A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News April 21, 2005 - Cluster take note from city to aid in downtown's rebirth By Jackie Bredl-Dietrich and Larrie Hayes, for Daily Tribune Why did 10 members of the Community Progress Initiative's Downtown Cluster team drive to experience Baraboo? Well, our community is committed to examining the challenges and efforts of other communities comparable to our own. In a continuing quest to improve downtown Wisconsin Rapids, our team agreed to swap impressions with residents of Baraboo. Baraboo residents planned to visit Wisconsin Rapids to derive their own set of impressions of our city. These impressions will re-affirm the Downtown Cluster's objectives or offer suggestions for new ones. The idea was crafted by the Center for Community Economic Development of the University of Wisconsin Extension and the Downtown Cluster team. So how are business owners enticed into expanding their wares downtown? Plaques and store fronts depicted Baraboo's past life, and that identity connected pleasantly to all those found strolling around the Square that day. Members visited with Paul Fritsch, a drug store owner and incubator for downtown. Of modest means, Fritsch recognized the future value in saving a historical downtown. Ten years ago, Fritsch bought an opera house building, renovated it and invested in a marketplace of 10 or more diverse retail offerings for residents and visitors. Business owners lease space from Fritsch, and as they grow successful businesses, expand into their own buildings in and around the Square. He fostered a cooperative arrangement among business owners, city government and community members after quitting his job as a teacher to purchase and improve the downtown building. Many businesses spawned out of this key marketplace building. Fritsch said local residents support the businesses. And, the shop owners indicated they cater to residents as a result of their support. Cooperative marketing, creating incentives for downtown retail owners and business mentoring created a positive environment for retail growth. Fritsch has sponsored area-wide contests for shop owners, and there's the efficiency of sharing services that creates a tight relationship among the business owners. We'd like to investigate what incentives could be employed in our own downtown, said Gary Rosencrans, owner of Gary's Coin on West Grand Avenue and committed Downtown Cluster member. Up to 50 members and six sub-committees make up the Downtown Revitalization Cluster of the Community Progress Initiative. The team inspires new entrepreneurs, existing businesses and is investigating ways to obtain grants and loans for historic preservation and renovation and to expand public art and build off existing events to promote our downtown as a destination, said Jackie Bredl-Dietrich, co-chairwoman of the cluster. She owns a historic home downtown and is sole proprietor of Whole Life Visions. Larrie Hayes of Wood County National Bank serves the Downtown Cluster as co-chairman. The team meets every three weeks from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays at predetermined locations throughout downtown. All residents are invited to participate. For more information, call the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance at 422-4856.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome