At Green County Development Corporation (GCDC), one question we often ask is: what kind of community do we want to leave for the next generation?

Right now, Green County — like much of the nation — is facing a major demographic shift. As our population ages, a significant amount of wealth will change hands as farms, homes, and businesses transition to the next generation. At the same time, many local business owners are nearing retirement. Without thoughtful planning, too much of this wealth and too many of these businesses could leave our community rather than continuing to fuel its growth.

These challenges may sound daunting, but we’re not alone — rural communities across the country are grappling with the same questions. The good news about this is that there are many different communities we can learn from and bring best practices back here. Many projects have already been started. GCDC and our partners are already working on projects that invest in both people and places. The Home Construction Cooperative is giving young people hands-on experience in the trades while addressing housing needs. Our Housing Development Fund is helping jumpstart new residential projects across the county. And the Green County Leaders program continues to develop the next generation of civic and business leaders.

At first glance, these initiatives may seem very different. But they all share a common theme: preparing Green County for the future by strengthening both the people who live here and the places we call home. As great as these programs are, we understand that the work is not done. There is a lot left to do.

These topics will take center stage at our Fall Breakfast on October 10th at Turner Hall in Monroe. We’re proud to host this event in partnership with UW Extension and the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. This year’s keynote speaker is Jeff Yost, President of the Nebraska Community Foundation, who has helped rural communities across the country hold onto their wealth and reinvest it locally.

Green County has always been a place where neighbors look out for one another. Now, we have the chance to put that spirit to work in a new way — by making sure the wealth and businesses built here, stay here.

Join us at the Fall Breakfast as we start this important conversation together.

— Olivia Otte is the Executive Director of the Green County Development Corporation (GCDC). She can be reached at Olivia@greencountydevelopment.com, or by calling 608-328-9452.