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This Weeks Articles for 11/21/2025 ...

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Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) 2026-2027 Round 1 project solicitation are due

Attn: CLERKS, Please forward this to town board, any public works staff, and other Transportation advocates for your Township.

Dear local government stakeholder,

This is a reminder that applications for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) 2026-2027 Round 1 project solicitation are due on Monday, December 15, at 5:00 PM.

Please ensure your materials are submitted in ARIPWeb platform before the deadline, as late applications cannot be accepted.

Eligible applicants (towns, cities, villages, and counties) may submit up to two (2) applications for this solicitation.

WisDOT strongly encourages applicants with eligible projects to consider applying in this Round 1 solicitation to help remove load postings and weight restrictions which impact their community`s local transportation infrastructure.

Applications for the 2026-2027 ARIP solicitation are submitted through the new ARIPWeb online platform. This system will also be utilized for project management after award.

The following links are helpful resources:

This article links to the general ARIP DOT Page

Access ARIPWeb: <https://arip.wisconsindot.gov/login>

ARIPWeb User Resource: <https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/highway/arip-user.pdf>

Detailed information about ARIP, including eligibility requirements, can be found here: <https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/highway/arip.aspx>

For questions about ARIP, please contact Hillary Pelton, ARIP Program Manager, at <hillary.pelton@dot.wi.gov>

Thank you,

WisDOT Local Programs

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Ken Notes: This was sent to all the TOWN Clerks in the MRRPC Region...

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 EDC quarterly	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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The Great River Road

MAP		Discover Wisconsin Great River Road Video

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MRRPC Launches Small Business Development Grant Program: Turning Ideas into Action

The Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC) is proud to announce the Small Business Development Grant - Business Plan and Pitch Contest, a program designed to help entrepreneurs transform their ideas into thriving businesses.

In partnership with the UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center and the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) - La Crosse Office, and with $18,000 in funding from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), MRRPC is offering training, resources, and support to strengthen the regional economy through entrepreneurship.

Program Highlights:

Business Plan Contest: Open to new or existing businesses in the MRRPC nine-county region. Participants will develop a detailed business plan (up to 24 pages, not including cover page) covering areas such as executive summary, company description, market analysis, organizational structure, products and services, marketing strategy, financial projections, and supporting materials.

Prizes Totaling $12,000!

1st Place: $5,000
2nd Place: $3,000
3rd Place: $2,000
4th Place: $1,000
5th Place: $500
6th Place: $250
7th Place: $250

Pitch Contest: The top seven business plan winners will advance to pitch their idea in a 5-7 minute presentation to a panel of judges for a share of an additional $6,000 in funding.

Eligibility:

Entrepreneurs in the idea stage or startup stage
Existing businesses seeking expansion, operational improvements, or new market opportunities
Located within MRRPC’s nine-county region

All applications must be submitted by:
February 13th at 12:00 PM to jon@mrrpc.com.

Contact:

Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission
811 Monitor Street, Suite 201
La Crosse, WI 54603
Phone: 608.785.9396
Email: jon@mrrpc.com Website: www.mrrpc.com

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Tourism Resources and Events in Our Region

Monroe County Events Calendar	Crawford County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Vernon County Events Calendar Visitor Guide
La Crosse County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Trempealeau County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Buffalo County Events Calendar
Pepin County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Pierce County Events Calendar	Jackson County Events Calendar Visitor Guide

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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.