Thrive Rural Wisconsin

Empowering Rural & Tribal Communities

Thrive Rural Wisconsin addresses challenges rural communities raised through the Rural Voices Report that support community driven solutions to economic development challenges across rural Wisconsin and Tribal Nations.  Communities that participate in Thrive Rural Wisconsin receive project management, financial support, and technical assistance to advance local and regional initiatives and connect them to the resources they need to be successful. Further, Thrive Rural Wisconsin provides these critical components:

  • Opportunity to build collaboration between local economic development partners to achieve common goals.
  • Strengthen financial and organizational policies and procedures to accept and report on state & federal funding.

Participating communities are working on a project that advances at least one of the Thrive Rural Wisconsin focus areas:

  • Rural Housing
  • Community Based Economic Development
  • Small Business Development Projects and Programs
  • Regional Collaboration Initiatives Development
  • Organizational Development and Leadership Capacity Building

Cohort 2 communities

Across Wisconsin, these ten communities are advancing a wide range of strategic planning efforts to strengthen local economies, improve quality of life, and support long‑term growth. Collectively, these projects aim to activate vacant or underused spaces, support workforce needs, attract new residents and businesses, and build sustainable economic vitality across their regions.

Image of Thrive Rural cohort 2 communities

Adams County Economic Development Corporation

Adams County is working on a childcare initiative to help address capacity challenges and support the local workforce. The local leadership team will work to streamline community needs, assess resources, and develop a process with key stakeholders that can lead to the development of a childcare facility. 

Shawano County Economic Progress, Inc.

The Village of Wittenberg is working to revitalize their downtown and redevelop upper-story housing. The project includes exploring the merits of a Redevelopment Authority and a redevelopment plan. These efforts will help activate vacant spaces and support long-term economic vitality. 

Gilman Development Foundation

The Village of Gilman and the Gilman School District are partnering to address housing shortages and downtown revitalization. The goal is to develop priorities to expand housing and business opportunities. The project supports long-term goals for population growth and economic development.

Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will advance planning and feasibility for the next phase of its Commercial Zone Master Plan.  The project focuses on development with retail, commercial, and business incubation space. This work will strengthen Tribal enterprises and businesses owned by Tribal members. 

Monroe County Economic Development & Tourism Committee

The Village of Norwalk recognizes the Sparta-Elroy Trail as a significant community asset and seeks to better connect trail users with local economic development. The Village is exploring ways to further develop its downtown to encourage trail users to stop, shop, and dine locally. Achieving this goal will require a thoughtful community engagement process, as well as the identification of resources to support plan development and the creation of conceptual design plans.  

Three Lakes Area Visitors Bureau

Three Lakes is looking to create a unified vision for economic development to address workforce housing, lodging, and community readiness challenges. A two-year planning process focused on data collection, housing strategies, and implementation pathways will establish a foundation for sustainable economic development. 

Artists and Friends

Artists and Friends, Inc. plans to complete a pre-design study for an adaptive reuse of a historic community building in downtown Viroqua. The study will assess building conditions, accessibility, and programming needs and will help prepare Artists and Friends for future capital planning and grow the building as a hub for civic and cultural activity in the region.

 Tourism & Economic Development Corporation for the Oconto Region (TEDCOR)

The City of Gillett seeks to address two interrelated challenges—the shortage of quality, attainable housing and the need for a revitalized, economically vibrant downtown. The proposed Gillett Housing & Downtown Revitalization Initiative is a coordinated effort to prepare sustainable growth, attract new residents and businesses, and strengthen the community’s long-term resilience. 

Vilas County Economic Development Corporation

The Town of Land O’ Lakes is looking to further assess environmental conditions at the site of an abandoned property.  The planning process will identify site remediation and create a unified vision for the site to spur future economic growth.   

Neillsville Improvement Corporation Inc

Neillsville Improvement Corporation is studying the feasibility of connecting a network of recreational trails to outdoor assets to enhance the area’s draw as an outdoor recreation destination and spur economic development within its downtown business district. The needs of the existing business and demands for further enhancements will be assessed to support the implementation of any plans. 

For answers to your questions, contact:

Jim Cleveland
Rural Development Specialist
james.cleveland@wedc.org
608.210.6743

Review the impact of the first cohort of Thrive Rural communities: