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WEDC Secretary Highlights Move To Aid The Rural Economy

WEDC

The Secretary of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation says the agency will be working hard to use a new office to help rural Wisconsin's economy.

Missy Hughes says a key is Governor Tony Evers creation of the Office of Rural Prosperity which is inside WEDC...

"..The intent behind that office is to be a one-stop-shop for rural communities as they come forward with a project, we can help them leverage the state resources through all the different departments and make sure that project comes to fruition but also is as big and great as the community wants it to be...."

She says when Evers created a blue-ribbon commission on rural prosperity to provide voices from rural Wisconsin that come together and hold listening sessions. After those sessions, they will make recommendations to Evers on strategies for rural economic development. She says a good example of a prospering business is Hometown Trolley in Crandon which she recently visited.

She says the visit there showed what can happen ......

"It was spectacular. To see these trolleys being made in this little town and the idea that Kristina(Pence-Dunow) had when it started years and years ago and move forward. In 1992-93 making two or three trolleys a year, and now they're projecting 120. They're shipping them all around the world Those kinds of projects are the things I'm seeing throughout the state..."

Hughes says rural Wisconsin faces some challenges, including a lack of housing, good health care access, and education. She says she would like to see WEDC help bring communities the resources that they need.

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