The Top Rural Development Initiatives is an annual recognition program sponsored by Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. This program aims to highlight and share positive developments in rural Wisconsin by recognizing communities and organizations that have made a significant impact through collaboration.

In 1998, Wendy Hinrichs Sanders, then president of WRP, stated, "We want to increase the visibility of these .best practices and strengthen the network between communities, allowing them to model creative projects that have been successful in other areas of the state. Rural communities, in particular, cannot afford to keep reinventing the wheel."

Over the past 28 years, more than 180 initiatives have been recognized and profiled to help community leaders learn from one another. Nominations consist of a 700-word-or-less essay that describes an initiative's background, innovation, partnership spirit, impact, and potential as a model for other rural communities in Wisconsin.

Who is eligible? This award program is open to all rural areas of Wisconsin.