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Supporting Thriving & Resilient CommunitieS

Wisconsin’s voice for collaborative action on issues to support rural communities!

WRP is a neutral, nonprofit organization that brings together a cross section of residents, organizations and leaders that cross political affiliations and organizational boundaries to advance initiatives important to rural communities throughout the state. From community centered initiatives that build upon local citizen-based efforts, to an annual statewide Summit, WRP is focused on addressing issues and building collaboration between community, state, federal, nonprofit, and private sector leaders.

WRP has designed and implemented highly effective programming to identify and address key issues that impact rural life. The portfolio of events includes:

  • 4 annual Small Community forums;
  • Town-by-town community development listening and planning forums;
  • Annual statewide Rural Summit conference;
  • Top Rural Development Initiative awards; and
  • State of Rural Wisconsin - a compendium of rural Wisconsin data.
WRP holds, as its central value, the integration of community based solutions that support Wisconsin’s quality of life while promoting economic opportunity, social equality and environmental accountability. WRP is proud of its legacy of utilizing a strong network of thoughtful and effective leaders to analyze and make crucial recommendations on Wisconsin rural policy and implement construction community change.

Goals

  • Build Collaborative Partnerships
  • Identify Critical Rural Needs
  • Coordinate Private/Public Community Leadership
  • Communicate Rural Policy Initiatives

Programs

  • 4 Annual Small Community Forums
  • Town-by-Town Community Development Listening & Planning Forums
  • Annual Statewide Rural Summit
  • Top Rural Development Initiative Awards
  • State of Rural Wisconsin -  a compendium of rural Wisconsin Data

History

Since December 1992, the organization has served as Wisconsin’s state rural development council (SRDC) through a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Agriculture.

WRP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that brings together a cross section of residents, organizations and leaders that cross political affiliations and organizational boundaries to advance initiatives important to rural communities throughout the state.  From community centered initiatives that build upon local citizen-based efforts, to an annual statewide Summit, WRP is focused on addressing issues and building collaboration between community, state, federal, nonprofit, and private sector leaders.

WRP has designed and implemented highly effective programming to identify and address key issues that impact rural life for more than 25 years.  Wisconsin Rural Partners actively promotes economic, social and community development for rural Wisconsin. WRP is a member of National Rural Development Partnership and Partners for Rural America.

Advocate

WRP is an active advocate for locally-based solutions focused on core issues and opportunities. WRP encourages private/public partnerships for sustainable rural community development.  We foster and celebrate local initiatives and projects that promote stewardship and expansion of community and natural resources including:

    • Broadband Access and Adoption
    • Community Infrastructure and Systems
    • Child and Health Care Access
    • Housing Financing and Construction
    • Transportation Maintenance, Access and Use
    • Agriculture and Natural Resource Use and Conservation
Mission: Wisconsin Rural Partners is the independent statewide not-for-profit organization that focuses solely on the resilience of rural Wisconsin by bringing together residents, businesses, civic organizations and government to address the unique challenges facing rural communities.

About us

​Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. (WRP) serves as a network hub for organizations, government agencies and people working to make rural Wisconsin a better place. ​​We strive through our work to build leadership for the communities of rural Wisconsin.  ​​

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Find us

Wisconsin Rural Partners
601 Sawyer Terrace #5184
Madison, WI 53705

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