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This Weeks Articles for 4/24/2025 ...

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Earth Fair in Myrick Park

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

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S SMALL BUSINESS ACADEMY

Let’s grow our business

skills, together.

2025 Small Business Academy

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

If you’re considering starting a business, trying to grow your existing small business, or trying to get an idea or a startup off the ground, take advantage of this free, annual virtual and in-person event.

Virtual Events May 6-8
8:00 AM to Noon Each Day

IN PERSON
MAY 9th La Crosse

La Crosse County Administrative Center
212 6th Street North (lower level)
La Crosse WI 54601

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City of Prairie du Chien, partners and officials celebrate grand opening of ‘Prairie Eco Cottages’

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.

Prairie Eco Cottages held a grand opening event on April 21 where participants could get a closer look at the solar field and cottage-style apartments now offered to the community. The property, which is within walking distance to downtown Prairie du Chien, includes two buildings, each with 12 units, garages and private driveway parking, playground, and community room. One-, two-, and three-bedroom units have been available to rent to income-qualified tenants since January...

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Regional Economic Development Entities

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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Governor Evers announces funding for county forest public access roads maintenance

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 Great River Road

MAP		Discover Wisconsin Great River Road Video

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RFHS senior owns thriving baking biz

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.

At his business, Brunkhorst baked for events including Sip and Shop at the Hastings Golf Club, weddings, baby and bridal showers and birthday parties. The first order he received was one he will remember forever...

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Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC)

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

The Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission provides planning and economic development services to improve the region`s environment, economy and quality of life. We serve a nine county region, providing studies and planning services, resources and data to help with your grant applications or reporting needs, and business loans.