three days per week, students gained trades skills experience that will last a lifetime, including exposure to general construction, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, masonry, and landscaping. The Home Construction Cooperative, which is boosting affordable housing stock and developing the next generation of skilled trades professionals one house at a time, is positioned to make an impact well into the future.
“We are honored to be recognized alongside the other worthy projects and thank WEDA for this honor,” said Olivia Otte, Executive Director of Green County Development Corporation. “The Home Construction Cooperative is a very special program for Green County and illustrates how rural communities work to solve problems. This program has truly been a community effort, from the school district and the City of Monroe to local businesses and other partners. We wouldn’t be successful without their support.”
CEDA finalists were screened and selected by an impartial panel of judges comprised of key WEDA members and partners. The independent panel reviewed many projects that were submitted for consideration, but the 12 finalists and ultimately the winners were selected based on the significant economic impact each project has had on its respective community or region. The 2024 CEDA Awards would not have been possible without the support of WEDA’s generous partners and sponsors, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; Alliant Energy; Dairyland Power Cooperative; First Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise; Madison Gas & Electric; US Bank; the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute; and Xcel Energy.
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About WEDA
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association, founded in 1975, is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to growing Wisconsin’s economy. Driven by the needs of our 400-plus members, we represent the economic development interests of both the private and public sectors through advocacy, education, and leadership on statewide initiatives.
GCDC Partners with REV
Local Coalition in Green County Begins New Rural Entrepreneurship Program
The Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) in Green County is partnering up with UW–Madison Extension on a new effort to engage rural entrepreneurs and strengthen community connection. As part of a grant-funded program from Compeer Financial, Extension is providing coaching and guidance for local groups to spur sustained entrepreneurship. The groups selected for this program recently moved into a phase to implement best practices and procedures for economic growth.
Extension’s Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) is an entrepreneurial development program designed to advance small town economies through a targeted business approach. Wisconsin REV is being developed in partnership with Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA), Compeer Financial, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), and e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. This effort is being funded by Compeer Financial. Launched this year, Wisconsin REV provides coaching, resources and connections throughout the visioning and implementation process as each community explores what economic development means for their communities. More information can be found at https://go.wisc.edu/wirev.
Communities across the country have shown great success and economic growth by using a “grow your own” approach to entrepreneur development. Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) is an established program designed to advance small-town economies through a focus on businesses, nonprofits, and government. Wisconsin REV will use this same approach to help Wisconsin communities flourish.
REV kicked off its eReady phase in June. The eReady phase is designed to provide the background and foundations of the REV framework. It gives a REV community time to assemble their core leadership team, preview the REV processes and potential outcomes, and begin creating their goals as an entrepreneur-focused community. The leadership team then chooses to commit to the three-year REV program as they transition out of eReady.
The inaugural cohort includes:
City of Jefferson in Waukesha County
Green County, focusing on Latino Entrepreneurs
City of Amery in Polk County
City of Mineral Point in Iowa County
City of Hillsboro in Vernon County
“These communities are going to be using this framework to achieve their identified goals for supporting rural entrepreneurs,” said Lisa Taylor, UW–Madison Extension Rural Entrepreneurial Venture Specialist. “Very often those goals include increasing the number of businesses in sectors where there’s a need. They can also include creating an environment in which young people who are staying in the community or coming back do so with the notion that entrepreneurship is an opportunity for them.”
The five community leadership teams, which completed the eReady phase in August, are ready to start implementing the REV framework to realize the goals they created over the summer. Olivia Otte, GCDC’s Executive Director commented, “We are very excited to partner with REV for support in addressing needs of Latino and young entrepreneurs in Green County. REV training and mentoring is helping us to enhance entrepreneurial opportunities, respond to our shifting demographics, and strengthen our workforce environment.”
The City of Merrill and Washburn County will also be joining the inaugural cohort in September and October, respectively.
The REV program support team will join each community leadership team for a fall kick-off meeting to provide community-specific data and support the team as they prepare to work toward their chosen goals over the next three years with their REV Community Coach. Also, REV communities will gather during specific stages of the program to receive relevant training and foster peer-to-peer learning.
WI REV Cohort 2 is currently being planned for 2025.
The typical REV community is rural with a population of at least 1,500 but no more than 10,000, which may include an individual city/town/village, a combination of neighboring communities or a school district. Local leadership in a REV community is willing to invest time with their local entrepreneurs and work to establish a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and a diverse, more resilient economy. If you are part of such a community and would like to discuss potential WI REV program participation, please contact Lisa Taylor at [email protected].
Wisconsin REV is led by UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Community Economic Development Program in partnership with Community and Economic Development, Associates (CEDA), Compeer Financial, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), and Energizing Entrepreneurs “e2” framework.
The Monroe Professional Center
Property Type: Building
For Sale or Lease
Property Square Footage: 300 – 4,000 sf [38,700 sf total]
Brief Property Overview: The Monroe Professional Center is a commercial condominium project with 17 separate units, including the Buggyworks Restaurant & Pub. Of the 17, 10 are office spaces. Floor plans for all units can be viewed on the web site www.mpccondos.com.
Land Information: Condominium – 17 units.
Exterior and Lot Features: Downtown Monroe location with convenient access to banks, City Hall, restaurants, historic courthouse and Post Office.
Utilities: All units have separately metered electric and natural gas.
Other Property Information: The project is located 1/2 block from the Monroe downtown square, the Monroe City Hall and the Monroe Post Office.
Green County Small Business Series Ends with Business Pitch Contest
For the second year, Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) and The Bank of New Glarus hosted the Small Business Series & Pitch Contest, a training program for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The event culminated with participants ‘pitching’ their business idea to a group of judges for a chance to win a cash prize.
Beginning April 3rd, 17 aspiring Green County entrepreneurs participated in weekly sessions that included information on developing their business plan, connecting with a mentor, understanding financing and how to market their business. Each session allowed time for entrepreneurs to network within the group, creating valuable connections and support. Participants were also able to connect 1:1 with Nora Roughen-Schmidt, business consultant for the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC). “This series is an economic development driver that empowers participants with education, resources, consulting, and relationships. It is exciting to participate and assist in developing new businesses in Green County.” Roughen-Schmidt said.
Ron Schaaf, President and CEO of The Bank of New Glarus stated, “The Bank of New Glarus is proud to partner with GCDC on this program. The entrepreneurs who attend have many great ideas, and we wish them all the best as they move forward with opening businesses across Green County.”
The Pitch Contest, sponsored by The Bank of New Glarus provided cash prizes to the top three pitches. Judges ranked presentations on problem identification and solution, target market, competition and unique selling position, business viability, and pitch quality.
Eleven (11) Green County entrepreneurs pitched their business, and included:
1st Place Kindred Spirits Meadery (Stephen Ilzenhuiser): custom mead producer
2nd Place Arrow Acres (Susan Anderson): custom woodworking, hobby farm
3rd Place Small Business Owners Coaching (Marechiel Santos-Lang): group and 1:1 coaching for small business owners
Daisy’s Axe Box (presented by Todd & Brenda Coy): an entertainment company providing axe throwing for private parties and community events
Bellebrook Botanicals (Monica Pastrana): wellness support with small batch herbal products
Whole-Hearted Apothecary (Lula Miller): master herbalist, educational speaker and events
Heidi’s Happy Acres (Heidi Kent): specialty produce, pumpkin and sunflower patch, corn maze and family activities.