Invest in rural residents building their future

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