Wisconsin’s Top Rural Development Initiatives 2007

1. Wisconsin’s Top Rural Development Initiatives 2007 Celebrating the great things happening in rural Wisconsin!

2. Wisconsin’s Top Rural Development Initiatives Program • Wisconsin Rural Partners began awards in 1998 • Recognizes innovative community initiatives in rural Wisconsin that can serve as models for other communities • More than 150 initiatives are profiled on our web site at www.wirural.org

3. 2007 Initiatives • Two initiatives selected for Top Honors • Presented by WRP President Bonnie Peterson and Awards Chair Arlene Scalzo

4. Reedsburg Utility Commission • Represented by Dave Mikonowicz

5. Reedsburg Utility Commission The Initiative: • Southwest Wisconsin rural community lacked high-speed communications access • Created a Municipal Communication Utility in 2000 • Certified by Wisconsin Public Service Commission as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier

6. Reedsburg Utility Commission Partners: • City of Reedsburg, Reedsburg School District, Reedsburg Area Medical Center, Madison Area Technical College (local campus), local businesses and citizens • Includes 4 local telephone cooperatives and 5 telecommunications service providers

7. Reedsburg Utility Commission Strategy: • Invested $13 million in communications infrastructure from 2000-2006 • 40 miles of fiber optic line; 4,200 residential and business Network Interface Devices (NIDs) • Provides voice, video and data services

8. Reedsburg Utility Commission Results: • 55% of residences and 60% of businesses are customers • The Municipal Communications Utility provides businesses with cost savings while enhancing their business investments, employee recruitment, educational and lifestyle benefits

9. Reedsburg Utility Commission Results: • Improved operations for the Medical Center, including patient services and employee training • Increased effectiveness of police, fire protection and other public services • Enhanced educational services for K-12 and technical college

10. Reedsburg Utility Commission A model for other communities: • As the first MCU in Wisconsin, is now helping other communities in Wisconsin , Louisiana and Vermont set up their Municipal Communications Utilities

11. Mineral PointChamber of Commerce • Agriculture & Rural Life Committee • Represented by Lois Federman

12. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce The Initiative: • Goal to boost the use of local foods • Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce Agriculture & Rural Life Committee initiated project with high school • Annual school fundraiser features locally-produced foods in gift boxes

13. Mineral PointChamber of Commerce Partners: • Chamber of Commerce • 13 local producers • 3 high school student clubs: FFA, Outdoorsman Club and VICA

14. Mineral PointChamber of Commerce Strategy: • Chamber members identified local producers and taste tested products • Products were designed into 10 gift packs • Students sold orders for 2 weeks in October

15. Mineral Point’s Local Foods Gift Baskets

16. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce Results: • 722 gift baskets sold with gross sales of $17,606 • 64% increase over previous year’s revenue • Provides additional income for local farmers

17. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce Results: • Showcases diversity of locally-produced food • Provides real-life entrepreneurial experience for students • Retains dollars locally that used to be spent on outside fundraiser items • Created new friendships between school and business people

18. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce A model for other communities: • Student clubs, youth groups and civic organizations that do fundraisers should Think Local! when looking for products • Many partnering organizations expands the publicity circle • New friendships and relationships between school and community can carry to other community activities

19. Congratulations! • Summary descriptions and contacts available • Press releases for initiative representatives to take with them • Have local newspapers contact Wisconsin Rural Partners office for digital photos