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Innovation doesn't always begin with a new product—it begins with informed decision-making.

The businesses that thrive tomorrow will be led by people who can turn information into action today. Whether you’re looking to:

• grow revenue,
• better understand your customers, 
• identify new opportunities, or 
• make more confident decisions,

data and artificial intelligence are becoming essential tools for business leaders. This event brings the CEO of Polco, Nick Mastronardi, to the area to tell how he turned customer problems into a business providing solutions and opportunities. From finding investors and acquiring companies, Polco is an up-and-coming company in Madison. Become your company's next innovator. 

Register Now!

Thursday, July 16 | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
11:30-Noon Registration & Food Buffet
Noon-1:30 Event

Altra Federal Credit Union Operations Center
1700 Oak Forest Drive, Onalaska, WI 54650

Featuring Dr. Nick Mastronardi, Co-Founder and CEO of Polco, this event will explore how artificial intelligence, data analytics, and customer insights can help organizations make smarter decisions, identify opportunities, and drive growth.

Dr. Mastronardi brings more than 20 years of experience in AI, economics, and leadership. Drawing from his unique career spanning the Pentagon, the White House, and Amazon, he will demonstrate how leaders can leverage data to better understand customers, identify emerging trends, reduce risk, and make confident strategic decisions.

$25 Before July 7 and includes a buffet lunch / $30 July 8+.

Admission is free for pre-revenue or early stage startups.
Know one? 
Have them email carissa@ladcolax.com or call 608-784-5488 ext. 1.

Focus on the foundations of effective content: clear messaging, attention grabbing

hooks, and creating the types of content that converts. You’ll also learn simple ways to elevate your videos with better editing, captions, music, and storytelling so your content stands out and drives action...

In today’s digital landscape, having a website isn’t enough. This training will demystify Search Engine (SEO) and Website Optimization. You will learn how to identify the words your customers are searching for, how to optimize on-page opportunities, how to get your business to appear in local, near-me searches, and how to make sure your website is mobile 
friendly, user friendly, and generating the revenue you need.

Brochure

See a Google Interactive Map Here!

Great River Road NEW Website

The Brief

• The former Lincoln Middle School in La Crosse will be converted into 51 affordable apartment units called Heritage Lofts at Lincoln Middle School

• Construction begins next January with completion expected the following year

• The historic building closed in 2023 due to a major school district deficit and has remained vacant since being sold

LA CROSSE (WKBT) — The former Lincoln Middle School in La Crosse will be converted into affordable housing.

The school closed in 2023 due to a major school district deficit. The building was awarded historic status in 2024 and sold the following year. The property has stayed vacant ever since.

In 2027, the site will become the Heritage Lofts at Lincoln Middle School, including 51 apartment units along with a community space.

Construction will begin next January and is expected to be complete the following year...

Ken Note: If you would like a weekly newsletter featuring Workforce Housing opportunities in Wisconsin please take a look at WWHNews.com, Leo or I will be happy to sign you up for free..

The West Coast — of Wisconsin — could get more attention soon from businesses around the Midwest and elsewhere.

La Crosse, Prairie du Chien and other spots on the Upper Mississippi River are the focus of a project called the Northern Grain Belt Ports Initiative. The initiative is aimed at making the region more competitive with other markets...

...Ken Harwood of MRRPC said the expansion of the country 200 years ago was driven in large part by the Mississippi, moving lumber, farm products and people on the river.

Before helping a turtle cross, drivers need to keep their safety top of mind. This means turning on hazards and safely pulling over to let surrounding traffic know the vehicle coming to a stop. Drivers should check both ways before heading into traffic.

Officials at the Wisconsin DNR provided tips on how to safely move turtles across the street.

"Most of our smaller turtles, like painted turtles and map turtles, they're easier to just kind of pick up by the shell," said Andrew Badje, a Wisconsin DNR conservation biologist. "However, if you're dealing with a larger snapping turtle, they can be a little feisty."..

The future of eight western Wisconsin counties’ rural outdoor rec scenes officially has a USDA-approved game plan: the Regional Outdoor Recreation Plan (RORP).

Formally announced by the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Committee (WCWRPC) on May 28, the RORP – which spans Buffalo, Clark, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Tremprealeau, Pepin and Jackson counties – received approval this spring after being submitted around the new year.

Its ultimate goal is to deliver wide-ranging benefits to the region, from job creation and workforce development opportunities to increased tourism and visitor dollars, among others...

The Wisconsin DNR says some safety changes include operators and passengers are now required to wear a seatbelt in a UTV and no towing objects bearing any person on a trail or route.

La Crosse County Sheriff John Siegel says the changes are aimed at increasing safety.

“We’re seeing more and more ATV and UTV trails and routes open up. Some of it is evolving with that, things like having to wear seatbelts and making that a requirement, not being able to tow somebody behind the ATV or UTV down a trail or on a roadway. Things that are going to keep people safe,” said Siegel.

There are also new safety rules regarding eye protection and front window tint.

VIROQUA Wis. – After years of planning and fundraising the long awaited rebuild of Eckhart Park’s main playground is now on a firm timeline with demolition set for mid July and a community build week scheduled for late September.

Parks and Recreation Director Kale Proksch told the Viroqua Public Works Committee last week that design details are nearly finalized and that the next few weeks will focus on ordering materials lining up volunteers and preparing the site.

He said the city is working from updated playground drawings that shift equipment slightly away from mature trees and fine tune the location of picnic tables and fencing to meet safety standards.

MINDORO, Wis. (WEAU) - At Stello Farms in Mindoro, FFA students spent the day teaching Melrose-Mindoro Elementary students about agriculture.

The day is part of the high school’s Food for America program. The program helps students develop leadership skills by engaging with peers and youth to share information about agriculture.

“It’s a great opportunity for the high schoolers to take everything they’ve learned throughout their time in high school and middle school agriculture classes, play the role of the teacher, and get the opportunity to educate the younger generation,” Melrose-Mindoro FFA advisor Maddie Dobbs says.

Around 50 elementary students get to visit 12 different stations, ranging from working with animals like cows, pigs, and sheep to agronomy and farming equipment...

Crawford, Vernon, Richland counties

LA CROSSE, Wis., (WLAX, WEUX) – The Great River Road has been named the #1 Scenic Drive in America for the second year in a row my USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Explore La Crosse says the Great River Road spans 3,000 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf Coast traveling through areas such as La Crosse...

LA CROSSE, WI — The City of La Crosse has been awarded a total of $2.4 million in 2026 Housing Tax Credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) for the 7^th St. Residences and Heritage Lofts at Lincoln projects.

"As our city continues to grow, increasing our housing supply is important for social and economic development,” Director of Planning and Development Andrea Trane said. “This is a huge win for increasing access to affordable housing for all residents and for the City’s workforce housing needs.”

WHEDA awarded $47.8 million for multifamily housing tax credit developments throughout the state, with La Crosse receiving $1,110,800 in federal credits for 7^th St. Residences. Heritage Lofts at Lincoln received $721,713 from the federal government and $521,401 from the state...

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