Economic Development

Extension is happy to assist with providing community or organizational education or facilitation around economic development issues. Examples of such work have included:

  • Facilitating multi-audience collaborative meetings to support community economic development;
  • Facilitating downtown market analysis and revitalization efforts;
  • Providing research-based educational information on broadband;
  • Facilitating first impressions efforts;
  • Tourism support;
  • Educational workshops on customer service, understanding local demographics and market trends;
  • Entrepreneurial support and network development.

There are also a number of recommended organizations and networks to check out:

Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation

https://www.wcedc.org/

WCEDC provides assistance to both private businesses and public sector organizations, in an effort to strengthen the local economy and enhance the quality of life for all the citizens of Waupaca County.

Center for Community & Economic Development

https://economicdevelopment.extension.wisc.edu/

The Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED) is the UW-Extension outreach unit that provides applied research, educational programs, and assistance on community and economic development to individuals, local governments, and community organizations. Current areas of emphasis include:

  • Regional economics
  • Community demographic and market analysis
  • Business district market analysis
  • Local food systems
  • Community marketing and branding
  • Community placemaking
  • Community preparedness
  • Asset-based sustainable development
  • Tourism business development
  • Entrepreneurship development

Small Business Development Center

https://www.uwsp.edu/conted/Pages/SBDC.aspx

One of 12 in Wisconsin, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Stevens Point offers no cost, confidential advising and resources as well as fee based workshops/conferences to both startup and existing businesses throughout nine counties – Adams, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas, Waupaca and Wood.

NEW North

https://www.thenewnorth.com/

The New North brand unites the region both internally and externally around talent development, regional brand development, and business development, signifying the collective economic power behind the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin.

Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access

https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/BroadbandGovernorsTaskForce.aspx

The task force will advise the Governor and Wisconsin State Legislature on broadband actions and policy, including strategies for successfully expanding high speed internet access to every residence, business, and institution in the state; initiatives for digital inclusion; and pathways to unlocking and optimizing the benefits of statewide, affordable access to broadband for all communities in Wisconsin.

Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity

https://wedc.org/rural-prosperity/rural-prosperity-blue-ribbon-commission/

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity seeks to tap local perspectives on long-term, recent and future economic challenges facing the people, communities and businesses that make rural Wisconsin shine—and to turn ideas into action that increases economic activity and improves the quality of life for future generations.

The commission was created by Governor Evers’ Executive Order #65 to gather on-the-ground input from diverse stakeholders throughout the state whose lives and livelihoods are tied to the vitality of their rural communities. As the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are realized, the commission will hold listening sessions to explore opportunities to build more resilient rural communities. From these listening sessions, the commission will develop a plan to reinvigorate the agricultural industry and rural businesses and communities across Wisconsin.

CAP Services Small Business Assistance

https://capservices.org/what-we-do/business/smallbiz/

Technical assistance is available at no charge to low-income individuals starting a business or to businesses committed to creating jobs that will be filled by low-income individuals.

Questions? Contact Amy Ebert, your local Community Development Educator: amy.ebert@wisc.edu.