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 November 20, 2004 By Colin Atagi, Daily Tribune Staff Some Wisconsin Rapids area residents are touring Australia to gather ideas about how they can help their community back home. Community Progress Initiative group members arrived in Melbourne on Nov. 8, and have been making their way to other parts of the country. The Australian communities set an example Wisconsin Rapids could follow, said Bill Lubing, executive director of the Arts Council of South Wood County in an online journal. Lubing used Tom O'Toole as an example of the difference individual people can make. O'Toole, who owns the Beechworth Bakery in Beechworth, Australia, takes the time to promote the local community as much as his own business. O'Toole thinks it isn't necessary to be "hugely better" than the competition to have a successful business, Lubing said. Tourism is a strong industry in Australia, in part because the country has good schools, health care and an overall healthy environment, key components to building a strong industry. The trip should be beneficial, said Nan Taylor, business manager of the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance. "If you've lived in one area all your life, (visiting other communities) is an opportunity to recharge and think outside the box," she said. "They are having the full experience." The group visited restaurants, bakeries, wineries and other businesses that have built upon the tourism industry. The businesses have explored the concept of regional branding, which means they find a niche market in an area. It's a strategy that has also been discussed for south Wood County. "There's a theme that runs through these rural communities, that being successful has a lot to do with people stepping up to the plate and getting on board," Taylor said. Lubing wrote about the Gippsland Region's business area that's been designed around the "Gourmet Deli Country Region" concept. "Local entrepreneurs put together a gourmet deli trail, offering opportunities for visitors to map out a day trip where they could sample a variety of the region's gourmet offerings," Lubing wrote. Other details about the trip are available on the Community Progress Initiative's Web site. The group will return to Wisconsin Rapids Nov. 24. You can reach Colin Atagi at 422-6728 or at catagi@wisconsinrapidstribune.com.
		Copyright © 2004, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome