Bonduel is one of 10 rural Wisconsin communities that will get help meeting its biggest economic development needs and planning for its long-term goals.
Under the Thrive Rural program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), each recipient will have access to up to $25,000 in grants, two years of technical assistance in planning and grant writing and other services typically employed by larger communities.
WEDC’s Office of Rural Prosperity will partner with local economic development organizations to work with specific communities on projects related to community development, small business development, housing and sustainable energy.
Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. (SCEPI) is working with Bonduel to attract more single-family and multifamily housing, revive its aging downtown and consolidate its municipal offices, which are scattered among multiple sites.
Local leaders believe the assistance will mark a turning point for the community.
“In this first year of the grant, we’ll be focusing on affordable housing and downtown rehabilitation,” said Michelle Maroszek, clerk-treasurer.
Building an economy for all means investing in the entire state, especially rural communities, said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s leading economic development organization.
“Many of our smaller communities have big goals and big ideas, but they don’t have the staff or the experience to connect to the resources that can make those plans a reality,” she said. “The aim of the Thrive Rural program is to help them build their economic development muscles so their communities will thrive.”
A May 2022 Shawano County Housing Market Study indicated 58.6% of the housing in Bonduel was single-family homes, with another 18.6% in buildings with five to nine housing units.
In comparison to the other villages in the study, Bonduel had the highest demand for owner- and renter-occupied housing.
The estimated total demand for new construction ownership units was 29 units based on a projected 51 additional owner-occupied households by 2030. The estimated total demand for new construction rental housing was 11 units based on the estimated 23 additional renter households by 2030.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
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