Community Economic Programs

Welcome to the Community Economic Development Program Weekly Update! This serves as your guide to the latest events, resources, and funding. The CED Weekly update is meant to keep you connected and informed about what’s happening in community economic development and provide information to help better serve Wisconsin communities.

BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Immigration, Employment, and Entrepreneurship: A Legal Symposium for Wisconsin’s Workforce | September 20, 8 am-5 pm (Fitchburg, WI) – The Rural Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Initiative will host a legal symposium for Wisconsin’s workforce at the WI Latino Chamber of Commerce in Fitchburg. This is a professional development event, led by the Law and Entrepreneurship (L&E) Clinic. This symposium will provide insights into enhancing service providers’ understanding of laws, regulations, and practical solutions concerning employment and entrepreneurship for new immigrants, migrant workers, and undocumented workers. The training will cover topics relevant to employers, employees, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.

2024 Food Finance Forum and Expo | September 25-26 (Madison, WI) – Food Finance Forum & Expo for food businesses, buyers and distributers. Join food entrepreneurs and experts from across Wisconsin at this once-a-year, in-person opportunity to learn from panels of food entrepreneurs who have successfully grown their businesses; connect with unique Wisconsin food businesses, buyers, and distributors at this year’s all-new Expo; and experience a behind-the-scenes tour of some of Madison’s most amazing food businesses.

Exploring social entrepreneurship at the Madison Mercantile—Introducing the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities field trip! | October 3, 10 am-3 pm (Madison, MN) – This field trip will provide an in-depth look at the evolution of the Madison Mercantile, a dynamic community-centered space fostering culture, connection and innovation. We’ll learn how the Madison Mercantile has spearheaded a revitalization of the downtown, breathing new life into the economy and weaving a stronger social fabric. We’ll also take a tour through downtown Madison to explore placemaking and collaborative economic development projects that are transforming public and private spaces.

Employee Ownership Webinar | October 24, 9-10 am (Virtual) – Please join the UW Center for Cooperatives for a webinar to learn about the benefits of converting to a cooperative as a business succession plan! This webinar is free, but registration is required.

21st Annual Women’s Business Conference | October 30, 7:30 am-4 pm (Eau Claire, WI) – Attend this phenomenal event featuring respected speakers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries! Designed to inspire and connect you with other empowering women, this event will provide you with the resources you are looking for to start, improve, or expand your business. At this full-day conference, you’ll learn from established members of the business community in Western Wisconsin, talk to business assistance providers, and network with other women in business.

COMMUNITY & PLACEMAKING

2024 WCA Annual Conference | September 22-24 (La Crosse, WI) – The 2024 WCA Annual Conference & Exhibit Hall will be held September 22-24 in La Crosse County at the La Crosse Center. “Wisconsin’s Route 72” is inspired by the iconic Route 66 but with a unique Wisconsin twist. This theme celebrates the rich tapestry of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, each with its own story, culture, and charm. Attendees will embark on a journey, exploring the scenic “Route 72”, fostering a sense of discovery and appreciation for Wisconsin’s rich culture and heritage.

Small Community Forum Mineral Point | September 24, 7:30 am-1 pm (Mineral Point, WI) – Wisconsin has numerous small communities, with over half having populations below 2,500. These diverse communities face unique challenges due to their size. The twelfth annual Small Community Forum offers a platform for residents to collaborate, address shared issues, and access resources. The forums tackle topics like infrastructure, innovation, housing, and workforce development. Civic leaders, business figures, educators, and others are invited, with a $20 fee covering materials and meals.

Small Community Forum Belgium | October 1, 7:30 am-1 pm (Belgium, WI) – Wisconsin has numerous small communities, with over half having populations below 2,500. These diverse communities face unique challenges due to their size. The twelfth annual Small Community Forum offers a platform for residents to collaborate, address shared issues, and access resources. The forums tackle topics like infrastructure, innovation, housing, and workforce development. Civic leaders, business figures, educators, and others are invited, with a $20 fee covering materials and meals.

WTA Annual Convention | October 6-8 (Stevens Point, WI) – Join town officials from around the state as we gather in one place to listen, learn and connect with each other! Our convention offers a wonderful opportunity to network with your peers, learn from experienced educators about the topics that matter most to towns, and become acquainted with state agency staff and other exhibitors that provide the services and products that can make your life easier.

Small Community Forum Adams-Friendship | October 10, 7:30 am-1 pm (Adams-Friendship, WI) – Wisconsin has numerous small communities, with over half having populations below 2,500. These diverse communities face unique challenges due to their size. The twelfth annual Small Community Forum offers a platform for residents to collaborate, address shared issues, and access resources. The forums tackle topics like infrastructure, innovation, housing, and workforce development. Civic leaders, business figures, educators, and others are invited, with a $20 fee covering materials and meals.

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities 126th Annual Fall Conference | October 23-25 (Madison, WI) – The League’s 126th Annual Fall Conference is a place for municipal staff and elected officials to find encouragement in a community of local government enthusiasts, share experiences, and together create the future. Our 2024 conference will uplift stories of excellent community service, inspirational ideas, and practical solutions. We will provide the building blocks to create better organizations. You will walk away inspiring ideas.

ECONOMY

2024 Best Practices Conference | September 25-27 (Eau Claire, WI) – WEDA’s annual Best Practices Conference is our educational forum that seeks to give attendees tactical/practical tools and ideas they can take home and put into practice immediately.

2024 Rural Renewal Symposium | October 8-10 (Ardmore, OK) – This interdisciplinary symposium is organized by the Rural Renewal Initiative at Oklahoma State University. The Symposium provides a unique opportunity to share research and connect with faculty, students, and rural community members from across the U.S. and around the world. The symposium is a place to share the latest discoveries, trends, and approaches to rural renewal.

2024 Poverty Matters Conference | October 9-10 (Sheboygan, WI) – Poverty Matters is Wisconsin’s ONLY statewide conference that serves as a regional platform to raise awareness on issues impacting low-income families and individuals. For over 40 years, this conference has served as a major convening of state and federal agencies, community action agencies, individuals, and stakeholders dedicated to identifying common sense solutions and approaches to address and eliminate poverty.

2024 Wisconsin Economic Summit | October 15-16 (La Crosse, WI) – Each year, WEDC invites its network of economic development partners, its ambassadors, and industry experts to gather, connect, reflect, and learn from each other. This two-day event provides a recap of the economic successes and challenges of the past year, a look at the state of Wisconsin’s economy, and deep dives into trending economic topics that affect Wisconsin.

ENERGY

Climate Fast Forward 2024 | November 14-15 (Rothschild, WI) – The Climate Fast Forward conference, hosted by the Wisconsin Academy, will bring together over 400 stakeholders representing many different sectors and audiences, including climate change policy and planning, climate justice, natural climate solutions, building efficiency, resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and more.

GENERAL

Leveraging Extension and University Engagement: Developing and Implementing Novel Projects Using Transdisciplinary Approaches | September 9, 12-1 pm (Virtual) – You’re invited to a webinar series highlighting opportunities and challenges of transdisciplinary approaches within agricultural research. Presented by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the National Agricultural Library, the seminar series will examine strategies for implementing transdisciplinary approaches, team-building and overcoming challenges to encourage the adoption of and training in transdisciplinary systems.

News & Events

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