BRODHEAD — Community members are invited to attend a community conversation previewing the results of the Brodhead Community Economic Analysis (CEA). This event is scheduled for informal networking to start at 5:30 p.m. with the formal event starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18. This will be held in the community room at the Brodhead Memorial Public Library.
Brodhead is one of five rural Wisconsin communities that have been actively engaged in the Community Economic Analysis for Rural Wisconsin Communities pilot program sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension (UW-Extension) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). This program has been designed to enhance the resiliency and vibrancy of rural communities for current and future generations.
The Brodhead Community Economic Analysis program combines the knowledge and insights of local leaders and area residents with Brodhead-specific demographic and economic data delivered by a team of community economic development specialists from UW-Extension. Participants have met over the course of 10 weeks to review Brodhead-specific data, comprehensively assess opportunities and challenges, and identify priorities for community and economic development.
The outcomes of this pilot program will serve as the foundation for a Community Economic Development Strategic Plan that will meet the unique needs of the Brodhead community. Prior to developing that plan, the committee is seeking input from community members.
The City of Brodhead was chosen to participate in this pilot program through a competitive process from among more than two dozen rural communities that submitted applications. The Brodhead CEA committee consists of representatives from local businesses, the City of Brodhead, Brodhead Chamber of Commerce, Brodhead School District, Blackhawk Technical College, Green County Development Corporation, and several community-members-at-large. The University of Wisconsin-Madison representatives are from the Division of Extension’s Community Economic Development Program and the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.
For further information, or to learn more about the Brodhead Community Economic Analysis, contact: Victoria Solomon at the Green County UW-Extension Office at (608) 328-9440 or victoria.solomon@wisc.edu.