MADISON — Finalists for the 2023 Community and Economic Development Awards (CEDA) were recently announced by the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA). The CEDA Awards were established by WEDA to recognize and celebrate businesses, projects, and organizations that are making significant contributions to Wisconsin’s economy.
“The WEDA Community and Economic Development Awards is Wisconsin’s premier awards program for the economic development community and was established to recognize outstanding and innovative projects that are driving economic growth and prosperity across the state,” said WEDA President and CEO Mary Perry. “WEDA is excited to hold the 2023 CEDA Awards program in beautiful downtown Wausau to celebrate economic development and the tremendous success of each finalist.”
Three to four economic development projects or programs were nominated as finalists in each of the four following CEDA categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Economic Development Initiative; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention. The winners in each category will be announced at the in-person awards ceremony luncheon, which will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28, as part of WEDA’s Fall Best Practices Conference in Wausau.
Nominated projects were screened and selected by an impartial panel of judges comprised of WEDA members and partners. The independent panel reviewed many projects that were submitted for consideration, but the 13 finalists were ultimately selected based on the significant economic impact each project has on its respective community or region.
Among those awarded was Green County Development Corporation’s (GCDC) 2023 Small Business Series.
With limited entrepreneurial support in rural communities throughout Green County, GCDC, in partnership with The Bank of New Glarus, and the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center, created a free, in-person Small Business Series. The five-part training series offered one-hour training sessions held over a four-week period, with the fifth week reserved for participation in a pitch contest.
Twenty-one inspired entrepreneurs participated in the sessions, and seven of those participants opted to pitch their businesses in the final contest. The collaborative effort, which was supported by local leaders, helped make the program a success. This program netted four business starts with a capital infusion of $1.75 million.
The Small Business Series is scheduled to continue with quarterly sessions, and another five-part training series to be held in the spring of 2024. Its success was recognized by Compeer Financial, who awarded GCDC $5,000 in grant funds to support an entrepreneurial Pop-Up Shop program. This grant will support entrepreneurs with initial rental assistance for storefronts within Green County communities.
The 2023 CEDA Awards would not be possible without the support of WEDA’s generous partners and sponsors, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; the Green Bay Packers; Alliant Energy; Dairyland Power Cooperative; First Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise; Madison Gas & Electric; US Bank; the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute; and Xcel Energy.
2023 CEDA Award categories and finalists:
Business Retention and Expansion
This award recognizes a single economic development project in which a community successfully mobilized to retain and/or expand an existing business of great importance to the community.
● Falls Meat Service, Pigeon Falls
● McCain Foods, Plover
● ND Paper, Biron
● Paper Transport, Green Bay
Economic Development Initiative
This award recognizes innovation in community and economic development that promotes economic growth within communities and regions.
● City of Fitchburg North Fish Hatchery Road Construction Project, Fitchburg
● Green County Development Corporation 2023 Small Business Series, Green County
● Wisconsin Small Business Development Center’s Capital Access Clinic, Statewide
Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse
This award recognizes innovative real estate redevelopment or reuse projects that demonstrate measurable and quantitative impact on employment and tax base, as well as sustainability measures, such as conservation of energy and water.
● Allie Family Companies River North, Manitowoc
● Beebe Lofts, New Richmond
● Belle City Square, Racine
Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention
This award recognizes initiatives or programs that can document successful talent attraction, development, and retention outcomes.
● La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce First Friend Newcomer Connection Program, Greater La Crosse
● NEW BOOST for Hidden Talent, New North Region
● Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce Futuro Program, Dane County