Economic Growth United States Project #33799

Invest in rural residents building their future

by Incourage

Invest in rural residents building their future

Project Report | Sep 27, 2019
Tribune Update: Forward Tribune!

By Corey Anfinson | Project Leader

Dear Friend of the Tribune,

Since we joined Global Giving in 2018, we have raised $9,726 for the Tribune Building Project. As a contributor to this campaign, you play a critical role in advocating for community-led decision-making as the way to achieve competitive and sustainable growth in rural America’s small-town economies. Thank you for your ongoing support!

We’re pleased to share our ongoing progress toward achieving the fundraising and advocacy goals needed to make the Tribune project a reality:

The Tribune Building Project took a notable step forward in July as residents, Incourage partners, local organizations, business owners and government officials gathered to celebrate a $3 million grant to the project through the state budget in July. The Tribune Building Project was the only non-state project in Governor Tony Evers’ budget. This investment from the state will help unlock additional capital toward the remaining fundraising goal of $5 million. Contributions of all sizes and types are essential to making this community-driven project a reality.

In August, we held a planning meeting with our project partners Concordia Architecture, Planning, & Community Engagement; JH Findorff & Son Inc; and Diane Lupke & Associates, Inc. to re-evaluate the project’s operating model and building costs. This ensures that both the building and financial contributions are being utilized to their fullest extent.

Throughout the summer, dozens of residents and visitors learned about the Tribune project by touring of the historic building. They heard about the iconic building’s history and the amazing programming yet to come. Participants received a $5 Farmers Market Dollars voucher to use at the Wisconsin Rapids Downtown Farmers Market located in front of the building. Supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs grows local wealth and builds community, both socially and economically.

In 2019, your continued support is critical to realizing the Tribune’s success, as it will foster economic growth and innovation for generations to come. Contributions of all sizes and types matter. Join us in sharing our Tribune GlobalGiving page with friends and family and make them part of this important work.

Kristopher Gasch Kelly Ryan

Incourage Board Chair Incourage CEO

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Jun 28, 2019
Tribune Update: Moving Forward

By Carol Davis | Communications Specialist

Tribune Tours: 3rd Thurs, 11 a.m. through Sept.

Dear Friend of the Tribune,

In June 2019, we completed our first full year with GlobalGiving. To date, we have raised $9,481 through this platform. Those who contribute to this campaign play a critical role in advocating for community-led decision-making as to way to achieve competitive and sustainable growth in rural America’s small-town economies. Thank you for your ongoing support!

We’re pleased to share our ongoing progress toward achieving the fundraising and advocacy goals needed to make the Tribune project a reality.

Following Governor Evers’ decision to recommend funding for the Tribune Building Project in his capital budget, this week the Legislature adopted a budget bill that includes funding for the Tribune. We’re pleased to see continued bi-partisan support of funding for the Tribune Building Project in the state’s biennial budget. We thank our Tribune supporters for their ongoing advocacy throughout the long budget process. We’re one step closer to establishing the Tribune Building as a regional hub of economic and community development – an accomplishment that will benefit current and future generations in central Wisconsin.
In our last report we highlighted the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an Incourage and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) initiative that aligns university resources to support innovation and opportunity in the Tribune building. Throughout April and May, Incourage held public listening sessions with UWSP’s Economic and Community Development Director, Jenny Resch, and other UWSP representatives to discuss the Partnership and learn how the university might align resources to support innovation and opportunity in the Tribune.
In April, Incourage was honored to receive a 2019 Distinguished Foundation Partnership award from Invest in Wisconsin for our place-based investing in central Wisconsin’s rural communities, including investments in several Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and investments in the Tribune project.

As summer begins, the community has more opportunities to learn about the Tribune project:

We are hosting Tribune building tours on the third Thursday of the month at 11 a.m. through September. Check our Facebook page for more details.
Check out our featured display at South Wood County Historical Museum. You’ll learn about our work on the building and the community since we purchased it in 2012. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

In 2019, your continued support is critical in realizing the Tribune’s success. Join us in sharing our Tribune GlobalGiving page with friends and family and make them part of this important work.

Kristopher Gasch Kelly Ryan

Incourage Board Chair Incourage CEO

Links:

Tribune Building Page

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Mar 22, 2019
Tribune Update Report: Exciting News!

By Carol Davis | Incourage Communications Team

Celebrating a partnership between Incourage & UWSP

Dear Friend of the Tribune,

In 2018, you helped the Tribune achieve a permanent place on the GlobalGiving crowdfunding platform. Now in 2019, we are pleased to share our ongoing progress toward achieving the fundraising goals that will make the Tribune Building a reality.

To date, we have raised $9,436 through the GlobalGiving platform. Every resident who contributes to this campaign plays a critical role in advocating for community-led decision-making as to way to achieve our goal of inclusive economic growth in our community. We’re excited to share these highlights summarizing how our continuing work is gaining momentum:

We were notified that funding for the Tribune Building Project has been included in the Governor’s budget proposal for 2019-2021! While this is very good news, it is important to remember that the Governor’s budget proposal is just the first step in the process of developing the state budget. We will continue working with the Governor and legislators during the budget process to ensure that the Tribune project can move forward to benefit current and future generations. This includes working with State Senator Pat Testin and State Representative Scott Krug to build broad legislative support for Tribune funding.

You can help by calling or emailing Sen. Testin and Rep. Krug to thank them for their continuing support for state funding for the Tribune Building: Sen.Testin@legis.wisconsin.gov & 608.266.3123, and Rep.Krug@legis.wisconsin.gov & 608.266.0215

We recently announced the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an Incourage and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) initiative, creating on-site collaboration at the Tribune Building with:

UWSP programs, including Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technologies (WIST), College of Natural Resources, fermentation sciences, nutrition sciences and design; and Small Business Development Center
Residents, including students, educators, entrepreneurs and investors
North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board
Mid-State Technical College
Private partners focused on innovation in paper, agriculture, food

We held a public meeting in March to provide attendees with project updates and a presentation by Lupke & Associates, Inc. Diane Lupke, an economic development expert, reported on our community’s changing economic landscape and introduced an updated operating model for the Tribune.

In 2019, your voice and continued support will be critical in realizing the Tribune Building’s success. 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

Links:

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About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

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