EAU CLAIRE — The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) announced on Sept. 26 that Green County Home Construction Cooperative won a 2024 Community and Economic Development Award (CEDA) in the Community Impact category. The CEDA Awards were established by WEDA to recognize economic development projects, businesses, and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Wisconsin economy. Winners were recognized at the annual CEDA Awards ceremony, which was held Sept. 26 in Eau Claire.

Three CEDA finalists were selected in each of the four following CEDA categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Community Impact; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction,

Development, and Retention. The winners in each category were announced and celebrated at the awards ceremony that was attended by over 200 economic development professionals from across the state.

“Economic development drives growth and prosperity throughout Wisconsin, attracting capital investment, creating new jobs, and providing an improved quality of life for residents. However, the hard work of economic development professionals is usually under-appreciated and often unrecognized,” said WEDA Interim President and CEO Kathryn Berger. “The CEDA Awards provides a much-needed opportunity to celebrate economic development and the accomplishments of so many hard-working industry professionals. I am thrilled to congratulate each CEDA finalist and winner.”

Green County Home Construction Cooperative won their CEDA Award in the Community Impact category, which recognizes innovation in community development that promotes and advances health and economic prosperity in Wisconsin communities. Finalist projects in this category demonstrated at least one of the following: Development or expansion of the community’s entrepreneurial ecosystem; development of quality place-making or place keeping initiatives; redevelopment of blighted buildings into a project that has revitalized the community; or development of downtown or main street workforce housing.

The Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) Home Construction Cooperative was created to address two critical issues in the Green County area — the shortage of skilled trades workers and the lack of affordable family housing. The program, kick-started through the donation of a vacant home from SSM Health Monroe, engaged 16 students from Monroe High School in the renovation of the donated home. Working together with local contractors in one-hour blocks three days per week, students gained trades skills experience that will last a lifetime, including exposure to general construction, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, masonry, and landscaping. The Home Construction Cooperative, which is boosting affordable housing stock and developing the next generation of skilled trades professionals one house at a time, is positioned to make an impact well into the future.

“We are honored to be recognized alongside the other worthy projects and thank WEDA for this honor,” said Olivia Otte, Executive Director of Green County Development Corporation. “The Home Construction Cooperative is a very special program for Green County and illustrates how rural communities work to solve problems. This program has truly been a community effort, from the school district and the City of Monroe to local businesses and other partners. We wouldn’t be successful without their support.”

CEDA finalists were screened and selected by an impartial panel of judges comprised of key WEDA members and partners. The independent panel reviewed many projects that were submitted for consideration, but the 12 finalists and ultimately the winners were selected based on the significant economic impact each project has had on its respective community or region.

The 2024 CEDA Awards would not have been possible without the support of WEDA’s generous partners and sponsors, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; Alliant Energy; Dairyland Power Cooperative; First Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise; Madison Gas & Electric; US Bank; the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute; and Xcel Energy.

About WEDA

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association, founded in 1975, is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to growing Wisconsin’s economy. Driven by the needs of our 400-plus members, they represent the economic development interests of both the private and public sectors through advocacy, education, and leadership on statewide initiatives.