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 April 23, 2004 - Progress Era Opens By Colin Atagi, Daily Tribune Staff An attendance of more than 200 people and a contribution of $45,000 helped to make the Community Progress Initiative kickoff a success, organizers said. Thursday's ceremony at Centralia Center launched the three-year program, organized by the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County. The goal is to enhance the local economy and build optimistic communities in south Wood County and the town of Rome. Ahmad Musallam, a Wisconsin Rapids community volunteer who attended, thinks it's a great way to promote the community. He was impressed the organizers took the time to put together such an extensive campaign. "We're really lucky to have leaders to take the initiative to the next level," he said. "We can't just sit back and let opportunity pass us up." Bill Wheeler, deputy administrator of community development of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, presented a mock $45,000 check during the launch Thursday to represent the state's contribution. Organizers weren't sure the grant would be approved so soon, said Connie Loden, executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin. "We're really pleased the Department of Commerce has the confidence that what we're doing will have results in the community," she said. "Bill Wheeler's comments are indicative of the support behind the project." Wheeler confirmed that notion. "There is some real commitment out here in this community to make these positive changes happen," he said. After facing years of economic challenges, "instead of falling down it looks like you are on your feet and building from within." State Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, helped the Community Foundation and Heart of Wisconsin obtain the grant. "Wood County has been especially hard hit by the economic downturn of recent years. The Community Progress Initiative is precisely the kind of comprehensive approach we need to reinvent the economy of Wood County so that it can compete and thrive in the 21st century," Lassa said in a release. The grant was among a number of in-kind contributions that were made by local businesses and organizations. David Beurle, an Australian expert on rural leadership and innovative community economic development, served as the keynote speaker. He spoke on the importance of culture and cooperation to an economy, and he said he was impressed with the turnout. "It was cool," he said. "It's just really neat to see this many people here. If you get that many people to come out and participate - that's your future." During his speech, Beurle stressed steps people could take to build the local economy - creating a personal future, supporting local businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, giving to the community, providing leadership, driving change, inspiring others and being positive. "Those are the sort of behaviors successful communities practice," he said during his speech. The launch set the stage for such events as entrepreneurial boot camps, community progress rallies and an industry cluster launch over the coming year. "It's a culmination of literally 100 hours of research," said Fred Siemers, chairman of the Heart of Wisconsin board, during the presentation. The next events will be a series of community rallies over the next two weeks. The first ones are scheduled for Monday in Nekoosa and Port Edwards. "We're thrilled," said Kelly Lucas, president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation. "The steady streams of activity that are the most imminent are the rallies. That's really important - getting people out and involved in their communities." Community leaders and residents also were impressed by the event and its coming projects. Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Jerry Bach said he was glad to see the effort to improve the local economy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," he said during an interview, expressing his support for Community Progress Initiative organizers. "It's because of the positive attitude and what the community has to offer. It's what I've been saying since I was elected, and it's nice to see the community getting going." You can reach Colin Atagi at 422-6728 or at catagi@wisconsinrapidstribune.com. Staff writer Antoinette Rahn contributed to this report. In Their Own Words: "It's wonderful to see so many people interested in the community. I think everybody's been a little down with all that's happened in our area over the years, and it's a positive attitude that we need, to start improving things." - Phyllis Ritchie, Wisconsin Rapids "We need to take responsibility for our community's future and create an identity that's positive. I think the ($45,000) start-up funds from the state is a sign that people have faith in what's being created here." - Heather Wessling, Nekoosa "For a long time a negative attitude has prevailed, and there are a lot of good things to focus on and build from in our community. ... Organizations and businesses have to be supportive of one another." - Mitch Biba, Grand Rapids "I think this is the open door we need to go through to move forward. It's something everyone, senior citizens to children, can be part of." - John Podawiltz, Wisconsin Rapids
		Copyright © 2004, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome