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• Small Community Forum: Gillett, Oconto County

  • When
    9 Sep 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    CESA 8, 223 W Park St, Gillett, WI 54124
  • Registered
    19 registrants

  Register

  
  

  The 14TH annual series of Small Community Forums will be held in four locations in September and October to facilitate dialogue between small communities, address common issues, network, share best practices, and identify strategies to address shared concerns.

  These convenings are about sharing ideas, learning, and networking concerning the health and future of rural Wisconsin. People interested in small towns and rural Wisconsin are invited to attend, including those involved in quality-of-life issues, business, government, education, the non-profit sector, and civic and community development.

  Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
  CESA 8, 223 W Park St, Gillett, WI 54124

  8:30 am       Registration/coffee and rolls

  8:45 am            Welcome and Introductions

  9:15 am             Local Case Studies: Gillett

  • The Urban Loft development in Lena
  • The downtown revitalization plan in Suring,
  • Oconto County NFL Draft video series

  10:15 am Community Involved Employers: Impact on Community Development
  Spotlighting an exemplary area employer who is creating or investing in local community development. The discussion will include the benefits to both the employer and the community, as well as how they became involved.

  Encompass Early Education & Care

  Speaker: Jayme Sellen, Executive Director, TEDCOR about the Economic Development impact of Encompass. 

  11:00 am Rural Livability Project: An Update
  Speaker(s): Project Leaders at the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

  11:30 am Roundtable Discussions: Creating Community

  12:30 pm Wrap-up & Lunch with colleagues and resource leaders

  $25 registration, includes light breakfast and lunch

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• Small Community Forum: Cazenovia, Richland County

  • When
    11 Sep 2025
  •  
    7:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Cazenovia Fire House 303 WI-58 Trunk, Cazenovia, WI 53924
  • Registered
    6 registrants

  Register

  
  

  The 14th annual series of Small Community Forums will be held in four locations in September and October to facilitate dialogue between small communities, address common issues, network, share best practices, and identify strategies to address shared concerns. Representatives from various state and regional resource partners will be available to connect with attendees and offer guidance on specific concerns raised during the sessions.

  These convenings are about sharing ideas, learning, and networking concerning the health and future of rural Wisconsin. People interested in small towns and rural Wisconsin are invited to attend, including those involved in quality-of-life issues, business, government, education, the non-profit sector, and civic and community development.

  We look forward to hosting this forum at the Firehouse on September 11, honoring firemen and firewomen from around the country who responded to New York that historic day—a genuine grassroots, small-town effort.
  

  Forum Agenda
  Richland County | September 11, 2025 | 7:30 AM - 1:00 pm
  Cazenovia Fire House, 303 WI Hwy 58, Cazenovia, WI

  7:30 am    Registration/coffee and rolls

  8:00 am     Welcome and Introductions

  8:45 am     Local Case Studies:  Our local hosts will be showcasing area projects.

  9:45 am     Community Involved Employers: Impact on Community DevelopmentSpotlighting an exemplary area employer who is creating or investing in local community development. The discussion will include the benefits to both the employer and the community, as well as how they became involved.

  Employer: Cazenovia Area Ambulance Service

  10:30 am Rural Livability Project: An Update
  Project Leaders at the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

  11:00 am Roundtable Discussions: Creating Community

  Noon    Wrap-up & Lunch with colleagues and resource leaders

  Who Should Attend: Civic leaders, elected officials, volunteers, business leaders, educators, and local and regional economic development associations are encouraged to participate. Case study presentations and resource discussions will focus on partnership, innovation, and workforce development, among other issues.

  $25 Registration, includes coffee, rolls, and lunch

  Show details
• Small Community Forum: Weyerhaeuser, Rusk County

  • When
    1 Oct 2025
  •  
    7:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    VFW, N3782 N 4th St, Weyerhaeuser, WI 54895
  • Registered
    5 registrants

  Register

  
  

  Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
  VFW Weyerhaeuser, N3786 4th Street, Weyerhaeuser

  The 14TH annual series of Small Community Forums will be held in four locations in September and October to facilitate dialogue between small communities, address common issues, network, share best practices, and identify strategies to address shared concerns.

  These convenings are about sharing ideas, learning, and networking concerning the health and future of rural Wisconsin. People interested in small towns and rural Wisconsin are invited to attend, including those involved in quality-of-life issues, business, government, education, the non-profit sector, and civic and community development.

  Forum Agenda

  Rusk County | October 1, 2025 | 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM

  Weyerhaeuser VFW Post 5780, N3786 4th Street, Weyerhaeuser, WI

  7:30 am   Registration/coffee and rolls

  8:00 am   Welcome and Introductions

  8:45 am   Local Case Studies: Showcasing area projects.

  • Weyerhaeuser Pickleball project
  • The redevelopment of Weyerhaeuser's Historical Buildings
  • • 1909 Soo Line Railroad depot
    • Old Fire Hall

  9:45 am   Community Involved Employers: Impact on Community Development
  Spotlighting an exemplary area employer who is creating or investing in local community development. The discussion will include the benefits to both the employer and the community, as well as how they became involved.

  Highlighted Employer: Kyle Czekalski, Partner | COO, Centerline Architectural Solutions 

  10:30 am   The Rural Livability Project: An Update
  Project Leaders at the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

  11:00 am   Roundtable Discussions: Local and area topics 

  Noon         Wrap-up & Lunch with colleagues and resource leaders

  1:00 pm    Optional Tours:

  • Centerline Architectural Solutions facility, You will quite surprised of Centerline
  • 1909 Soo Line Railroad depot and Old Fire Hall

  $25 registration, includes light breakfast and lunch

  Who Should Attend: Civic leaders, elected officials, volunteers, business leaders, educators, and local and regional economic development associations are encouraged to participate. Representatives from various state and regional resource partners will be available to connect with attendees and offer guidance on specific concerns raised during the sessions.
  

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• Small Community Forum: Hustisford, Dodge County

  • When
    7 Oct 2025
  •  
    7:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Hustisford Community Hall, 316 E Tweedy St, Hustisford, WI 53034
  • Registered
    4 registrants

  Register

  

  Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | 7:30 am - 1:00 pm 

  Hustisford Community Hall, 316 E Tweedy St, Hustisford, WI 53034

  Sessions Include:

  • Local Case Studies: Our local hosts will be showcasing area projects.
  • Community Involved Employers: Impact on Community Development
    Spotlighting an exemplary area employer who is creating or investing in local community development. The discussion will include the benefits to both the employer and the community, as well as how they became involved.
  • Rural Livability Project: An Update
  • Roundtable Discussions: Local and area topics that hosts would like to discuss.
  • Lunch with colleagues and resource leaders

  $25 registration, includes light breakfast and lunch

  Show details