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This Weeks Articles for 3/2/2026 ...

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Appropriations Committee Request for FY27

Dear Friend,
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I look to bring our Wisconsin values to the national conversation about how we invest in moving our economy forward.

Each year, the Appropriations Committee writes the legislation allocating federal funds, which is then made available for local projects and national programs. I am already working with my colleagues to make sure they know what matters most to Wisconsinites in the new fiscal year – so I want to hear directly from you about how upcoming appropriations legislation should prioritize investments in our communities. Due to the spending constraints of the federal budget, Congress will not be able to fund every program or project, but your input is crucial.

For the upcoming fiscal year, the Appropriations Committee is expected to utilize the authority to approve congressionally directed spending grants on a bipartisan basis with enhanced transparency and accountability. As a result, public and non-profit entities in Wisconsin may propose congressionally directed spending items.

Click here to make an appropriations request on behalf of your community for the upcoming fiscal year. The deadline to submit requests is March 22, 2026.

As you consider your community`s priorities, take into account the type of investment you are requesting:
Programmatic requests are appropriations requests for Congress to fund an authorized federal program at a specific level or to include language directing a federal agency to implement a program in a specific way
Congressionally directed spending requests are grants to fund a Wisconsin project or initiative
You have a unique perspective when it comes to understanding and responding to the specific challenges facing our communities. From increasing our investments in infrastructure to supporting economic development initiatives to protecting our water resources, I believe it is critical we work together to ensure upcoming federal funding decisions made in Washington work for Wisconsin.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts about how we can prioritize investments in our Wisconsin communities and submit your appropriations request by March 22, 2026 here.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator for Wisconsin

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Ken Notes: If anyone is looking for further info, please contact Gregg Wavurnek in Senator Baldwin`s office by email at gregg_wavrunek@baldwin.sen.

Appropriations Committee Request for FY27

The Appropriations Committee has released the official FY27 CPF guidelines and deadline. If you have started an application, please review the new account guidance for the account you are requesting funding from to verify eligibility (link).

Deadlines for submissions to our office is March 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM CT. Completed forms and supporting documentation must be sent to Molly.Bohn@mail.house.gov and Claire.Case@mail.house.gov.

You may find the required updated FY27 CPF application at the link. Important information to go along with the application:

Please read and complete the form in its entirety. Only completed forms will be accepted.
Submitting an application does not mean that your project will be selected.
If your project is selected by Congressman Van Orden as one of his submissions, this does not guarantee that the project will be included in the final bills and subsequently funded.
If you submitted an application in a previous cycle and were not selected, you are eligible to resubmit for that same project

If you were selected in a previous cycle and are submitting again, your new project must be substantially different from the previously selected project.

We encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible so we can provide assistance as needed.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

Molly Bohn

Economic Development Coordinator/Field Representative
Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03)
608-860-7216

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Ken Notes: And in this case contact Molly Bohn from Congressman Van Orden`s Office. The application form is at the link.

WEDC announces $1.5 million in grants to support small businesses across Wisconsin

Funding will enable local organizations to assist with building improvements and other financial support

MADISON, WI. MARCH 3, 2026 – The Wisconsin Economic Corporation (WEDC) announced today that ten community organizations supporting small businesses across Wisconsin have received $1.5 million in Small Business Development Grants (SBDG) from WEDC.

“Local leaders want to build communities where people are excited to live, work, and grow,” said John W. Miller, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the state’s lead economic development organization. “These grants will allow communities to make the investments small businesses need to be able to grow and thrive.”

The competitive grants, which range from $50,000 to $250,000, were awarded to local and regional economic development organizations, municipalities, and counties to support small business development and creation. The organizations will pass 100% of the SBDG funds on to small businesses.

The SBDG grant recipients include:... (at the link)

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Coulee Region Business Center (CRBC) has named John Kruger as its new Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

La Crosse, Wisconsin — The Coulee Region Business Center (CRBC) has named John Kruger as its new Director.

Founded in 1986, the CRBC is a nonprofit organization that supports startups and small businesses throughout the Coulee Region by providing affordable workspace, shared resources, and business development support. The organization operates a 35,000-square-foot facility offering flexible space for manufacturing, commercial kitchen operations, offices, and emerging ventures.

Kruger brings more than 20 years of experience as a founder, operator, and executive advisor working with startups and growth-stage organizations. He is also the Co- Founder of Incubation Studio, an AI-guided platform focused on helping individuals and teams develop new business ventures.

In his new role, Kruger will focus on strengthening organizational systems, expanding regional partnerships, and enhancing the CRBC’s ability to support entrepreneurs and small businesses across Western Wisconsin... ...Full Story Here

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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Historical Society launches ‘Good Earth – Deep Roots’ art auction to bridge county funding shortfall

The two-week show celebrates the landscapes, people, and stories of the Driftless Region. Attendees can view rarely seen artwork of Vernon County’s heritage pulled from the museum’s private collection, tour new displays, and bid in a silent art auction featuring works by local artists. All proceeds from the auction will support museum programs and operations.

VIROQUA, Wis. — The Vernon County Historical Society will host its first-ever winter art exhibition and silent auction in March to raise critical funds following a recent 25% cut to its county budget.

“Good Earth – Deep Roots: The Vernon County Winter Exhibition” will run daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Saturday, March 14, through Thursday, March 26. The event will take place at the Vernon County Museum & History Center, located at 410 S. Center Ave., and residents are asked to use the west entrance facing Highway 14...

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Video Data Centers: La Crosse Still Waiting

News 8000 (Chanel 8) explores the data center issues in the Coulee region and questions why the La Crosse area does not yet have a center. ...Full Story Here

WisDOT press release: Newly launched bus route goes from La Crosse to Green Bay

WisDOT, carriers announce updated intercity bus services to provide reliable, affordable transportation options for residents and visitors across Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PRESS RELEASE) - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), in partnership with Greyhound, Indian Trails, Jefferson Lines, Lamers Bus and Wisconsin Transit Lines today announced updated services to state-supported bus routes that connect residents and visitors to rural and mid-sized communities as well as big cities in the region.

WisDOT supports multiple intercity bus routes that provide service to and from smaller communities and link travelers to regional hubs including Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis.

Today’s announcement updates the service providers on many of these routes and includes the launch of a new bus route, Route 11, that travels from La Crosse to Green Bay.

WisDOT and its partners are proud to provide affordable and reliable connectivity for smaller communities to the broader Midwest and national intercity bus network.

Route 1	Madison to Green Bay	Wisconsin Transit Lines
Route 2	Madison to Wausau	Wisconsin Transit Lines
Route 3	Minneapolis to Milwaukee via Green Bay	Greyhound *
Route 4	La Crosse to Milwaukee	Jefferson Lines *
Route 5	Hurley to Duluth	Indian Trails
Route 6	Madison to Dubuque	Wisconsin Transit Lines *
Route 7	Janesville to Milwaukee	Wisconsin Transit Lines
Route 8	Escanaba to Milwaukee	Indian Trails
Route 11	La Crosse to Green Bay	Lamers *

*New service provider on the route.

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The Great River Road

MAP		Discover Wisconsin Great River Road Video

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Longfellow Middle Schools expands hands-on learning with hydroponic growing system

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – Students at Longfellow Middle School are not just learning about science, they are watching it grow in their classroom.

Jared Mickelson, an agriscience teacher at Longfellow, was one of 50 educators across Wisconsin awarded a hydroponic growing system. The system allows students to put down their textbooks and engage in hands-on agriculture.

Seventh grader Mirabel said, "It`s way more laid-back and it`s so much easier to learn and comprehend, and Mr. Mickelson makes it fun."

On Tuesday, seventh grade students harvested the kale and lettuce they have been growing over the past two weeks, a thrilling moment for both the students and Mickelson, who enjoyed seeing their reactions.

"Hearing the reactions like, `oh, it tastes fresh,` that`s what we want to hear," Mickelson said...

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McIntosh Memorial Library opens JobPod to connect Viroqua area residents with work

VIROQUA Wis. – The McIntosh Memorial Library has opened a new Job Pod that local leaders say will bring big city employment services to job seekers in Viroqua and across Vernon County who lack computers internet access or comfort with online hiring.

Library Director Trina Erickson told guests at a ribbon cutting that the idea was a surprise when it first landed in her inbox from project organizers...

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Viroqua City Council approves pre-development agreement for new GrandStay hotel

VIROQUA, Wis. The Viroqua Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, to enter into a pre development agreement with Market Point Development to construct a GrandStay hotel in the Viroqua Business Park.

The vote marks a renewed push to bring lodging to the city after years of stalled attempts. City Administrator Nate Torres provided the council with the history of the project which began back in 2021 when the city and county initiated a feasibility study and sent out requests for proposals to attract a hotel developer to the business park.

“We went through a little bit of a selection process and at that point the city along with the county had selected a GrandStay as our option of choice,” said Torres. “And there was a developer that came along with a different developer than MarketPoint. That developer was unfortunately unsuccessful."...

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Tourism Resources and Events in Our Region

Western Wisconsin Regional Outdoor Recreation Plan for Rural Areas 2025

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.