Over half of Wisconsin’s cities and villages are communities of fewer than 2,500 residents. Despite their large number, these small communities represent a wide variety of geographic and economic areas within the state. Because of their small size, these municipalities have unique issues and needs that are often very different from those of larger communities.

The twelfth annual series of Small Community Forums will be held in four locations in October and November, to facilitate dialogue between small communities, address common issues, network, share best practices, and identify strategies to address shared concerns. Representatives from many state and regional resource partners will be on hand to connect with attendees and provide guidance on specific concerns introduced during the sessions.

These convenings are about sharing ideas, learning and networking concerning the health and future of rural Wisconsin. People interested in small town and rural Wisconsin are invited to attend, including those involved in quality-of-life issues, business, government, education, the non-profit sector, civic and community development.

Civic leaders, elected officials, volunteers, business leaders, educators, and local and regional economic development associations are encouraged to participate. Case study presentations and resource discussions will focus on infrastructure, partnership, innovation, inclusion in housing, creative economy, childcare, and workforce development, among other issues.

Campbellsport (Fond du Lac County) Thursday, October 26 Drexel Training Center
101 N Fond du Lac Avenue, Campbellsport, WI
Partner: Village of Campbellsport
Register Today of WiRuralPartners.org

The fee for each Forum is $20, which includes materials, morning coffee and light refreshments, and lunch.

2023 Small Community Forum Dates & Locations

Gilman (Taylor County)
Wednesday, October 11
Location: Gilman High School, 325 N. Fifth Ave. Gilman
Partner: School District of Gilman

Pittsville (Wood County)
Tuesday, November 14
Location: Pittsville Community Hall
5291 3rd Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466
Partner: City of Pittsville

Norwalk (Monroe County)
Wednesday, November 1 Location: Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center
200 W. North St., Norwalk Partner: Chamber of Commerce

Registration: WIRuralpartners.org/Small-Community-Forums. All Forums start at 8 am (registration and breakfast open at 7:30 am) and end with lunch at 12 noon.

The 2023 Small Community Forums, hosted by local organization, and are made possible through a coalition of statewide agencies and organizations involved in rural community development:
• Create Wisconsin
• League of Wisconsin Municipalities
• UW-Madison, Division of Extension
• USDA Rural Development Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Downtown Action Council
• Office of Rural Prosperity | WEDC
• Wisconsin Main Street Program | WEDC
• Wisconsin Rural Partners

Planning Committee:
• Anne Katz, Create Wisconsin/Wisconsin Downtown Action Council
• Beth Haskovec and Kietra Olson, WEDC Office of Rural Prosperity
• Errin Welty, WEDC Wisconsin Main Street
• Kristin Mickelson & Zach Vruwink, League of Wisconsin Municipalities
• Sandy Decker and Megan Purtell, Wisconsin Rural Partners
• Brandon Hofstedt, UW-Madison, Division of Extension
• Todd Barman, UW-Madison, Division of Extension
• Jillian Thomas, USDA Rural Development

To Register: wiruralpartners.org/Small-Community-Forums