UW Madison-Division of Extension Community Economic Development

We're excited to announce over 170 people have already registered for our upcoming 2026 CEC conference!

Don't miss your chance to meet and learn from local leaders, business owners, and innovators to explore new ways to grow and sustain thriving local economies.

Register today!

For more information on this opportunity and more, follow the link: http://go.wisc.edu/cec

We want to say a big THANK YOU to our speakers who are the backbone of the 2026 CEC Conference. Your collective knowledge, experience, and generosity will uplift our rural communities to build strong foundations where entrepreneurs and small businesses can thrive.

Thank you to:
• Raina Lyman, Senior Director of Economic Development, Envision Fond du Lac
• Craig Tebon, Executive Director, Ripon Main Street, Inc.
• Chad Kopitzke, Director, Small Business Development Center/UW-Oshkosh
• Loni Meiborg, Owner of Scoot’s Cafe
• Matt Trotter, Owner of Horseradish Kitchen & Market
• Kaleb Ranker, Owner of KDR Wood Design
• Todd Barman, Community Economic Development Specialist, University of Wisconsin, Division of Extension
• Angie Close, Executive Director, Langlade County Economic Development Corporation
• Sara Guild, Executive Director, Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation
• Olivia Otte, Executive Director, Green County Development Corporation
• Stephanie Hoskins, Chair, Lakeland University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Cassidy Wilbourne, Vice President, Small Business Relationship Manager, Associated Bank
• Victoria Thayer, President, Novii CPA
• Tabitha Pierce, Agent, American Family Insurance
• Jeff Glazer, Attorney & Clinical Professor, Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic, University of Wisconsin Law School
• Rachael Avery, Director, Thrasher Opera House
• Marci Reynolds, President, Waupaca Community Arts Board
• Kate Salas, Independent Artist, Director, Wisconsin Craft
• Dr. Choton Basu, Professor of Information Technology, UW-Whitewater
• Shauna Wessely, Director, Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce
• Rebecca Deschane, Vice President, Talent Development, New North
• Ann Flad-Jesion, Director of Entrepreneurship & Business Development, Progress Lakeshore
• Kristin Lambrecht, Owner, Kristin’s Kitchen Bakery
• Susan D’Arcy, Owner of Johnson and Black
• Beth Bosveld, Owner of GEAR
• Kurt Bauer, CEO, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
• Hillary Tweed, Vice President, Minnesota Community Support Program, Community Economic Development Associates
• Richard Gerstein, Founder, brandCHARGE
• Dave Knuth, Founder, Knuth Brewing Company
• Shelly Rothman, Executive Director, Foxhead Regenerative Agriculture Project
• Tracy Vinz, Olden Organics
• Ryan Prellwitz, Vines & Rushes Winery

Thank You to Our Housing Champion Sponsors!

We are proud to recognize and thank our Housing Champion Sponsors for their support of the Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit happening on May 7th in MIlwaukee.

Their commitment helps bring together local leaders, housing practitioners, and decision‑makers to advance practical, data‑driven solutions to strengthen housing across our region.

To learn more about our sponsors and register for the summit, visit:
go.wisc.edu/housingsummit

We are sincerely thankful to the generous sponsors who make the 2026 CEC Conference possible. Your commitment is essential in aid of our mission to help rural communities build strong foundations where entrepreneurs and small businesses can thrive.

Thank you to:
• WEDC / Office of Rural Prosperity
• Wisconsin Community Action Program
• Alliant Energy
• Fox Valley Technical College
• Rural Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Initiative
• Better Homes Real Estate
• City of Green Lake
• Green Lake Chamber
• Sean & Jo Ellen Madden
• Community Economic Development Associates
• Fortifi Bank
• Art MidWisconsin

There is still time to register!

For more information on this opportunity and more, follow the link: http://go.wisc.edu/cec

🚨 Reminder: Our first workshop is tomorrow in Green Bay!

Join us for a free regional workshop exploring the connection between broadband access and improved healthcare outcomes—and how it all supports local economic growth.

Together with community leaders, healthcare providers, and technology stakeholders, we will:

✔️ Explore how connectivity enhances quality of care and patient experiences
✔️ Identify gaps and opportunities in connected healthcare
✔️ Collaborate on practical solutions to improve access and equity

📍 Locations include Green Bay, Milwaukee & more
📅 Kicking off April 22 — that’s tomorrow!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of healthcare in your community.

🔗 Learn more & register: https://economicdevelopment.extension.wisc.edu/healthcareworkshops/

Broadband is transforming healthcare—and you can be part of the change.

Join these FREE workshops to:

✨ Discover how connectivity improves patient care
✨ Identify gaps in healthcare access
✨ Collaborate on real solutions

📍 Locations across Wisconsin
• Green Bay: April 22
• Dodgeville: May 6
• Rice Lake: May 19
• Milwaukee: June 2

Click the link to learn more!
🔗https://economicdevelopment.extension.wisc.edu/healthcareworkshops/

Ever feel like you're expected to know everything about your business—and still can't catch up?
Maybe it's because you aren't supposed to do it alone!
Join us for BAIL: Banker, Accountant, Insurance Agent, Lawyer—a 2026 CEC session designed to help you build the right team around your business. Learn how these experts can help you streamline your processes, minimize risk, analyze pricing and help you pay the right amount in taxes.

✨ Hear directly from professionals about how they support businesses
✨ Discover how to leverage their expertise effectively
✨ Learn how to assemble your own trusted advisory team
Stop trying to do it all—start building the team your business deserves. 💼

For more information on this opportunity and more, follow the link below:
http://go.wisc.edu/cec

Moderator:
👤 Isabella Sgriccia, Kiva Capital Access Manager, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation

Speakers:
👤 Cassidy Wilbourne, Vice President, Small Business Relationship Manager, Associated Bank
👤 Victoria Thayer, Accountant, Novii CPA
👤 Jeff Glazer, Attorney & Clinical Professor, Law & Entrepreneurship, University of Wisconsin Law School
👤 Claire Skivington-Green, Attorney, Athena Legal Solutions

⏰ Reminder: Healthcare in the Digital Age Workshops Start Soon!

Don’t miss your chance to join the upcoming workshops from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension.

Starting April 22, these free regional sessions will bring together community leaders, healthcare providers, and changemakers to explore how broadband can expand access to care and improve health outcomes.

📍 Locations: Green Bay, Rhinelander, Milwaukee & more
💡 Learn, collaborate, and help shape the future of healthcare in your community

Spots are limited—secure yours today!

🔗 Register now: https://economicdevelopment.extension.wisc.edu/healthcareworkshops/

🏘️Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit – May 7, 2026

UW–Madison Division of Extension invites community leaders, housing practitioners, nonprofit partners, and local officials to join us for the Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit, a regional gathering focused on strengthening housing opportunities across a 10‑county area in southeastern Wisconsin.

📅 May 7, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Zoofari Center, Milwaukee, WI

This full‑day summit will bring together voices from across the region to examine current housing data, explore emerging trends, and learn practical strategies for addressing local housing needs. Participants will gain tools and insights to support stronger, more resilient communities throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

💲 Early Bird Registration (open now): $70
💲 Regular Registration (opens 4/10): $85
Lunch and refreshments included.

Organizations interested in sponsoring the event or hosting a resource table are encouraged to contact us at [email protected].

🔗 Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/dkU36N6X

📍 Join us at a location near you!

Healthcare in the Digital Age workshops are coming to communities across Wisconsin:

✔️ Green Bay: April 22
✔️ Rhinelander: April 23
✔️ Dodgeville: May 6
✔️ Rice Lake: May 19
✔️ Milwaukee: June 2

Choose the location & date that works best for you and be part of the conversation on improving healthcare access through broadband.

🔗 Learn more & register: https://economicdevelopment.extension.wisc.edu/healthcareworkshops/