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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News December 1, 2005 - Residents encouraged to help progress team By Kristi Anderson, for Daily Tribune Editor's note: The Daily Tribune will regularly run columns updating Community Progress Initiative activities and the work of its groups in local communities. The Wisconsin Rapids Area Progress Team needs your help to promote the vision for the greater Wisconsin Rapids area. The responsibility of the progress team - which represents Biron, Grand Rapids and Wisconsin Rapids - is to promote and share the vision of the communities through collaboration with organizations and forming partnerships with area officials and other leaders in the community. In September 2004, more than 100 people representing those communities attended a rally to evaluate the community's assets and develop a vision for the future. Citizens of all ages, young and old, came together to create the following vision for Biron, Grand Rapids and Wisconsin Rapids: "Wisconsin Rapids area is a close-knit inclusive community that celebrates diversity; supports and promotes the arts and special events; and offers a hip, cosmopolitan and bustling downtown. Wisconsin Rapids supports a thriving, diversified economy in a healthy environment, and through a strategy of regional branding, supports the development of businesses and entrepreneurism. Unique recreation and tourism opportunities are abundant and anchored by a historic downtown, riverfront neighborhood." The team has been involved in various activities, and one was a community picnic on July 1. The event was held at the Grand Rapids Lions Club to promote collaboration among the three municipalities. About 300 people attended the event; family and friends had a day of fun, music and celebration with others who live, work and visit the area. If we take a closer look at the vision, much of it is already happening. We have a wonderful arts community that strives to offer a wide variety of events for all of us to enjoy. Much work is being done by Industry Clusters in the area of business development and entrepreneurship. Our Convention & Visitor's Bureau is working with the Tourism Cluster to further develop and promote tourism opportunities. And, the Downtown Cluster is working to advance our downtown riverfront area. The Wisconsin Rapids Area Progress Team needs your help to promote the vision for the greater Wisconsin Rapids area. The whole premise of the Community Progress Initiative is to empower people and to make a difference in the future of this community. One of the easiest ways is to be positive and assist the Progress Team in sharing the vision for your community. Kristi Anderson is a student representative on the Wisconsin Rapids Area Progress Team.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome