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This Sunday April 27, 2025
The Nature Place
789 Myrick Park Drive
La Crosse, WI

Family friendly free event in Myrick Park and the Nature Place! 

Enjoy kid’s activities, live raptor presentations, Nature Place Critter Mobiles, Green Goose Chase team celebration, insect presentations, games, live music, vendors, farmer’s market and more!

Event hosted by: Sustainability Institute & The Nature Place   ...Full Story Here

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LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Summer fun in Wisconsin means a lot of things to a lot of people. Whether your fun is found on (or in) the water, grilling some backyard delights or all things sports, we can all agree that music is a major part of what makes summer so hot! That is why those three months of the year are jam-packed with music festivals of all sorts and the Cheese State is home to a bevy of fantastic ones!

No matter your favorite genre, I promise you will find a music festival made just for you. There are blues festivals, rock festivals, country festivals, folk, bluegrass, classical, noise, EDM, emo, and a whole bunch of other made-up words that describe the newest sound coming out of someone’s speaker. I thought I would share some of my favorite Wisconsin Music festivals

1) Ashley for the Arts

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Ken Notes: And don`t forget Moon Tunes...

May 6-9, 2025

This free event offers flexible scheduling. You choose the virtual and in-person sessions that meet your needs.

Review the agenda

Register Now

As many small business owners will tell you, there’s the part you’re passionate about—and then there’s all the other stuff that comes with owning a business. You know, all the financial, legal, marketing, logistical, and technological work it takes to run a business.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Small Business Academy offers practical advice from business owners who have successfully made it through the initial stages of starting and growing their companies.

It also features workshops that cover topics like:

•     Financing options
•     Legal concerns
•     Regulatory issues
•     Information technology
•     Small business certifications
•     Identifying markets and sales opportunities

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PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. – When you drive into the newest housing development in Prairie du Chien, the first thing you see is the solar field – a solar energy installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels that is converting sunlight into electricity. Prairie Eco Cottages, developed by Couleecap and the Gerrard Corporation, is providing 24 units of affordable, quality housing to income eligible workers, seniors, and disabled residents. The development is also powered by solar energy.

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Cheese, farmland, and Packers fans may dominate Wisconsin’s headlines, but a lesser-known side of the Badger State teems with playful eccentricities that defy every cliché. Away from the popular lakes and dairy barns lies a network of small towns marching to their own distinctive beat, towns that revel in troll statues, cling to steep river bluffs, and host weekly markets brimming with idiosyncratic treasures...

Stockholm

Stockholm sits gracefully on the banks of Lake Pepin in Pepin County. With a population hovering around 70, its vibrant artistic community contrasts sharply with its small size. This locality was founded in 1854 by immigrants from Sweden and has retained a distinct Scandinavian influence, evident in local crafts and cultural celebrations. Its remarkable attraction is the annual Stockholm Art Fair, drawing artists and enthusiasts from across the region to celebrate local and regional creativity.

Alma

Alma, Wisconsin, perched along the Mississippi River in Buffalo County, is noted for its dramatic setting on a narrow strip of land between river and bluff. This geographic quirk gives Alma its distinctive terraced layout, with buildings and streets adapting to the steep incline. Established in 1848, the town’s architecture and town planning reflect its adaptation to this challenging topography, making it a unique example of landscape-driven urban design. Alma’s motto, "Step into Living History," captures its preservation ethos and the feeling of stepping back in time amidst 19th-century buildings that line the streets.

For visitors, Alma offers a rich blend of cultural and natural attractions. The Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center provides stunning river views and educational displays about local wildlife. Dining at Pier 4 Café & Smokehouse offers locally sourced dishes with scenic riverfront views. Cultural pursuits can be enjoyed at the Alma Area Museum, showcasing artifacts and stories from the town’s early days. For outdoor enthusiasts, Buena Vista Park offers the best vantage point for panoramic views of the river and surrounding bluffs, ideal for photographers and nature lovers alike...

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LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) - Today marks 50 years in business for the nonprofit VARC, Inc., which started as a small center serving people with disabilities in Vernon County and has expanded to a statewide operation with 13 locations.

Despite its growth, VARC still faces barriers for its clients in the workforce, according to CEO Liz Filter. She said that part of the mission at VARC is to not only give differently abled people the skills to be successful in their lives, but also partner with organizations in the community and advocate for the value they can bring to a company...

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Ken Notes: It is so important to remember those organizations that reach out to help others. Happy 50th VARC...

Mississippi River Regional Planning Commision SouthWest NorthWest State Coulee Regional Business Center THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE Vernon Co. Economic Development La Crosse Area Development Corporation SBDC La Crosse Economic Development Community Development Economic Development Economic Development Trempealeau County Economic Development The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) Vernon Economic Development Association Workforce Connections, Inc. The Pierce County EDC Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Job and Business Development (JBD) Program Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority USDA Rural Development Wisconsin Xcel Energy Economic Development Economic Development

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LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – It seems like EVERYONE wants to go camping! According to the latest Kampgrounds of America Annual Report, 11 million more households camped in 2024 over 2019. Most shocking, this boom is led by the Adventure Generation! Gen Z and Millennials represented 61% of new campers!

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Ken Notes: The MRRPC Region has many great options!

MADSION, Wis. — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA), today announced $2 million in grants to local communities and organizations through the Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grant (PDFRG) program that was created from legislation originally introduced by former 96th State Representative Loren Oldenburg. The program, which was signed into law by Gov. Evers last April and is administered by Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), a DMA division, aims to help communities in flood-prone areas identify flood vulnerabilities such as erosion hazards, road and culvert washouts, and incised stream channels and works to implement solutions, such as reconnecting streams and floodplains, mitigating erosion hazards, restoring or improving natural flow and movement of water or sediment, reestablishing area foliage and plant life, and more to help naturally manage flooding before disaster strikes.   

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LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Seven area counties in our area will receive a combined $45,600 in County Forest Road Aids for the 2025 fiscal year.

Governor Tony Evers announced the funding Wednesday along with the Wisconsin DOT as part of the statewide County Forest Road Aids program, which distributes over $320,000 to counties across the state to maintain public access roads in county forests.

Clark County will receive the largest local allocation at $15,761, followed by Rusk County with $7,925. Other local recipients include Chippewa County ($6,232), Eau Claire County ($6,150), Jackson County ($2,975), Juneau County ($1,916), and Wood County ($3,582).

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Ken Notes: Jackson County has some great places to explore!

The Pierce County Board held the first reading on a resolution to support the designation of the Mississippi River Trail within its county limits. If approved, roads in the county will be incorporated into the trail on handouts and other materials.

The Mississippi River Trail is primarily on the Wisconsin All-American Great River Road National Scenic Byway between Prescott and Illinois state lines. It is also routed on other state and county highways and local roads for alternative bicycling routes...   ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: It is very important to get this route approved, having a nationally recognized ten state Mississippi River Trail will become a destination for tourists worldwide. If it is on your agenda please work for approval we are VERY close...

 

MAP		Discover Wisconsin Great River Road Video

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Fort McCoy leaders and team members took time out March 25 to participate in the Monroe County Economic Development Housing Meeting in Sparta, Wis., to support the planning and discussion for addressing housing in the county.

According to the Monroe County Economic Develop Committee who spearheaded the event, topics addressed were:

— Current housing situation in Monroe County;

— Reviewing where the greatest need for housing is;

— Defining “affordable” housing;

— Looking at what other counties are doing to address a lack of housing;

— Funding opportunities for housing the committee might be missing;

— How can all the varying agencies collaborate to address housing issues in Monroe County;

— And what are some actions Monroe County can take to address housing concerns.   ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: This is really a Monroe County project. Affordable housing is an issue across the region not to mention the state. MRRPC has been working with communities and developing Plans to address this issue.

CASHTON, Wis. – Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers is gearing up to take a fully equipped mobile dental clinic on the road, thanks to a $50,000 Launch Grant from Mayo Clinic Health System. The mobile clinic, called Scenic Smiles, will provide thousands of dental visits annually in underserved communities across western Wisconsin. Scenic Smiles Mobile Dental Clinic will travel to various locations within Scenic Bluffs’ five-county service region, offering a comprehensive range of dental services such as routine cleanings and exams, fillings, extractions, preventive care, and oral health education.

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ELLSWORTH – SwiftCurrent Connect, a leader in delivering high-speed fiber broadband, proudly announces the completion of its 4,000th fiber broadband connection, marking a significant milestone in its mission to enhance connectivity for communities across Wisconsin.

This achievement is made possible in part by funding provided through the Wisconsin Broadband Office as part of the Capital Projects Fund, an initiative of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This investment is helping to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that more rural residents and businesses have access to fast and reliable internet service.

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Ken Notes: If your community is still struggling with internet access please give us a call and we will help you find a program to install upgraded service...

RIVER FALLS — River Falls senior Gage Brunkhorst has always had a love for cooking and baking, eventually turning that spark into his own baking business.

Ever since Brunkhorst was young, he loved helping his mother out in the kitchen whenever he could. He would chop vegetables or do whatever he could to assist. He also remembers growing up watching Food Network, which sparked the interest further. In middle school, Brunkhorst found the most enjoyment from baking, so he leaned into it.

When Brunkhorst needed funds to take a school trip to Europe, he started a baking business called Gage’s Sweets for Switzerland. The business blew up outside of anything he could imagine, and he also helped create a baking-specific class for people to take at RFHS.

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Working together to make the Mississippi River Region a great place to live and work.

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Regional Guides

		2023 Wisconsin Campground Directory

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Buffalo County, WI

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Crawford County Wisconsin

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Jackson County, WI 

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Home (lacrossecounty.org)

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Monroe County, WI | Home

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Pepin County, WI

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Pierce County, WI

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Trempealeau County

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Vernon County, WI

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