by GCDC | Sep 24, 2026 | Events
GCDC to Host “Own Your Future” Lunch & Learn for Green County Business Owners
Free workshop on Nov. 5 will help owners build business value and plan for what’s next
MONROE, Wis. — Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) will host Own Your Future: From Successful to Significant, a free Lunch & Learn workshop for business owners, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It will take place in the Bank of New Glarus meeting room, 701 8th St, Monroe, WI 53566. Lunch will be provided.
The workshop is for business owners who want to protect what they’ve built and plan for the future. Nikki Austin, CFP®, CEPA®, a Financial Advisor with Thrivent, will show attendees how to:
- Align their business, personal and financial goals
- Strengthen and accelerate business value, whether they’re planning to grow or preparing for a future transition
- Explore transition options that fit their goals and vision
“Green County has many successful businesses that owners have spent decades building, and what happens to them next matters for our whole community,” said Olivia Otte, Executive Director of GCDC. “Many owners know they should plan ahead but aren’t sure where to start. This workshop gives them practical steps they can use right away, whether a transition is ten years out or right around the corner. Keeping these businesses strong and locally rooted is central to our region’s economic future.”
This is an educational event, and no products will be sold. Space is limited. To RSVP, follow this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/7tsmtfv or call the GCDC office at 608-328-9452.
About Green County Development Corporation
Green County Development Corporation is a nonprofit regional economic development organization based in Monroe, Wisconsin. GCDC works with businesses, communities and partners across Green County to support business growth and retention, workforce development, and long-term economic vitality. Learn more at greencountydevelopment.com.
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by GCDC | Sep 24, 2026 | Events
GCDC Fall Breakfast to Tackle Aging Population and Wealth Transfer Shaping Green County’s Future
### Panel featuring the Community Foundation (CFSW) and Forward Analytics will explore how local communities can prepare for two major demographic and economic shifts happening at once
Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) will host its Fall Breakfast on Thursday, October 15, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at Edelweiss Chalet Country Club in New Glarus, bringing together regional experts for a fast-paced panel discussion on two forces already reshaping Green County: an aging population and a historic transfer of generational wealth.
The panel will feature a representative from the Community Foundation (CFSW) and a representative from Forward Analytics, the research arm of the Wisconsin Counties Association, moderated by GCDC Executive Director Olivia Otte. Rather than revisiting well-known demographic trends, the conversation is designed to move past the headlines — examining where wealth is headed as it changes hands, which local sectors will feel the age shift first, and what communities that are already adapting well are doing differently.
“Most people in this room already know our population is aging, we’re not here to repeat that,” said Otte. “We’re here because that shift and a massive transfer of wealth are happening on the same timeline, and our community needs a plan for both. This breakfast is about leaving with real ideas and tangible steps forward.”
Following the panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions directly, with the event closing by 9:30 a.m.
The GCDC Fall Breakfast will take place Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at Edelweiss Chalet Country Club, W4764 Edelweiss Rd, New Glarus, WI 53574. The event is open to the public. Those interested in attending can RSVP by going to this link – https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/fvkg5he – or by calling the office at 608-328-9452.
**About Forward Analytics**
Forward Analytics is a Wisconsin-based research organization that provides state and local policymakers with nonpartisan analysis of issues affecting the state. The mission of Forward Analytics is to use the best data available to highlight challenges facing the state, and to assist policymakers in understanding that data so they can make informed policy decisions.
**About the Community Foundation (CFSW)**
The Community Foundation is a repository for more than 900 charitable funds worth more than $90 million. Each of these funds was created by donors to enhance the quality of life in Southern Wisconsin. The Community Foundation services these funds by managing the investment, encouraging and supporting additions, overseeing the disbursement of grants and scholarships, and managing the requisite government paperwork.
**About Green County Development Corporation**
Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) is a regional economic development organization based in Monroe, Wisconsin, dedicated to building a stronger, more prepared Green County through housing, workforce, and community development initiatives. Learn more at greencountydevelopment.com.
Download Fall Breakfast Flyer
by GCDC | Sep 1, 2026 | Programs
Welcome Home Green County Grant Program
Green County Development Corporation Launches Welcome Home Green County, a $10,000 Grant Program for First-Time Homebuyers
New program pairs down payment assistance with volunteer service to help newcomers put down roots in Green County
MONROE, Wis. — Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) today announced the launch of Welcome Home Green County, a first-time homebuyer program that provides a $10,000 grant toward the purchase or construction of a home in Green County in exchange for volunteer service in the community.
“Green County is a place of opportunity, where you are a part of something bigger than yourself and your work matters,” said Olivia Otte, Executive Director of GCDC. “Welcome Home Green County was built to help people turn that opportunity into a home, and to help them get plugged into the community from day one.”
Under the program, eligible first-time homebuyers receive a $10,000 grant at closing, secured by a subordinate mortgage on the property. In exchange, recipients complete 100 hours of volunteer service over five years, 20 hours per year, with an approved Green County nonprofit organization. After five years of continuous ownership and completion of the volunteer requirement, the grant is fully forgiven and the lien is released. If a recipient sells the home within five years, the grant is repaid on a prorated basis.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, be a first-time homebuyer, purchase or build an owner-occupied home in Green County (or in a municipality partially located in Green County), contribute at least $5,000 in personal funds toward the purchase, and have a total household income of at least $55,000 per year. Applicants must also receive a mortgage prequalification or preapproval from The Bank of New Glarus and pass a background check.
Welcome Home Green County is made possible through a $690,000 investment from Colony Brands Foundation, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), Klondike Cheese Company, The Bank of New Glarus, and Grandé.
“The Welcome Home initiative represents a major ‘win win.’ First time home buyers get meaningful financial backing while establishing roots in Green County. This is exactly the type of high impact community program the Colony Brands Foundation is looking to help drive and support.” – John Baumann, President of Colony Brands Foundation.
Prospective applicants can find out if they may be eligible by completing a short prequalification questionnaire at greencountydevelopment.com. Applicants who prequalify will receive the full application and a step-by-step guide to the closing and volunteer process.
For more information about Welcome Home Green County, or to learn about GCDC’s other economic and community development initiatives, visit greencountydevelopment.com or contact GCDC at gcdc@greencountydevelopment.com or 608-328-9452.
About Green County Development Corporation
Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) is a nonprofit regional economic development organization based in Monroe, Wisconsin, dedicated to growing Green County’s economy and communities. GCDC leads initiatives spanning housing development, broadband and digital equity, workforce development, and business retention and expansion, in partnership with municipalities, private investors, and community organizations across Green County.
by GCDC | Jun 4, 2026 | News
The Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) has successfully completed a $60,000 grant awarded through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), delivering both a comprehensive economic study and direct planning assistance to local dairy farms.
A Deeper Look at the Industry
In partnership with UW-Extension, GCDC commissioned the Green County Dairy Cluster Economic Analysis & Action Plan — a thorough examination of the dairy industry’s current state and long-term outlook in Green County. The study combined interviews with 13 stakeholders across the dairy cluster — including farmers, processors, bankers, and researchers — with robust quantitative data analysis.
The findings underscore just how vital dairy is to the local economy. Dairy farms and processing operations together support 3,448 jobs and generate over $2.1 billion in industry revenues, accounting for more than 35% of the county’s total economic output. Green County’s cheese manufacturing sector holds a location quotient of 9.68 — nearly ten times the national concentration — reflecting a true regional competitive advantage.
The study also identified key challenges ahead, including an aging workforce, succession planning gaps, and the need for greater entrepreneurship and market diversification. The resulting action plan lays out six strategies to address these issues: supporting farmers, strengthening marketing and market opportunities, expanding workforce development, fostering industry networking, managing biowaste, and encouraging entrepreneurship and business diversification.
Direct Support for Local Farms
Beyond the research, $40,000 of the grant was put directly to work. Eight local dairy farms each received $5,000 in grant funding to access professional consulting services for succession planning, business continuity, financial modeling, and long-term operational strategy — exactly the kind of individualized, expert guidance that can make the difference between a farm that thrives across generations and one that doesn’t make it to the next.
The impact was felt immediately by participating producers.
“The Dairy Transition and Planning Grant helped our farm get the planning assistance we needed to set up the next generation for success, and
continue our tradition of dairy farming in Green County.”
— Jordan Reimer, Reimer Farms
Looking Ahead
This grant initiative is part of GCDC’s broader commitment to keeping Green County’s dairy industry strong and competitive for decades to come.
“The long-term strength of Green County’s dairy industry depends on proactive planning. This program is designed to give producers the tools
and expertise they need to navigate transitions, reduce risk, and remain competitive for generations to come.”
— Olivia Otte, Executive Director, GCDC
With the analysis complete and planning assistance delivered, GCDC is now positioned to move forward on the action plan’s broader strategies — from establishing a Green County Dairy Growth coalition to launching entrepreneurship programs and exploring new market opportunities for local producers.
by GCDC | Apr 7, 2026 | Programs
The Green County Dairy Planning Transition Program, a grant offered by Green County Development Corporation, provides up to $5,000 in technical assistance to dairy farmers for succession planning, transitional planning, business continuity, and long-term stability. Funded through a Wisconsin DATCP Export Expansion Grant, support is delivered through paid professional consulting services. Eligible activities include transition planning, financial modeling, and operational strategies, while capital expenses are not covered. A limited number of farms (8–12) will be accepted on a rolling, first-come basis. Applications open April 10, 2026, and will remain available until all funds are committed, so early application is encouraged. Email completed applications to gcdc@greencountydevelopment.com, or call 608-328-9452 for more information.
Green County Dairy Planning Transition Program Guidelines
Green County Dairy Transition Assistance Program Intake Form
