by GCDC | May 8, 2026 | News
The Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) invites the community to attend an open house celebrating the completion of this year’s Home Construction Cooperative student-built home.
The event will be held on Monday, May 11th from 4-6pm at the house, 1502 15th Street, Monroe. Guests are welcome to drop in at any time to tour the home, see the craftsmanship firsthand, and recognize the dedication and hard work of local students who brought the project to life. It’s also a great opportunity to thank the many trades professionals, educators, and sponsors who contribute their time, expertise, and resources to make the program possible and help elevate the trades in Green County.
The Home Construction Cooperative program is a hands-on educational initiative that gives high school students real-world experience in the skilled trades. Under the guidance of experienced instructors and local trades professionals, students participate in every phase of residential construction, from framing and electrical to finishing work, gaining valuable skills that prepare them for careers in construction and related industries.
“This project is a testament to the talent and commitment of the students, as well as the strong support from our local trades community,” said Olivia Otte, Executive Director of GCDC. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and highlight the importance of workforce development in the skilled trades.”
The open house offers a unique chance to see the next generation of skilled workers in action and to support a program that continues to make a lasting impact on both students and the local housing market.
For more information, please contact GCDC at gcdc@greencountydevelopment.com or call 608-328-9452.
by GCDC | May 8, 2026 | Events
The Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) successfully hosted its inaugural Developers Day on Wednesday, May 6th, 2026, drawing approximately 60 developers, investors, and community stakeholders to Monroe for an afternoon of presentations, site tours, and networking. The event was designed to spotlight the growing array of development opportunities available across Green County’s residential and commercial sectors.
The afternoon program began at the Monroe Arts Center, where Olivia Otte, Executive Director of Green County Development Corporation, delivered a comprehensive presentation on available sites and opportunities in Green County. Otte highlighted the county’s competitive advantages, including its strategic location, workforce, and the range of shovel-ready and emerging development parcels across the county.
“We were pleased to welcome so many developers and investors to Green County for this event,” said Otte. “Our goal was to give people a better sense of available opportunities and to start building relationships that we hope will lead to future projects. We look forward to continuing those conversations.”
Following the presentation, attendees participated in a guided Monroe Site Tour, visiting key development parcels and existing commercial and industrial properties throughout the city. The tour gave developers a firsthand look at the scale, accessibility, and potential of available sites.
The event concluded with a networking reception at Spilled Grapes Wine Bar providing an opportunity for attendees to connect with local officials, GCDC staff, and fellow developers in an informal setting. Developers Day was held in conjunction with the Green County Housing Summit and was sponsored by The Bank of New Glarus.
About Green County Development Corporation
The Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) is an economic development organization serving Green County, Wisconsin. GCDC works to attract, retain, and grow businesses and investment across the county’s communities, partnering with local governments, businesses, and regional organizations to create jobs and strengthen the local economy.
by GCDC | May 8, 2026 | Events
This past week, the Green County Healthy Community Coalition (GCHCC) hosted our second Green County Housing Summit, designed to tackle one of our top priorities, housing.
As part of our current Community Health Improvement Plan, the Green County Healthy Community Coalition has been working to respond to local housing needs. Recent findings from the 2024 Community Health Assessment show that more than half of all survey respondents identified affordable housing as the top community need.
One of the coalition’s key initiatives was hosting the Green County Housing Summit, which brought together all different sectors of our community to spark conversation, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions. Organizers say the goal was to create a space to help the community better understand both our housing strengths and gaps, and to learn about innovative affordable housing solutions. This event would not have been possible without our sponsors: The Bank of New Glarus, SSM Health, and Colony Brands.
This year’s keynote speaker, David Zach, a Monroe native and futurist, encouraged attendees to think beyond immediate concerns and consider what housing in Green County could look like in the years ahead. His presentation challenged the community to become “20% more curious.” Zach pushed attendees to think innovatively and introduced the idea of building dream neighborhoods rather than dream homes.
In addition to the keynote address, the morning’s agenda featured insights on affordable housing solutions, including a case-study panel discussion with Mariah Goode and Bill Oemichen, who shared their experiences with Community Land Trusts and Housing Cooperatives. The conversation then shifted to a local expert panel featuring Olivia Otte, Jance Marty, and Rodger Berg that shared an analysis of the Green County housing landscape
Green County Healthy Community Coalition Organizers hope the summit will serve as a catalyst for continued collaboration. By bringing people together and focusing on both present needs and future possibilities, Green County is taking an important step toward building a more affordable and inclusive housing landscape. If you are interested in this initiative and want to get involved, please contact Rachel Meier (Rachel.Meier@ssmhealth.com).
by GCDC | Jan 21, 2026 | Events
The Small Business Development Center will be hosting a series of virtual consulting sessions. Registration is required
The registration link : https://www.cognitoforms.com/UniversitiesOfWisconsinOfficeOfBusinessAndEntrepreneurshipOBE/AskMeAboutAI
Join the SW Wisconsin SBDC for free individualized 1:1 consulting sessions focused on using artificial intelligence in your business. These sessions provide an opportunity to ask questions, explore practical applications of AI, and learn how to incorporate AI tools into your day-to-day work.
Sessions will be offered on February 5, 12, and 19. Each session is 20 minutes and will be held virtually via Zoom. Entrepreneurs at all skill and experience levels are welcome.
Available time windows:
- 8:00 AM–10:00 AM
- 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–6:00 PM
To participate, individuals must submit a consulting request in advance using the form linked below:
https://forms.zohopublic.com/businessentrepreneurship/form/ElectronicRequestforConsultingeRFC/formperma/HBo_B2S1YMxgB3EnQ1C_PR_VtfN1R3rJMMJoA1DSJkprimary_center=SW%20Outreach
by GCDC | Dec 4, 2025 | News
Green County area high school students had the opportunity this month to work on their own business plan ideas and enter a competition to win startup funds to help turn those plans into reality. The awards night was held on Wednesday, December 3rd, at Monroe High School.
Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) hosted the contest for students in partnership with local school district business teachers and the Monroe School District LAUNCH program. The business startup funds were made possible through a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Small Business Development Grant awarded to GCDC. The grant was intended to support and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of youth in Green County.
Sixteen student business plans were submitted for the competition, with prize awards ranging from $2,500 to $250 per student to help them get their businesses off the ground. A total of $20,200 was awarded this year.
A series of learning and planning events were held in the weeks leading up to the competition. The first event featured a presentation by the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center, offering guidance on understanding customers and writing a business plan. The second event included three local businesspeople serving as mentors, listening to student plans, providing feedback, and helping students fine-tune their final submissions. Those same mentors then acted as judges to determine the final awards.
“We had a great variety of submitted business plans in the contest, such as a mobile mechanic service, drone photography, and cattle genetics. This was a strong indication of the creativity, entrepreneurial mindset, and potential of the youth in Green County,” said Olivia Otte, Executive Director of GCDC.
“At GCDC, we’re passionate about supporting small businesses and encouraging entrepreneurs to chase their goals,” said Otte. “With our Elevate Entrepreneurs program, we’re excited to expand our support for both new and established businesses in more meaningful, long-term ways.”
All participating students
Top awardees
