by GCDC | Jan 23, 2023 | News & Events
Executive Leadership Breakfast Is March 9
SWWRPC Executive Director, Troy Maggied to speak on Leadership in Changing Times
MONROE – Green County is like many rural communities in the nation. Populations are declining, housing options are limited, and labor shortages are apparent. In order to maintain the quality of life small towns appreciate, challenges that threaten that must be addressed.
On Wednesday, March 9, Troy Maggied from the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWWRPC) will share rural trends and best practices for moving forward positively. He will specifically talk about ways to collaborate with one another to form a stronger county overall.
Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) is hosting the event as a springboard for building collaborative efforts to address these problems longer term. As a non-profit, GCDC is the bridge between public and private partnerships aimed to serve our county’s economic development efforts.
The Executive Leadership Breakfast will be at Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th Street, Monroe. Doors open at 7:30; the breakfast buffet begins at 7:45 a.m. Maggied’s talk will begin at 8 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 8:30 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to come with questions and ideas.
The event is free, but pre-registration is requested by Wednesday, March 1. Register at GCDCBreakfast2023.eventbrite.com, by emailing [email protected] or calling at 608-328-9452.
by GCDC | Nov 21, 2022 | News & Events
Lynn Markham, Land Use Specialist speaks to Green County community leaders about EV charging stations
Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) hosted an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Summit in partnership with Extension Green County. The event was held at the historic Green County Courthouse in Monroe on November 16.
The event was held to address the need for electric vehicle charging stations in our communities. Speakers included Lynn Markham, Shoreland and Land Use Specialist with the Center for Land Use Education at UW-Stevens Point, Sherrie Gruder with Energy on Wisconsin, and Jason Price with Alliant Energy.
Community leaders, Green County Board Members, and City of Monroe Council Members were in attendance to learn about electric vehicles, charging station needs, and implications for positive economic development in Green County communities. Partnership planning and action steps were discussed.
If you are interested in participating in future conversations and being a part of the planning, please contact GCDC at [email protected] or (608) 328-9452.
GCDC was formed to bring professional economic development expertise to its member communities to create a competitive advantage for job creation and new investments. The organization is building the economic future of Green County communities and businesses through public-private partnerships. For more information, visit GCDC online at www.greencountyedc.com, or contact the GCDC office at (608) 328-9452 or email [email protected].
by GCDC | Nov 14, 2022 | News & Events
The Green County Childcare Initiative has been selected to receive the 2021 Wisconsin Top Rural Development Initiative award. One of three awards presented in 2021 by Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc., the presentation will be made at a local ceremony in early fall.
The Initiative is actively addressing an issue that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Green County is considered a childcare desert, with one childcare spot for every three young children. Lack of quality daycare access negatively impacts parental employment and overall economic growth. A collaboration of many partners was formed, including the Green County Development Corporation, United Way of Green County, Southwest Community Action Program, Blackhawk Technical College, MultiCultural Outreach Program, Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, Small Business Development Center, Extension Green County, Community Coordinated Childcare, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, Green County Childcare Network, Avenues Counseling, and Department of Children and Families. Several programs were initiated to strengthen existing childcare businesses and help entrepreneurs start their own daycare businesses.
A free eight-week virtual Childcare Boot Camp was developed to address all aspects of running a childcare business, and is provided in English and Spanish. Safety Saturday classes provide education needed for a worker in a childcare facility. A program was established that pairs mental health professionals with childcare providers to help meet the varied needs of children served. Monthly parent workshops provide opportunities for strengthening collaborative relationships and offer tools related to early childhood social, emotional and mental well-being.
“Wisconsin Rural Partners (WRP) applauds the Green County Childcare Initiative as an outstanding example of the many local efforts across the state that improve the lives of citizens in rural Wisconsin,” said Sandy Decker, WRP president. “This is an excellent collaborative model for small rural Wisconsin communities.”
A second project receiving recognition as a 2021 Top Rural Development Initiative is the Cuba City Presidential Plaza. New landscaping, seating, ADA-compliant walkways, free Wi-Fi, outdoor sound system, games, and a unique 3D interactive ground mural of the Mississippi River were included in the project, accomplished without the use of city funds. The Plaza engages residents of all ages. Future events and activities are planned to increase downtown business traffic and draw visitors to Main Street.
The Cheq Bay Renewables Community Solar Project is the third 2021 Top Rural Development Initiative receiving recognition. Five local government entities collaborated, leveraging combined funding to increase the scale of the solar project, with associated cost savings. These savings are used for other local municipal services. Project impacts include ongoing intergovernmental cooperation, stewardship of the environment through the use of renewable energy, and introduction of new technology to communities with installations throughout the county.
Wisconsin Rural Partners (WRP) is the state’s federally-designated rural development council. Committed to improving the quality of life in rural Wisconsin, WRP is a non-partisan forum for identifying, discussing, and addressing rural issues. Through collaborations with a wide array of partners, including local, county, state, tribal, and federal governments, as well as for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, and rural citizens, WRP fosters and promotes locally-based solutions to rural needs and issues.
This is the twenty-first year that WRP has recognized Wisconsin’s Top Rural Development Initiatives. “The program is designed to identify, highlight, and share innovative models, practices and programs that have a positive impact on rural Wisconsin communities,” said Errin Welty, WRP past-president. “WRP created the program to provide a mechanism for rural communities to learn from each other and we are pleased to report that many of the award winners are still actively operating in their communities.”
Additional information about Wisconsin Rural Partners and the Top Rural Development Initiatives can be found at www.wiruralpartners.org.
by GCDC | Nov 9, 2022 | News & Events
The town of Albany is getting a new 50-megawatt solar farm as part of Alliant Energy’s Clean Energy Blueprint. The project will positively impact the environment and generate enough energy to power around 13,000 homes. The project is expected to be complete and operational by the end of 2023.
For full details follow this link: Albany Solar Project
by GCDC | Oct 21, 2022 | News & Events
Keynote Speaker Todd Kuckkahn presenting at the GCDC Annual Recognition Dinner.
Keynote speaker Todd Kuckkahn shared memories of his time in Monroe as the boys basketball coach, and provided insights about competition versus collaboration and partnership. Communication being the key to building momentum and getting things done. He left the crowd with a commitment from each attendee to perform one act of kindness a day, inspiring connection through doing.
by GCDC | Oct 21, 2022 | News & Events
Bob Erb, President & CEO of Colony Brands accepts the Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award from Olivia Otte, GCDC Exective Director
Owners Chad Boeck & Gilbert Moore accept the Outstanding Small Business of the Year Award from GCDC Executive Director, Olivia Otte
David Parr owner of Parrfection Produce accepts the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award from Olivia Otte, Executive Director of GCDC
SSM Health Monroe President Jane Curran-Meuli accepts the award for Outstanding Large Business of the Year from GCDC Executive Director Olivia Otte
