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Shaping the Future of Small-Town Wisconsin

Concerned about the future of Wisconsin's small (but mighty) communities? Join fellow community leaders, elected officials, business owners, and civic-minded neighbors at a Small Community Forum to share best practices and tackle the opportunities and challenges unique to small-town Wisconsin.

The Small Community Forums provide resources and a venue for everyone who cares about the future of Wisconsin’s small (and mighty) communities. The forums bring together residents, community leaders, elected officials, business leaders and civic-minded individuals to share best practices and discuss strategies to address the unique opportunities and challenges facing our communities. Hosted by local organizations and agencies and these statewide organizations:

  • Create Wisconsin
  • League of Wisconsin Municipalities
  • UW-Madison, Division of Extension
  • USDA Rural Development Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Counties Association
  • Wisconsin Downtown Action Council
  •  Wisconsin Main Street Program, WEDC
  • Wisconsin Rural Partners
  • Office of Rural Prosperity, WEDC 

2026 Counties

  • Dunn County
  • Lincoln County
  • Sheboygan County

2026 Agenda Highlights

Local Case Studies: Showcasing area projects and initiatives.

Community-Involved Employers: Impact on Community Development
Spotlighting area employers who are creating and investing in local community development.

Keynote: Topic to be Announced

Roundtable Discussions: Local and area topics of interest and concern to residents and visitors.

2026 Planning Committee:

  • Todd Barman, UW - Madison, Division of Extension
  • Marie Barry, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
  • Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Wisconsin Counties Association
  • Tracy Grzybowski, League of Wisconsin Municipalities
  • Todd Johnson, UW-Madison, Division of Extension
  • Anne Katz, Create Wisconsin/Wisconsin Downtown Action Council
  • Jillian Lindstrom, USDA Rural Development
  • Kietra Olson, Office of Rural Prosperity, WEDC
  • Errin Welty, Wisconsin Main Street
  • Zach Vruwink, League of Wisconsin Municipalities

Dunn County | September 24, 2026
 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: Viking Bowling & Catering
108 Main Street, Colfax, WI

Registration

Lincoln County | October 8, 2026
7:30 AM - 1:00 pm

Location:  PCA William Buedingen Training Center W6147 WIS-86, Tomahawk, WI 54487

Sheboygan County | TBA
7:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: Random Lake

Registration Coming Soon! 









Small Community Forums | Past

About us

​Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. (WRP) serves as a network hub for organizations, government agencies and people working to make rural Wisconsin a better place. ​​We strive through our work to build leadership for the communities of rural Wisconsin.  ​​

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