A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     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 July 28, 2004 - Organizers hope to attract more to Community Progress rallies By Colin Atagi, Daily Tribune Staff The Community Progress Initiative hit a speed bump Tuesday when a smaller-than-expected crowd turned up for the Wisconsin Rapids "Make it Happen" rally. The original purpose of the meeting was to allow residents to discuss ways to enhance their community, but it instead turned into a discussion about what needs to be done to convince more people to participate. About 25 people were present at the meeting - about a quarter of the number who attended the previous rally in April. But organizers remained optimistic. "You're going to have a variety of factors that come into play that can change how people attend these events," said Connie Loden, executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance, which organized the Community Progress Initiative with the Community Foundation of South Wood County. The goal of the initiative is to enhance the local economy and build optimism in south Wood County communities and the town of Rome. "(The attendance) speaks to us on people wanting to be invited by other people," Loden said. Organizers tentatively rescheduled the Wisconsin Rapids "Make It Happen" rally for Sept. 21 - the same day the Wisconsin Rapids Common Council meets. It was suggested that the two meetings coincide so that council members could also attend. "I look around and I see no council members here (Tuesday)," said Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Jerry Bach. "They're supposed to be the leaders of our community. We need to take the time to invite them (to the rallies)." Tuesday's meeting was the second Make it Happen rally. The first, held Monday in Port Edwards, also drew about 25 people. Residents who attended Tuesday's rally agreed to work to attract other people to the next gathering. Some people in attendance said residents need to know the initiative gives them a chance to have a say in the future development of their community. "The Heart of Wisconsin and the Community Foundation are the catalyst for the initiative. This is a community, from-the-ground-up, process," said Dave Beurle, a rural leadership and creative economic development expert from Australia. Suggestions for getting more people to attend the meetings included having a tailgate party prior to the rallies, similar to the barbecue that's scheduled for the Rome rally Thursday, and asking attendees to each invite several other people to the next rally. Some members of industry cluster groups who attended Tuesday's meeting suggested that organizers should make some study results public to show people the progress that's being made. You can reach Colin Atagi at 422-6728 or at catagi@wisconsinrapidstribune.com.
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