Learning From Each Other

Southwest Wisconsin features scenic views from lazy roads that curl through the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. For people living in the rural hills and valleys, though, there was no easy way to get to work, school or appointments, and few options for joint travel to reduce fuel emissions. Elderly and disabled people needed inexpensive transportation options—so did students, employees and even tourists.

Children in low-income communities often miss out on some of the educational opportunities available to those in higher-income areas, and their families often face challenges such as food or housing insecurity. Could high-quality, media-rich learning programs help address these challenges? Were there opportunities to get families more involved in their children’s early education? The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Public Broadcasting Service set out to answer those questions.

Juneau County is a largely rural area in west central Wisconsin with a population of about 27,000. Manufacturing had been a critical contributor to the economy, employing as many as 1,500 people. But three major factories closed in 2000 and 2001, leaving many of their employees with few alternatives. The Juneau County Economic Development Corporation, a public-private partnership, stepped in and launched the Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club of Juneau County in 2002, when the area’s unemployment rate was nearly 14%. The goal was to diversify and strengthen the local economy.

When the COVID-19 pandemic left many people isolated at home, the Door County Fire Chiefs Association joined forces with local organizations to make sure that residents and guests were able to receive the information and non-emergency services they needed. The goal was to serve as a clearinghouse to answer questions, handle requests for help and connect people with sources of assistance. Nearly 30% of Door County residents are over age 65, a group considered among the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.

Cuba City is a thriving agricultural and business community in southwest Wisconsin, and a neighbor to Platteville and Dubuque—but one thing the city of 2,000 had lacked was a place for people to gather downtown, to visit with each other over a cup of coffee, to play cards or to hold community events.

Alliant Energy wants to expand access to solar energy to help reduce its dependence on fossil fuels for generating electricity—but the cost of installing rooftop solar panels is too expensive for many residents, especially those with lower incomes, so the Madison-based utility company decided to choose a site for an array of solar panels to be erected to serve an entire community.