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 19, 2004 - David Beurle to Headline Major Community Announcement Thursday, April 22 David Beurle, world -renowned expert on rural leadership and innovative community economic development, headlines the public launch of the Community Progress Initiative on Thursday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m. in Centralia Center. As founder and managing director of Innovative Leadership in Australia, Beurle has transformed the economy and culture of communities throughout his home continent and the United States. His innovative approach to building vibrant communities has inspired people of all ages to get out and make a positive change in the world they live in. Participants of the launch will hear Beurle’s captivating “Make it Happen” message and learn from “Be Positive – Be Involved” examples. Speaking on new economic development opportunities and specific leadership offerings will be Connie Loden, executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance. Present at the launch will be the 2004 Heart of Wisconsin Community Leadership Program graduates. Their final session of the course, Influencing Change, is earlier that day. “The information I learned in Leadership, like conflict management and a knowledge of the governmental and educational systems’ structures, easily apply to both my career and personal life,” comments 2004 graduate, Andy Reitz, director of grower services and agricultural research and development for Northland Cranberries. A Wisconsin Rapids native who moved with his wife to the east coast for sometime, only to return later, Reitz adds that it’s the relationships he made in Leadership that contributes to his enthusiasm for living here. “The friendships we made while working on our small group projects were lasting friendships that have fostered a real sense of community. This leadership opportunity has really helped me feel a part of the future of Wisconsin Rapids – I now know how I can make a difference and I plan to do so.” Building capacity at a local level is the message Kelly Lucas, president and CEO of Community Foundation of South Wood County, will offer to participants at the launch. “Each community has the opportunity, through strong local leadership and a shared vision to achieve their goals. We have the knowledge and are committing resources to partner with communities to make it happen,” Lucas explains. Existing businesses throughout the region have begun to pledge support of the initiative’s plans and efforts. Loden shares, “We have received great support for this Initiative, as businesses recognize the need, see the opportunities programming can open up, and want to be behind making it happen.” Stora Enso North America has long pledged its support of community development programming, fulfilling roles on each of the two partnering organizations’ board of directors and even donating the paper on which this project’s materials are printed. Explains Lars Bengtsson, president of Stora Enso North America, “We support and look forward to being part of the Community Progress Initiative. It is an exciting proposition for us. We will benefit from both progress and unity to make this a strong community now and into the future.” The Community Progress Initiative launch is open to people of all ages and interests.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome