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North Central Wisconsin
Regional Planning Commission
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Serving Adams, Forest, Juneau, Langlade, Lincoln,
Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas, and Wood Counties since 1973
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Wausau Metro Area Regional Housing Assessment Update
NCWRPC Adopts Economic Resilience Amendment to CEDS
Governor Announces Release of 2022 Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access Report
WHEDA 2022 Housing Grant Now Open
DNR's Outdoor Recreation Funding - Urban Projects Now Eligible
Community Economic Analysis for Rural Wisconsin Communities Pilot Initiative
Main Street Bounceback Grants Update
County Economic Profiles Updated
EMSI Analyst Reports
NCWRPC Commissioners
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Wausau Metro Area Regional
Housing Assessment Update
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Marathon County and the Villages of Kronenwetter, Maine, Marathon City, Rothschild, and Weston, Cities of Schofield and Wausau, and Town of Rib Mountain have requested NCWRPC conduct a housing assessment for the eight communities.
Data collection over Spring and Summer 2022 found that the area is growing, but also aging, with more people living alone and staying longer in their homes as they age compared to the past. There is an abundance of middle-class housing, but the supply is constrained due to the lack of low-income housing and higher-end housing. This was determined by comparing households’ income to rent and purchase prices in the area. Therefore, housing of all types and prices is needed to address regional demand, with up to 2,000 units needed by 2025 and another 1,100 needed by 2030.
During late summer and fall, NCWRPC is involving the public with an online survey and series of 3 open houses to occur this fall. These activities will wrap up by the end of October, with the final report being completed by December 2022. The final report will summarize all findings and provide strategies for individual communities to consider to address strong regional housing demand and affordability concerns.
For more information about the Wausau Metro Area Regional Housing Assessment, please contact Sam Wessel at [email protected] or by calling 715-849-5510, Extension 303.
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NCWRPC Adopts Economic Resilience Amendment
to CEDS
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On July 27th, the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission officially adopted an amendment to their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to include an Economic Resilience Chapter.
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) defines resilience broadly as “an area’s ability to prevent, withstand, and quickly recover from major disruptions (or shocks) to its economic base.” The EDA further explains that economic resilience contains three primary attributes: “the ability to recover quickly from a shock, the ability to withstand a shock, and the ability to avoid the shock altogether.”
The Economic Resilience Chapter examines how we can improve economic resilience throughout North Central Wisconsin by addressing issues facing each of the five foundational pillars expected to have a major impact on the future prosperity of the North Central Wisconsin Region. Addressing these issues will help the Region better respond to, withstand, and ultimately avoid future economic shock events.
For more information about the addition of the Economic Resilience Chapter to our CEDS, please contact Eric Sonnleitner at [email protected] or by calling 715-849-5510, Extension 306.
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Governor Announces Release of 2022 Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access Report |
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On July 12, 2022 Governor Tony Evers announced the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access released its second annual report. Building on findings from the 2021 report, the 2022 report provides an update on efforts under Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration to expand access, adoption, and affordability of high-speed internet across the state and makes recommendations for the state to continue building on this progress.
“High-speed internet is absolutely critical to helping folks learn, work, and stay connected to important services, and since 2019, we’ve made tremendous progress in getting Wisconsinites connected by funding projects that will provide new or improved broadband to over 387,000 homes and businesses all across our state,” said Gov. Evers. “I want to thank the many experts, stakeholders, public officials, and industry leaders who have been working on this task force for the past two years for providing smart, strategic recommendations of steps our state can take to get communities connected by expanding the access, adoption, and affordability of internet for families, businesses, and folks across our state.”
Among others, the 2022 report includes recommendations to:
- Sustain the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program funding in order to leverage federal funds projects and support local projects not eligible for federal funding;
- Create a guide to assist communities and local leaders in broadband and digital equity planning efforts;
- Create technical assistance programs to guide communities in developing broadband plans and navigating funding opportunities;
- Encourage and support coordination with Tribal governments in broadband planning, resources deployment, and funding;
- Develop a statewide Digital Navigator Program to assist under-connected people and solve a wide range of adoption issues;
- Develop and improve outreach for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program; and
- Continue advancing the goals from the 2021 Task Force Report.
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WHEDA 2022 Housing Grant Now Open |
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The application cycle for WHEDA's 2022 Housing Grant Cycle is now open. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and the WHEDA Foundation, Inc. annually offer grant funds through the Housing Grant Program competition. The Program's mission is to assist in the improvement of the state's housing for special needs populations such as veterans, physically impaired or disabled persons, domestic abuse victims, runaways, homeless persons, and more.
A total of $1,000,000 will be awarded for the 2022 cycle with awards to be announced in December. Maximum individual grant award is $50,000 per project. The grants are for physical improvements such as rehabilitation, accessibility features and new construction.
Who Can Apply?
- Nonprofit organizations or cooperatives organized under Chapters 181, 185, or 187 of the Wisconsin Statutes
- Community development, redevelopment and housing authorities
- Local units of government
- Native American tribal authorities
For application materials and to apply, visit: https://www.wheda.com/Housing-Grant-Program/. For program inquiries, please contact [email protected]. On this page you will also find a list of past award winners and a list of projects that were completed with funds granted. Applications are due by August 26th, 2022 with announcements being made in late December.
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DNR's Outdoor Recreation Funding -
Urban Projects Now Eligible
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May 1st of every year is still the deadline to apply for up to 50% matching outdoor recreation funds from a variety of funds that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages.
One application is used to access three programs--Stewardship, Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and Recreational Trails Program (RTP).
Nature-based projects (parkland, restrooms, & trailheads) were always eligible under the State's Stewardship program. Trails of all types were always fundable under Recreational Trails Program (FTP)--a federal program.
NEW: Since passage of the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, LWCF is permanently and fully funded at $900 million annually, nationwide. What this means in Wisconsin is that more park projects that include splash pads, playgrounds, and skateparks are now more easily fundable up to 50%.
Having the project listed in a county or local outdoor recreation plan is still a requirement to access this funding.
As with other federal programs, LWCF funds cannot be locally matched with other federal money from COVID or elsewhere.
For the best chance of successfully getting funded, a community should first contact their local DNR program staff (see Page 4) and discuss their project before applying:
Contact Fred Heider at [email protected] or by calling 715-849-5510, Extension 310 with any outdoor recreation questions, especially if you need to update your list of projects in an outdoor recreation plan, or to update your community’s plan. |
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Community Economic Analysis for Rural Wisconsin Communities Pilot Initiative |
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The Community Economic Development Program is pleased to accept applications for the Community Economic Analysis for Rural Wisconsin Communities (CEA-RWC) Pilot Initiative supported by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
What?
A joint effort between the University of Wisconsin, the Division of Extension, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to bring a structured community economic development strategic planning program to a set of rural Wisconsin communities.
When?
Accepting applications NOW through August 15, 2022. Pilot communities will be notified of acceptance no later than September 1, 2022 and will work with Extension and WEDC upon acceptance through June 30, 2024.
Who?
This pilot program is open to rural places in Wisconsin including local communities, rural regions, rural counties, and tribal communities. Population size for pilot communities should fall between 1,000 and 7,500 people.
Why?
Extension and WEDC aim to understand the challenges for rural Wisconsin communities working on and executing community economic development plans. These efforts will provide valuable insight into establishing a process and pathway that other rural communities throughout Wisconsin can engage in as they develop and look to execute comprehensive community economic development planning in their community.
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Main Street Bounceback Grants Program Update |
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The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is partnering with the NCWRPC to administer the Main Street Bounceback Grants program which provides $10,000 grants to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant properties in Wisconsin's downtowns and commercial corridors.
To date, the NCWRPC has received over 380 applications for the Main Street Bounceback Grants program and has awarded 343 applications throughout the Region. The NCWRPC is continuing to accept applications for the Main Street Bounceback Grants program until funding runs out, or through December 31, 2022, whichever comes first.
Eligible businesses can use the grant funds for lease or mortgage payments, operating expenses, building repairs, tenant improvements, and other qualified expenses. Funds cannot be used on storage spaces or for residential uses.
As part of this program, the NCWRPC is providing one-time funds to organizations that have leased or purchased vacant commercial properties as of January 1, 2021 or will do so by December 31, 2022. New or established businesses and non-profit organizations are all eligible, as long as you are not vacating another existing commercial space in Wisconsin.
Click here to learn more about the Main Street Bounceback Grants program. If your organization is interested in applying, please fill out the interest form on the bottom of the page to be contacted by someone at our organization. You can also visit our website to find application materials and learn more about the application process. Interested applicants can contact us directly via email at: [email protected] or by phone at 715-849-5510.
To download an application, please click here. Note that completed applications should be sent to [email protected].
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County Economic Profiles - Updated |
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Every few years, NCWRPC updates basic demographic and economic development information in the form of County Profiles. These County Profiles provide a snapshot of current economic trends and opportunities for economic growth. Each County Profile also contains a map of business park locations as well as contacts for various economic development agencies and programs. Trends examined within each County Profile include:
- Major Transportation Networks
- Post-Secondary Education
- Healthcare
- Major Employers & Employment
- Wages & Income
- Population
- Housing Units & Monthly Housing Costs
For more information about the updated County Economic Profiles, please contact Sam Wessel at [email protected] or by calling 715-849-5510, Extension 303. |
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The NCWRPC continues its partnership with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to provide economic development analysis data throughout the Region. A comprehensive economic modeling program, called Analyst, developed by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) is a tool that provides industry/ occupation data, impact assessments, and economic base analysis information.
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Adams County
Rocky Gilner
Rick Pease
Jami Gebert
Juneau County
Jerry Niles
Kenneth Winters
Betty Manson
Lincoln County
Loretta Baughan
Gene Simon
Hans Breitenmoser
Oneida County
Ted Cushing
Harland Lee
Steven Schreier
Vilas County
Robert Hanson
Jay Verhulst
Appointment Pending
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Forest County
Cindy Gretzinger
Paul Millan
William Chaney
Langlade County
Reinhardt Balcerzak
Angela Close
Ronald Nye
Marathon County
Daniel Guild
Craig McEwen
David Oberbeck
Portage County
Allen Haga Jr.
John Pavelski
Larry Raikowski
Wood County
Jason Grueneberg
Douglas Machon
Dave LaFontaine
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North Central Wisconsin
Regional Planning Commission
210 McClellan Street, Suite 210
Wausau, WI 54403
715-849-5510
Fax: 715-849-5110
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