Time

Topic & Session

Speaker(s)

8:15 am

9:30 am Jefferson County Welcomes Onego Bio: Understanding the Selection Process of the Site

10:00 am Innovative Use of State Programs

Panelists include:

Greg Grohman, Grant Writer, Waupaca City/School District/Chamber
Greg Grohman is a shared grant writer for the City of Waupaca, School District of Waupaca, and Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce. Since 2020, he has written proposals that have generated over $11m in value for the greater Waupaca area. He is proud to be part of a fantastic team that is committed to growing Waupaca’s reputation as a vibrant, innovative rural community.

Larkin Breckel, Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator, Vernon County
Larkin Breckel is the Vernon County Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator, where her role includes working to strengthen business and entrepreneurial opportunities, supporting community and workforce development, and promoting the incredible place that is Vernon County. Larkin has worked with small businesses and startups in her community, as well as for the Viroqua Chamber, before joining the County. She enjoys her role as a “resource matchmaker,” connecting business owners and entrepreneurs with valuable resources and support. In her spare time she enjoys doing anything outdoors with her family, and pitching friends and family across the world on why they should come visit her in Viroqua, WI.

Jason Scott, WEDC Regional Director & Brownfields Specialist

Jason Scott is a Regional Economic Development Director at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. He is a regional representative for WEDC and provides financial and technical support to communities, businesses, consultants and local economic development organizations on a regional basis. Previously, Jason supervised the administration of Community Development Block Grant and Brownfield Programs under the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

11:15 am Boost Fort Atkinson: A Challenge for Local Communities

Dr. Choton Basu, Professor, UW Whitewater, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Innovator 

Dr. Choton Basu is a professor of Information Technology and Supply Chain Management at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a recognized leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. A Growth Wheel and Wendy Kennedy-certified business coach, he mentors startups at the Whitewater University Innovation Center. He has been instrumental in launching initiatives that blend technology with social entrepreneurship. His work with Enactus, including Project Aadya, has empowered women in India to provide vision screenings in rural areas, addressing preventable blindness while fostering economic independence.

With a background in global business transformation, Dr. Basu has co-founded ventures like Strive, a mobile app enhancing community engagement, and has contributed to research on business process reengineering. Inducted into the Enactus USA Sam Walton Fellow Hall of Fame, he is passionate about using technology and entrepreneurship to drive meaningful community change.

Rose Mansavage, Winner of Storefront Pitch Competition

Rose Mansavage is a local entrepreneur and was just named co-winner of our Storefront Pitch Competition. Rose will be opening Tidy Tails Grooming Salon in Fort Atkinson's Main Street and is excited to provide insight into being a participant in our program.

Shauna Wessely, Executive Director, Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce

Shauna Wessely is an experienced educator and leader currently serving as the Executive Director of the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce since September 2022. As the Co-Founder and Governance Committee Head of Project Maria, a non-profit organization established in 2016 to support individuals battling eating disorders, Shauna demonstrates a commitment to social advocacy. Shauna's prior experience includes a 15-year tenure as a high school teacher in the School District of Milton, where roles encompassed Spanish and English instruction, reading intervention, and various leadership positions. Educational qualifications include a Master of Arts in Mass Communication/Media Studies and a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Early career experiences ranged from fast food service to roles in educational administration and healthcare.

1:00 pm Community Visioning in East Central Wisconsin: A Case Study 

Melissa Kraemer-Badtke, Executive Director of ECWRPC

Melissa has been with ECWRPC since 2003. In 2009, Melissa worked in partnership with Wisconsin Department of Transportation to pilot the first Regional Safe Routes to School Program in Wisconsin. She coordinates all aspects and activities of the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.

Noah Wiedenfeld, New Richmond City Administrator

Noah Wiedenfeld has served the community of New Richmond, WI for the past ten years, and currently serves as its City Administrator. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a master's degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Noah is an alumnus of the prestigious White House Internship Program. He is especially excited to attend the 2025 Wisconsin Rural Summit in Fort Atkinson, as he grew up just minutes away in neighboring Lake Mills and always enjoys returning to his roots in Jefferson County.

Melissa Hunt, President & CEO, Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA)

Melissa Hunt was named the President & CEO of WEDA in April 2025, bringing nearly two decades of experience assisting communities with crafting and implementing effective economic development strategies. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Hunt collaborates with regional and state organizations, community leaders, business owners, and key stakeholders as she guides visioning, data analysis, master planning, and studies that successfully lead to and support opportunities for growth and development. She is a certified economic developer (CEcD) and economic development finance professional (EDFP), as well as Wisconsin Rural Partners’ newest board member, she is an active board member for the WDAC and the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA). She holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional studies from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In addition to her dedication to her profession, Hunt is extremely involved in her community. Hunt is a member of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Alumni Board and is LGBTQA+ liaison to alumni and the campus, is on the New Harvest Foundation Board in Dane County, chairs the Girl Scouts of Badgerland Wisconsin Properties Committee, and is president of the Middleton School District Parent Teacher Organization.

Chris Silewski, Landscape Architect, Ayres Associates

2:00 pm Collaborative Leadership for Economic Growth: Creating the Greater Dunn County Director of Economic Development Position

Adam Accola, Director of Economic Development, Dunn Economic Development

Adam Accola is the Director of Economic Development for Greater Dunn County. Accola holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has been involved in the Chippewa Valley startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem since 2018. With previous experience at Pablo Center at the Confluence and The Coven Eau Claire (formerly CoLab), as well as leading initiatives such as 1 Million Cups and Startup Chippewa Valley Week, Accola has worked to foster an environment where all entrepreneurs can find success and growth in our region.

He looks forward to the innovative and collaborative approach to Economic Development that Dunn County has pursued through this position. The entirety of Dunn County is ripe with possibilities for current businesses to thrive and grow, new businesses to emerge and succeed, and for outside businesses looking to call Dunn County home. Adam looks forward to harnessing the community’s energy to foster additional economic growth and opportunities for the residents of Dunn County.

Seth Hudson, Innovation in Dunn County & Executive Director for Corporate Relations and Economic Engagement, UW-Stout

Seth Hudson directs the UW-Stout’s Discovery Center, including the Manufacturing Outreach Center, Stout Technology and Business Park, and a comprehensive range of industry, applied research, technical assistance and technology transfer efforts of the university.

Hudson has bachelor’s degrees in political science and economics from the University of Southern Maine.

2:45 pm 2025 Legislation: State Updates