Wisconsin's Top Rural Development Initiatives for 2007

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Mineral Point and Reedsburg initiatives take Top Rural Development Initiative honors at CDS-NRDP international conference

Appleton - Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. (WRP) awarded Top Rural Development Initiatives for 2007 at a ceremony in the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton. The awards were presented by WRP president Bonnie Peterson at the opening reception of the joint international conference of the Community Development Society and National Rural Development Partnership.

Two initiatives received Top Initiative rankings at the annual awards program. Award winners were able to network with community leaders from throughout the world who attended the conference.

The Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce Agriculture & Rural Life Committee was recognized for its innovative partnership with high school students to boost local food purchases. Together with the students, the chamber committee created gift baskets of local products to sell as a school fundraiser. Using local products boosted fundraising sales by 64% in the first year and engaged thirteen local producers as well as other local merchants in implementing the program.

The City of Reedsburg's Utility Commission was recognized for creating a Municipal Communications Utility to respond to business, government and residential need for high-speed internet access. Frustrated by the lack of commercial provider interest in serving the community, the city took its own initiative to provide high-speed voice, video and data service. Through its investment in installation and management of the new telecommunications infrastructure, the city has positively impacted economic development, educational opportunities, and public health and safety services.

Click the links at right for more detailed information.

Read more about top initiatives from previous years by visiting our database of profiles.