1. Wisconsin’s Top Rural Development Initiatives 2007
Celebrating the great things happening in rural Wisconsin!

2. Wisconsin’s Top Rural Development Initiatives Program
Wisconsin Rural Partners began awards in 1998
Recognizes innovative community initiatives in rural Wisconsin that can serve as models for other communities
More than 150 initiatives are profiled on our web site at

3. 2007 Initiatives Two initiatives selected for Top Honors
Presented by WRP President Bonnie Peterson and Awards Chair Arlene Scalzo

4. Reedsburg Utility Commission
Represented by Dave Mikonowicz

5. Reedsburg Utility Commission
The Initiative:
Southwest Wisconsin rural community lacked high-speed communications access
Created a Municipal Communication Utility in 2000
Certified by Wisconsin Public Service Commission as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier

6. Reedsburg Utility Commission
Partners:
City of Reedsburg, Reedsburg School District, Reedsburg Area Medical Center, Madison Area Technical College (local campus), local businesses and citizens
Includes 4 local telephone cooperatives and 5 telecommunications service providers

7. Reedsburg Utility Commission
Strategy:
Invested $13 million in communications infrastructure from
40 miles of fiber optic line; 4,200 residential and business Network Interface Devices (NIDs)
Provides voice, video and data services

8. Reedsburg Utility Commission
Results:
55% of residences and 60% of businesses are customers
The Municipal Communications Utility provides businesses with cost savings while enhancing their business investments, employee recruitment, educational and lifestyle benefits

9. Reedsburg Utility Commission
Results:
Improved operations for the Medical Center, including patient services and employee training
Increased effectiveness of police, fire protection and other public services
Enhanced educational services for K-12 and technical college

10. Reedsburg Utility Commission
A model for other communities:
As the first MCU in Wisconsin, is now helping other communities in Wisconsin , Louisiana and Vermont set up their Municipal Communications Utilities

11. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce
Agriculture & Rural Life Committee
Represented by Lois Federman

12. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce The Initiative:
Goal to boost the use of local foods
Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce Agriculture & Rural Life Committee initiated project with high school
Annual school fundraiser features locally-produced foods in gift boxes

13. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce
Partners:
Chamber of Commerce
13 local producers
3 high school student clubs: FFA, Outdoorsman Club and VICA

14. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce
Strategy:
Chamber members identified local producers and taste tested products
Products were designed into 10 gift packs
Students sold orders for 2 weeks in October

15. Mineral Point’s Local Foods Gift Baskets

16. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce Results:
722 gift baskets sold with gross sales of $17,606
64% increase over previous year’s revenue
Provides additional income for local farmers

17. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce Results:
Showcases diversity of locally-produced food
Provides real-life entrepreneurial experience for students
Retains dollars locally that used to be spent on outside fundraiser items
Created new friendships between school and business people

18. Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce A model for other communities:
Student clubs, youth groups and civic organizations that do fundraisers should Think Local! when looking for products
Many partnering organizations expands the publicity circle
New friendships and relationships between school and community can carry to other community activities

19. Congratulations! Summary descriptions and contacts available
Press releases for initiative representatives to take with them
Have local newspapers contact Wisconsin Rural Partners office for digital photos