Wendy Flanagan Joins GCDC as Project Manager
Wendy Flanagan, Project Manger
Empowering Community Health
Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) is pleased to announce the start of an exciting statewide project and partnership with the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, the Wisconsin Community Health Empowerment Fund, and four United Way organizations. This project is one of 66 projects supported by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin (AHW) Endowment.
Empowering Community Health is a unique and exciting community health Learning Collaborative that will advance avenues and possibilities for health equity, access to nutrition for families with young children and the building of innovative long standing community health resource infrastructure in four primarily rural communities throughout Wisconsin – Green, Fond du Lac, La Crosse, and Marshfield service areas.
The four rural communities are guided by innovative local United Way led teams with partners from a variety of sectors including business, health system, government, and philanthropy with the goal of improving nutrition access to over 350 families vulnerable to poverty.
The Empowering Community Health Project is part of a portfolio of projects that GCDC participates in to advance community health, economic prosperity, and the greater engagement of business in health. GCDC is honored to be a part of this important work and looks forward to sharing its learning throughout Green County, with the state of Wisconsin and with other national partners. Business engagement = better health!
https://ahwendowment.org/AHW/Public-and-Community-Health-Improvement/00005190.htm
To read more about the all of the awarded projects, click here: https://blog.ahwendowment.org/2025-seed-awards
GCDC Annual Business Awards
2024 Business of the Year Awards
Awards will be given in these categories:
- Outstanding Business of the Year
- Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
- Leadership Legacy Award
Eligible Businesses:
Qualifying companies must be located in Green County and can be manufacturing, distribution, construction, service, retail and any other exceptional business worth noting!
Companies may nominate themselves.
Guidelines:
Nominations must be submitted by March 2, 2025. They may be submitted electronically at GCDC Business Awards Nomination Application
The honorees will be announced and recognized at
GCDC’s Annual Business & Awards event at Turner Hall on March 20, 2025.
Submit a Nomination
*Nominate via link or form below
Green County Receives $2M in State Funds for Trades Center
Monroe – Green County will see increased workforce development in skilled trades with a $2M grant awarded to Green County Development Corporation (GCDC), and a partnership with Monroe High School.
GCDC will work with the School District of Monroe to expand the current plans for the new Monroe High School trades area to help address workforce skills challenges in Green County. The center will create an environment that fosters hands-on learning, cultivating essential skills and knowledge necessary for success in high-demand industries.
“This trade center is an innovative solution to pressing community challenges throughout the county, specifically in relation to skilled metal, construction, and automotive workers. While this facility will be housed in Monroe High School, we are working to ensure that it is accessible to all Green County students and our industry partners. Through this collaboration, we envision a comprehensive strategy that combines educational excellence with economic development to create a thriving and sustainable future for Green County” stated GCDC’s Executive Director Olivia Otte.
Monroe High School Principal, Jeriamy Jackson had this to say about the funds, “We are very excited to hear the news of this grant approval! We have been working hard to design and build spaces within the new Monroe High School that house our metals manufacturing, welding, automotive and construction trades programs and this grant will help to improve these spaces and give our students even better opportunities. This increased space allows us to develop even more hands-on, real-world experiences to spark student interest and increase student skill levels to meet industry standards.”
GCDC was one of 50 Non-State Grant Program projects awarded and will receive $2M to support a trades center to be housed in the new Monroe High School. These grants are targeted at bolstering critical infrastructure and services, including economic and workforce development.
“I was glad to launch the Non-State Grant Program last year because an investment in local capital projects like these is an investment in local jobs and economies and improving public services and the quality of life for Wisconsinites statewide. I’m incredibly excited about these projects and the investments we’re making in communities in every corner of Wisconsin—this is great news for our state,” said Gov. Evers.
GCDC is a non-profit public/private partnership organization fostering economic growth that maintains the quality of life that makes Green County Wisconsin a great place to live and work. For more information on this and other projects of GCDC, please contact them at [email protected], call 608-328-9452 or visit their website at www.greencountydevelopment.com
State grant recipients can be found at: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/3babcdd
GCDC’s Home Construction Cooperative Recieves International Recognition
Green County Development Corporation Receives 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award from the International Economic Development Council
IEDC’s annual Excellence Awards honor the economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the profession
[August 29, 2024] [Monroe WI] – Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was bestowed specifically for the organization’s work in the Public/Private Partnership for the Home Construction Cooperative. GCDC will be acknowledged and honored at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference in Denver, CO, September 15-18.
“Green County Development Corporation is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with its Home Construction Cooperative program. This award highlights GCDC’s commitment to its community and demonstrates the transformative impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO, “It is with great pride that IEDC presents this award to Green County Development Corporation, celebrating their leadership and innovation in the field of economic development.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce this year’s award winners. These exceptional projects showcase remarkable dedication and ingenuity within the field,” said Kevin Kramer, Chair of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee. “GCDC’s contributions will leave a lasting impact and demonstrate its commitment to creating positive change for its residents.”
Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.
“The Home Construction Cooperative has been a phenomenal example of what can happen when a community comes together to solve problems. We are proud to accept this award and want to recognize SSM Health Monroe, the School District of Monroe Launch program, and everyone that has partnered with us to make this program a success.” said Olivia Otte, GCDC Executive Director. “We look forward to continuing this program into the 2024/2025 school year with a new build on a long vacant lot transferred to GCDC from the city of Monroe.”
Monticello Receives AARP Community Challenge Grant
Monticello Selected as a 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!
The village of Monticello, along with the Monticello Chamber of Commerce, Green County Development Corporation (GCDC), and the Green County Leaders are thrilled to announce that Monticello has been selected to receive a 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant. Monticello was one of only 343 grantees selected (out of 3,300+ applications!) from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At the request of the village, a 2023/2024 Green County Leaders group provided a first impressions report along with detailed recommendations for community improvements to enhance downtown foot traffic. This report provided support for the application to AARP for the Community Challenge Grant which was awarded $13,700 to Monticello.
With this quick-action grant and additional funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, Monticello will be able to increase pedestrian safety by improving walkable areas, creating vibrant pedestrian infrastructure and engaging community members. The grant award will provide funding for benches, signage and landscaping that will be installed along key areas of the community and recreational trails to direct people through downtown Monticello.
“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected us for this investment to make Monticello more livable for residents of all ages,” stated GCDC executive director Olivia Otte. “AARP is a nationwide leader in making communities more livable and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our area.”
This is all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets, affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.
To learn more about the projects being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation, including all 343 granted projects this year, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. An interactive map of current and past AARP Community Challenge projects and AARP’s Livable Communities work can be viewed at aarp.org/livable.
For questions or comments regarding the project, please contact GCDC at 608-328-9452, the Monticello Chamber at [email protected], or the Village of Monticello at 608-938-4383 or [email protected].