Filter: Community Development

WEDC is assisting Eau Claire County in launching a pilot program to test SpaceX’s Starlink, a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites that can provide high-speed internet in rural areas where broadband is limited or not available.

Wisconsin Main Street hosted its first Downtown Pitch Contest in June, inviting entrepreneurs from more than 100 Main Street and Connect Communities districts to share ideas for business concepts or expansions to meet the needs of local customers, enhance their district, and support and sustain local businesses.

With its good schools, low crime rates and natural wonders, Wisconsin is a family-friendly place—but still, only a handful of downtowns have what it takes to entertain children and their parents for an afternoon.

Wisconsin is blessed with historic buildings, districts and communities. Many communities have embraced this history and made a concerted effort to preserve these irreplaceable treasures, resulting in beautiful historic commercial districts and residential neighborhoods.

As Main Street staff members, we are often asked to recommend Wisconsin destinations that are unique, fun and exciting.

Wisconsin has many destinations with perfect amenities for a “girls’ getaway” weekend—but only a few that truly offer the whole package.

Wisconsin TeleLift founders Scott Williams and his wife, Greta, were working with a nonprofit in Africa doing conservation work in 2014 when they began using drones to help protect wildlife from poachers.

This isn’t the kind of shop class where you end up with a bookcase that Mom treasures. In these classes, students use high-tech equipment to make anything from robots to prototypes of the next big idea.

Each year, WEDC honors the hard work, dedication and countless hours that go into revitalizing and promoting Wisconsin’s Main Streets and downtowns. Wisconsin Main Street Program leaders and volunteers from across the state came together virtually through dozens of socially distanced “watch parties” on April 21 for the annual Wisconsin Main Street Awards, which celebrate success stories in business and community development, historic preservation and downtown revitalization.

Soon, children may once again be learning at the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Wyoming Valley School while their parents attend concerts and people of all ages take part in arts classes, exhibits and more.

May is Historic Preservation Month, so it is fitting that this issue of INtersections highlight some of the individuals around the state who have undertaken impactful local renovations of historic downtown properties. Investment in ongoing maintenance and periodic renovation or restoration of older or historic buildings is a key elements of downtown revitalization.

Farmers markets are important to communities in many ways. They are a critical component in rebuilding local food economies. They provide a cost-effective, retail sales opportunity for local food producers, and often for artisan businesses as well. And they are a beloved social gathering place for many Wisconsinites.