Village of Belleville Welcomed into State's Downtown Revitalization Program
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The Village of Belleville has been accepted into the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)’s Connect Communities Program, an initiative that works with communities to advance downtown and urban corridor revitalization efforts.
The Village of Belleville is one of 11 communities around the state that will join the program for fiscal year 2023, bringing the total number of participants to 95. The Connect Communities Program, which was launched in January of 2013, provides access to resources and training to help communities pursue revitalization and redevelopment efforts. In its first nine years, participating communities have reported adding 505 net new businesses and more than 1,700 jobs, as well as $3.4 billion in private investment.
“WEDC congratulates the Village of Belleville for being accepted into this program,” said Missy Hughes, Secretary and CEO of WEDC. “A vibrant downtown or neighborhood commercial district is key to the overall economic health of the community, and we applaud the Village of Belleville for taking this step toward making its business district even stronger.”
“We have high hopes for the success of all new Connect Communities members,” added WEDC Downtown Development Program Manager Errin Welty. “We have heard from communities around the state that this program has provided them with the guidance and assistance they need as they work to develop and support local revitalization efforts.”
According to the Village of Belleville’s Chair of the Economic Development Commission, Marie Barry, “Belleville’s downtown is a diamond in the rough. The core group of committed local business owners and proximity of parks and the river have provided a wonderful start for our downtown to grow from. I look forward to utilizing the resources of the Connect Communities program to bring its new entrepreneurs, increase foot traffic, and shape our downtown to better serve the wants and needs of our growing community.”
Connect Communities participants benefit from a variety of assistance and resources simply by being part of a broad-based network of communities with similar objectives, but specific program services include: An online networking and discussion group to get new ideas from staff and other participating Connect Communities; Participation in Main Street workshops focused on a downtown revitalization topic; An on-site visit from a member of WEDC’s community development staff to assist in identifying needs and helping achieve local vision; Training for downtown director, board president or municipal staff; Roundtable discussion groups on pertinent topics; Access to WEDC’s downtown development online library; Access to resources and training materials developed for Wisconsin Main Street communities; Invitation to the annual Main Street Awards program, plus eligibility to nominate a project for a Connect Communities award; Quarterly webinars/regional training.
To be admitted to the program, each applicant community provided an overview of the existing condition of their downtown/commercial district, identified key individuals that will be involved in revitalization efforts, and identified near term goals that they hope to achieve within their district.
The new Connect Communities participants are: Village of Belleville; City of Clintonville; City of Phillips; Village of Catawba; City of Medford; Prosperity SW Small Communities Cohort: Argyle, Boaz, Browntown, Cassville, Dickeyville, Lone Rock.
For more information, please contact the Village of Belleville at (608) 424-3341.
