A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     South Wood County

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 April 18, 2007 - Grant supports community progress By Andrew Hellpap, Daily Tribune staff Many of the same faces that kicked off the Community Progress Initiative in 2004 were among the hundreds at Hotel Mead on Tuesday to celebrate its third anniversary. What began as a three-year program will continue after a $500,000 Ford Foundation grant in January; the first Ford grant was for $240,000 in February 2006, and the new one will pay for two more years of the program. The initiative was formed jointly by the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County to spur community growth in south Wood County and the town of Rome. The CPI’s focus to train leadership at all demographic levels, not only the elite, drew the Ford Foundation’s attention, said keynote speaker Susan Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation and one of Forbes Magazine’s 2006 most powerful women in the world. Three principles defined the Ford Foundation’s interest in helping the initiative: the focus on economic, community and leadership development, which were keys to turning around a community after the shock of an economic downturn, including the job losses following the sale of Consolidated Papers Inc. in 2000, Berresford said. Her presence showed how special it is when local citizens work together for community growth, said Kelly Lucas, Community Foundation president and chief executive officer. “It’s a testament to the people of the community,” she said. The Progress Initiative’s uniqueness was exemplified in that the Ford Foundation receives 44,000 requests world-wide each year, but only grants about 2,000. Kristi Anderson, a Lincoln High School senior who represented the young community leaders, spoke to the gathering. “Kids, including me, are now thinking about returning after college because of the positive changes in the community,” she said.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome