Losing critical institutions and services makes it more difficult to have a thriving community and live in rural places. For communities in Wisconsin, there are planning tools and resources that are focused on increasing livability.
The Rural Livability Project (Coming soon)
“Livability” is what makes somewhere a good place to live and work. But what livability looks like depends on who you ask, which makes defining it tough. Measuring it? Even tougher.
Traditional approaches to measuring livability focus mostly on growth – the idea that more people, more jobs, and more businesses must lead to a higher quality of life. The Rural Livability Project approach is different. We use diverse data, advanced methods, and comprehensive analytical frameworks to go beyond growth in uncovering the mechanisms that drive livability—what makes somewhere a good place to live, work, and raise a family. By developing locally informed tools that keep rural at the center, we’re empowering communities to recognize their strengths, confront their challenges, and make informed choices about how to invest in their communities.
We invite you to learn more about our approach, explore our research through the interactive maps, and keep up with the team as we continue our mission towards sustaining and advancing rural livability.
Community Economic Analysis for Rural Wisconsin Communities program (CEA-RWC)
CEA-RWC program is a joint effort between the UW-Madison Extension and WEDC Office of Rural Prosperity to bring a structured community economic development strategic planning program to rural Wisconsin communities. CEA-RWC program equips small communities with tools to plan for a prosperous future, focusing on strengthening local economic development efforts.
Design Wisconsin- UW-Madison Extension
Design Wisconsin is a community visioning program that builds and motivates positive community change. Through Community Design Charrettes, public participation and professional volunteers discover a shared vision for the future and generate energy to pursue that vision.
Thrive Rural- WEDC Office of Rural Prosperity
The Thrive Rural Wisconsin program is designed to help rural and Tribal communities bring together local leadership, define shared goals, and access the resources they need to make lasting change.
Main Street and Connect Community Program- WEDC
Vibrant Main Streets and community corridors don’t just happen. They require planning, nurturing, interest, and action from many stakeholders who share a vision for the future. WEDC’s two downtown programs—the Connect Communities Program and the Wisconsin Main Street Program—can help your community bring that vision to life.
Small Business Development Grant- WEDC
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) Small Business Development Grant (SBDG) Program encourages communities and economic development partners to invest in their small businesses. The program offers financial incentives for these communities and organizations to develop innovative programs that directly support small businesses and small business creation. The program’s goal is to support economic development programs that aim to broaden access to capital for small businesses in the state of Wisconsin.
Redeveloped idle industrial, institutional, and commercial sites can again become generators for economic development and an improved quality of life for the cities and communities where they are located. WEDC’s Idle Sites Redevelopment Program helps communities pursue this opportunity.
