The city of Oconto Falls will participate in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Connect Communities Program, an initiative that works with communities to advance downtown and historic commercial corridor revitalization efforts.
Oconto Falls is one of two new communities joining the program in the fall of 2024. The new communities include downtown Green Bay and Oconto Falls. This brings the total number of Connect Communities participating to 96.
The Connect Communities Program, which was launched in 2013, provides access to tools, resources, and training to help communities pursue revitalization and redevelopment efforts. In the past decade, participating communities have reported adding more than 870 net new businesses and more than 3,300 jobs, as well as $3.9 billion in private investment.
“Strong, thriving communities are what makes Wisconsin a great place for people to live, work, grow, and do business,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “WEDC congratulates Oconto Falls for their commitment to successful community development.”
According to Oconto Mayor Clint Braun, “Our Main Street needs to hit the rewind button on decades of neglect and take the steps necessary to move toward a future of vibrant prosperity. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Connect Communities initiative will be key in revitalizing Main Street. By being connected to 96 other Connect Communities throughout the state, it will assist in fostering growth within the Main Street environment. We’re excited to take yet another step in the right direction to bring our once-pulsing downtown Oconto Falls back to life.”
Connect Communities participants benefit from many types of assistance and resources as part of a broad-based network of communities with similar objectives. Program services include:
- An online networking and discussion group to get new ideas from staff and other participating Connect Communities.
- Main Street workshops focused on popular downtown revitalization topics.
- An on-site visit from a member of WEDC’s community development staff to assist in identifying needs and helping develop a plan to achieve local goals.
- Training for the downtown director or program lead, board president, or municipal staff.
- Roundtable discussion groups, quarterly webinars and regional training sessions on pertinent topics.
- WEDC’s online downtown development library of resources and toolkits.
- Invitation to the annual Main Street Awards program, plus eligibility to nominate a project for a Connect Communities award.
Businesses in participating districts are also eligible to access matching loan dollars through the Kiva crowdlending platform, have access to a statewide historic façade design library, and can apply for annual makeover and place-makeover contests.
