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Crawford County's program in Community Development strengthens communities by supporting strategic thinking & local decision making, and providing access to skills, information and resources related to planning & economic development
Program Links and Resources
Community Development Connection is a bi-monthly newsletter published by Crawford County UW Extension's program in Community Development. Articles focus on Events & Ideas in Community & Comprehensive Planning, Business & Economic Development, & Local Government. Please send submissions for the Newsletter by the 14th of the month. Newsletters are posted as  PDF documents. Read the January/February 2010 Issue
Newsletter archives: October/November 2009, August/September 2009, June/July 2009, April/May 09, February/March 09, December08/January09, October / November 2008 June/July 2008, April/May 2008, February 2008, December 2007, October 2007
View the Crawford County Economic and Small Business Development page
NEW!! 2010 Workshops and Webinars
Community Development in a Difficult Economy…Readying for the Rebound 2010 Wisline Workshops in Crawford County
These workshops are offered via phone and internet and are intended for citizens, economic development practitioners, and local officials. Workshops are free but participants are asked to register at least one week in advance by contacting the Crawford County UW extension Office at 608-326-0223. Location will be either Prairie du Chien, Seneca, or Gays Mills depending on registrants. Read more about this program and access promgram materials.
February 16, 2010 – Retaining and Attracting People as an Economic Development Strategy
Community Development Educator Will Andresen, University of Wisconsin-Extension Iron County
Did you know that according to Live First, Work Second author Rebecca Ryan 3 out of 4 Americans respond that a cool city is more important than a good job? But that doesn’t represent us, right? Michigan’s Cool Cities Survey found nearly 7 in 10 recent college graduates agreed as did almost 75% of young people Iron Co. Wisconsin (pop. 6,197) and Gogebic Co. Michigan (pop. 16,043). Learn why a focus on retaining and attracting young professionals may be one of the most important community building strategies you employ—and why being a “cool city” may be even more important in your community than Seattle or St. Paul.
March 16, 2010 – Housing and Other Critical Sectors: Assessing and Building Our Economy
Community Development Specialist Matt Kures, University of Wisconsin-Extension Center for Community & Economic Development and Economics Associate Professor Russ Kashian, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Fiscal and Economic Research Center
We’ve all read the terrible statistics about the housing crisis, plant closing and job losses, and the declining tax base. But what do we really know about our community and how it is performing? How have things truly changed over time and how do they compare to similar markets? Perhaps of even more importance, what lessons can we learn from these assessments and how can we use them to make our communities stronger? Learn about practical tools you can use to measure your community’s economic performance and how to use this information to help shape policies to grow the economy.
2009- 2010 Crawford County Area Economic Snapshots (click links below to download image file)
These new Economic Snapshots are intended to give you a "point in time" look at one indicator in our economy. While they may not explain why things are changing in the economy they can certainly help us to start asking some tough questions. Please contact us if you would like reprint these snapshots for community newsletters or newspapers 608-326-0223.
Download snapshots (gif image files)
Resources For Small Town Economies in Tough Times
In tough times like these, small communities like Prairie du Chien, Ferryville, Seneca, and Gays Mills may find it difficult to compete with larger communities for jobs and tax base. According to several articles in the Winter issue of the Land Use Tracker, these communities are better off focusing on characteristics of “livability” than on economic development strategies traditionally used by larger communities (i.e. attracting large industry). Read “Liveable Communities: A Blueprint for Small Communities” and “Planning for Walkable/Bikeable Communities” online at
Downtown Economics is a newsletter published by the UW Extension Center for Community and Economic Development.
Latest issues:
- Helping Downtown Businesses During Difficult Economic Times.
- Consumer Behavior During Difficult Economic Times (November 2008, No. 147)
- Identifying Businesses in Trouble During Difficult Economic Times (October 2008, No. 146)
Communities practice economic and tourism development to improve the well being of local residents. Successful community economic development supports a diverse range of industries, makes the most of a community's unique character and resorces, and builds the capacity of local residents and organizations. For many of Wisconsin's rural communities, including Crawford County, tourism plays and important role in achieving these goals.
Wisconsin Department of Tourism "Tourism's Economic Impact Report May 2008"
Crawford County Tourism Assessment 2007-2008
A Study of Local Food Networks in Crawford- Vernon Counties: Food and Culture Tourism Study Reports
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Madison and the University Extension conducted this survey in 2008 to evaluate the impact of food and agritourism in Crawford and Vernon Counties. This three part report includes surveys of food producers, food retailers that specialize in marketing local foods, and food related festivals.
Crawford County Festival Tourism Reports 2008
Tourist Survey Data and attendee maps by zip code are available for the 2208 Apple Fest in Gays Mills, Driftless Area Art Festival, Kickapoo Brave Ride, and Crawford County Fair. Contact Laura brown 608-326-0223 or laura.brown@ces.uwex.edu to obtain copies of these reports.
A comprehensive plan outlines a community’s long term vision and goals for the future. The plan serves as the community’s guide for land use, transportation, agricultural natural and cultural resources, housing, transportation, utilities and community facilities, economic development and provides specific recommendations for ways to implement goals in each of these areas. Counties, towns, or villages in Wisconsin that wish touse zoning or subdivision regulations must have their own comprehensive plan in place by January 1, 2010 to comply with state statutes.
Public Meeting and Hearing Requirements and Procedures
Open Meetings Law Requirements (8 pages, pdf, 177KB)
Simple Open Meetings Law Power Point (28 pages, pdf, 1MB)
Wisconsin Comprehensive Planning Legislation (10 pages, pdf, 144KB)
You'll find agenda's minutes, meeting annoucements, draft chapters and more information about the county planning process on the Crawford County Comprehensive Planning Website. The following communities have also posted links or draft chapters on the county website( note that maps and appendices are not included in the links below and are available from the UW Extension office upon request). The information below is provided in PDF format unless otherwise noted.
Town of Haney DRAFT pdf
Village of Desoto DRAFT pdf
Village of Bell Center DRAFT pdf
Town of Seneca (links to planner website)
Town and Village of Wauzeka DRAFT
City of Prairie du Chien Downtown Plan and Comprehensive Plan
Village of Gays Mills
Getting Started: What is Comprehensive Planning?
Getting Started: Learn About Wisconsin Comprehensive Planning Statute
Engaging Public Input and Participation
Writing the Plan
Data to Use in Your Plan: Demographics & Statistics
Note: In 2007 Crawford County conducted a countywide survey for the county comprehensive plan. The results of this survey are now available by town. Please contact the Crawford County UW Extension office to receive a memo summary of the survey results for your town . Completed town survey results are listed below.
A Study of Local Food Networks in Crawford- Vernon Counties: Food and Culture Tourism Study Reports
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Madison and the University Extension conducted this survey in 2008 to evaluate the impact of food and agritourism in Crawford and Vernon Counties. This three part report includes surveys of food producers, food retailers that specialize in marketing local foods, and food related festivals.
LOCAL FOOD NETWORKS SUMMARY REPORT October, 2009
An Evaluation of Food and Culture Tourism Restaurants and Retailers Report
An Evaluation of Food and Culture Tourism Producer Survey Report
An Evaluation of Food and Culture Tourism Festivals Report
Community Kitchen Incubator Survey
Are you or is someone you know might interested in starting a food related business in the Crawford-Vernon County area? Crawford and Vernon Counties are currently guaging local interest in community commercial incubator kitchens. The proposed facilities would be fully certified, include commercially equipped kitchen and would offer business support services to local growers and producers of food products, caterers, restaurants, chefs, special event food vendors, bakers, groups or organizations. the Crawford COunty UW Extension office partnered with several local incubator projects to complete a Kitchen Incubator Survey in the Spring of 2009. Read the results Crawford Vernon Kitchen Incubator Survey below:
Crawford Vernon Kitchen Incubator Survey Results Memo 8-2009
Update on the Southwest Food and Farming Economy Report by Ken Meter
Ken Meter's Compiled Data
Powerpoint Presentation
Local Food Directories
2009 Directory of Local Food in Southwest Wisconsin (pdf)- Includes farms that market direct to consumers as well as markets in Crawford, Vernon, Richland, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, and Vernon Counties. This is produced by Local Fare a regional local foods network based at UW Platteville. Copies of this Atlas are available at the UW Extension Office.
2009 Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas Website - allows you to search for farms, markets, or restuarants by product. This is produced by REAP Food Group based in Madison. View a map of Local Farms on the 2009 Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas (pdf) Copies of this Atlas are available at the UW Extension Office.
Community Supported Agriculture
What is CSA?
CSA is a unique social and economic arrangement between local households and farmers who work together to share the responsibility of producing and delivering fresh food. Households support the farm by paying an annual fee in the winter or spring that entitles them to a "share" of the season's harvest. Once harvesting begins, members pick-up a weekly box of fresh foods which may include produce, fruits, cheeses, eggs, meats, poultry, flowers, herbs or preserves. Read more about CSA at www.macsac.org.
Farms with CSA drop sites in Crawford County:
Note: Many CSA's have drop sites in Viroqua in Vernon County. View the Atlas Directories above to find farms serving Vernon County. Know of other farms with drop sites in Crawford COunty? Let us know! 608-326-0223
Area Farmer's Markets
Gays Mills Farmers Market
EVERY Thursday evening from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
June 4 - October 1st
Location: Lions Club Park
Contact Sharon Murphy at (608) 624-3409
smm@bumail.bradley.edu
NEW!! Marquette McGregor Farmers Market
Friday evenings
Location: Downtown McGregor.
Contact Sasha Dull at (563) 873-2186
mac-marq@alpinecom.net
Ferryville Market in the Park
Locally grown produce, including local artisans and Amish-made goods
May through October, Saturdays, 9am to 5pm
Location: Sugar Creek Park, Hwy 35, south end of Ferryville
Contact: Ali C. Spurr, (608) 734-3400
www.visitferryville.com
Prairie du Chien Farmers’ Market
June through mid-October, Saturdays, 6am to 11:30am
Location: Blackhawk Junction, 700 E. Blackhawk Ave., Hwy 27
Contact: Barb Fox at (563) 539-2027
The statewide Farm to School AmeriCorps program awarded Crawford County two farm to school Americorps members in both 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 that will bring locally grown foods to area schools. Americorps members Kathleen Hein and Marty Green provide nutritional education and work with local farms to source foods from local farms for meal and snack programs in Seneca, Wauzeka, and Prairie du Chien School Districts. You can learn more about what's happening with farm to school in Crawford County by visiting the links below:
Contact the Farm to School americorps Members for more information
Sustainable development is defined in the “Brundtland Report” as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Recently, emphasis has shifted to the science of sustainability and a focus on the core principles of ecological limits. Regardless of the definition or approach, there is a broadly shared sense that sustainable development explicitly recognizes the interconnections and relationships between the economy, society, and the environment. Concepts of sustainability can guide improved programming in Extension and better planning and development in society at all levels from individual business plans to international policy.
University of Wisconsin Sustsinability Team Capacity Center
Access University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Resources, tools, and case studies about eco-municipalities, energy efficiency and climate change, economic development, planning and land use, consumer choices. Learn about upcoming events related to sustsinability Visit the Capacity Center
2008- 2009 Building Communities Educational Wisline Series: Focus on Sustainability
Building Communities Websinar Education Series: Focus on Sustainability is a monthly class that met every second Tuesday through 2009 at City Hall in Prairie du Chien . These workshops are offered to the public for no fee thanks to our local sponsor, Vierbicher Associates.
Access audio archives, powerpoint slides, and supplemental learning materials for the following programs by clicking here
- Setting the Stage: Sustainability and Sustainable Community Development
- Energy Efficiency
- Renewable Energy
- Sustainability and Comprehensive Planning
- Sustainable Business Practices and Strategies
- Green Collar Jobs: Sustainable Work in a Low Carbon World
- Local Food Networks: Food Localization as a Sustainability Sustainability Indicators and Measurement
- Community Organizing for Sustainability
Wisconsin Megatrends Fact Sheets
learn more about the past, present, and future of major trends over long periods of time in the state of Wisconsin. This project is designed to help Wisconsin decision-makers – from legislators and local officials to landowners and recreationalists – make informed decisions about the future of Wisconsin. Read more about Forests, Housing, Recreation, Energy, Climate Change...
FLOOD RECOVERY RESOURCES are available online.
" From Saturday, August 18 through Sunday, August 19, 2007, southwestern Wisconsin received over twelve inches of rain causing extreme overland and river flooding along the Kickapoo River. The villages of Gays Mills and Soldiers Grove and nearby rural areas were most affected; at its peak the Kickapoo River at Gays Mills reached a crest of 19.79 feet or 6.79 feet above flood stage. According to County Sheriff Jerry Moran (as printed in the Crawford County Independent on August 23, 2007) “It’s the worst flooding we’ve ever seen…worse than the 1978 flood for sure.” The previous river peak record was set at 19.8 feet in 1978 and serious flooding had occurred in the area, on average, every 20 years or so. In a report of the August flooding event, the La Crosse National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration writes “When asked to provide a recurrence interval estimate for this event, an investigator should note the enormous gap between the 100-year 24-hour threshold (six inches), and the fifteen or more inches that fell during a 24-hour period on that ill-fated weekend.” The report places the probability of the flood “considerably below” one percent and closer to a 1,000 year flood." - from Center for Land Use Tracker Spring 08 Article WITH GROWING HOPE: A STUDY OF THE AUGUST 2007 KICKAPOO FLOOD IN THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS By Laura Brown, Crawford County Community Development Educator
Flood Response
Information for Taxpayers Affected by Flooding
Taxpayers affected by flooding are encouraged to view a new IRS publication 4492-B, “Information for Affected Taxpayers in the Midwestern Disaster Area,” available online at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4492b.pdf Publication 970 on Education Credits is also helpful. Other important forms include: Form 8914 Exemption Amount for Taxpayers Housing Midwestern Displaced Individuals, Form 982 Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness, and Form 8930 Qualified Disaster Recovery Assistance Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments. For more information contact Kathy Mostowski at 414 231-2147 or at Kathleen.M.Mostowik@irs.gov.
Public Meeting and Hearing Requirements and Procedures
Open Meetings Law Requirements (8 pages, pdf, 177KB)
Simple Open Meetings Law Power Point (28 pages, pdf, 1MB)
Wisconsin Comprehensive Planning Legislation (10 pages, pdf, 144KB)
WisLines
These wislines are offered by the University of Wisconsin Extension Local Government Center via telephone. You may register and listen in from the local Extension office in Prairie du Chien. For all WisLines listed: Fees $20 and are available at any WisLine site. Contact WisLine Registrations at (608) 262-0810 or consult the registration brochure online:
The Crawford County Community Fund (CCCF), a charitable component of CFSW, will allow individuals and groups to contribute time and money toward the betterment of Crawford County. CFSW is a tax-exempt, publicly supported, nonprofit organization whose mission is to match personal philanthropy with community need. CCCF’s goal is to build a permanent endowment fund to support both current and future needs of the county through charitable grants made from the investment earnings. As the Fund grows through financial gifts and wise investment, the size and number of grants grow as well.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura Brown
Community Development Educator
Crawford County - UW Cooperative Extension
225 N. Beaumont, Suite 240
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Phone: 608-326-0224
Fax: 608-326-0226
Email: laura.brown@ces.uwex.edu
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