Economic Growth United States Project #33799

Invest in rural residents building their future

by Incourage

Invest in rural residents building their future

Project Report | Dec 13, 2018
A Year-End Tribune Project Update

By Michelle Goetsch | Incourage Communications Team

Dear Friend of the Tribune-

Earlier this year, you helped the Tribune achieve a permanent place on the GlobalGiving crowdfunding platform. As we near the end of 2018, we are happy to share our progress toward realizing the fundraising goals that will bring the Tribune Building to life.

To date, we have raised $9,276 through the GlobalGiving platform. Every resident who contributed to the campaign played a critical role in advocating for community-led decision-making as the means toward a goal of inclusive economic growth in our community.

Below is a summary of ways we continue to work alongside residents, local businesses and organizations in reaching our shared goal:

- We completed the formal process of submitting a $3M request for the Tribune in the 2019-2021 Wisconsin State Budget. Critical to the request was the support from local businesses, regional economic development organizations, UW-Stevens Point, Mid-State Technical College, North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, and the Regional Economic Growth Initiative (REGI), as well as a resolution of support passed by the City of Wisconsin Rapids Common Council.

- We hosted an Entrepreneurship Development Series workshop focused on Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lending and support services. Multiple partners with an interest in supporting business development came together for the event, including Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, Mid-State Technical College, Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, Hmong Chamber of Commerce and the UW-Stevens Point Small Business Development Center. Attendees learned about local financing and technical assistance resources for startups and existing small businesses— examples of collaborative programming that will occur within Tribune.

- We received a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation grant to update the Tribune operating model and integrate new partnerships with key regional organizations – including Mid-State Technical College and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The work is underway.

- We are continuing to move forward plans for the Training Microbrewery to focus on training and employing local talent to create craft brews; partner with established microbreweries to apprentice onsite master brewers; and host the state’s first brewing apprenticeship program that will serve statewide and national audiences.

What’s next?
As we enter 2018 and our 25^th year as an organization serving the south Wood County region, Incourage remains committed to the Tribune. Join with us in sharing our Tribune GlobalGiving page with friends and family who want to be a part of this important work.

Kristopher Gasch Kelly Ryan
Incourage Board Chair Incourage CEO

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Sep 18, 2018
Tribune Update Report: Pushing Forward

By Michelle Goetsch | Incourage Communications Team

Friday Night Lights Artists

Hello Tribune Supporter!

It’s been just three months since you were a part in earning the Tribune a permanent spot on the GlobalGiving crowdfunding site. So many great things have happened at the Tribune since that time!

To date, we’ve raised $9,004 from 92 donors through GlobalGiving
More than 100 residents, and local civic, business and organizational leaders toured the building
Wisconsin Public Service featured the Tribune in their quarterly statewide newsletter as an example of innovative rural economic development
The Central Wisconsin HealthTIDE Rally featured the Tribune’s role as a critical local health equity project

And in fact, the building has been buzzing with action all summer long. Beginning in May, the Incourage team set out to implement Tribune Teasers. The teasers are events that mimic activities that will take place in and around the Tribune when renovations are complete. The teasers also showcase the types of partnerships and strong regional assets that the Tribune can bring together to accelerate growth in local workforce development, entrepreneurship and innovation.

As one of the seven teaser events, Incourage partnered with Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) and the Wood County Health Dept. (WCHD) for a local food chef demonstration at the Downtown Wisconsin Rapids Mall Farmers Market. Local residents were able to watch MSTC’s new hospitality program chef use local produce from the farmers market to prepare a delicious, healthy meal.

Maybe the most visible of the events took place in the form of a grand reveal in early August when 11 local artists shared their original back-lit painted designs highlighting local assets on the windows of the Tribune Building’s circular portion. Each Friday through the end of October, the building’s lights are turned on from dusk to dawn to let the artwork shine forth through the night.

In October, Incourage will host an entrepreneurial event in partnership with Invest in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative (WWBIC) and local economic development and entrepreneurial support organizations such as Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce and MSTC. The event is intended for individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses, as well as additional stakeholders that want to grow the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

What’s next?
Incourage continues to seek to raise $15M for Tribune renovations. It has always been Incourage’s goal to raise $1M for the Tribune from the local community, and contributions through GlobalGiving are a way to realize that goal. That goal was established with intentionality to ensure engagement of residents of all walks of life who provide gifts of all sizes. A true grassroots effort. The success realized in just the first three months of the campaign demonstrates to local and state leaders the wide-reaching and diverse local support for the downtown renovation project.

We are excited to have you on board as a Tribune supporter! Together, we can build a resilient economic future for our community – a future where equity and opportunity exists for all.

Kristopher Gasch Kelly Ryan
Incourage Board Chair Incourage CEO

Farmers Market Chef Demo

HealthTide Rally Atop the Tribune

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