WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OFFER IN SAUK COUNTY?
The Community Resource Development Agent works in a number of priority areas. Backed by University of Wisconsin research, Community Development Agents cooperate with local government, civic organizations, businesses and community leaders to enhance local decision-making and help communities respond to new challenges and opportunities. These priorities change as local needs change.
Community Development Program Mission
Our mission is to strengthen people's ability to identify and solve community problems through education, citizen participation, group process, and unbiased information - allowing residents to make informed decisions, resulting in better communities.
Strengthening Local Government |
Focus on Sustainability: Building Communities Educational Webinar Series
This year’s Building Communities Webinar Series will address global, regional and local issues and challenge us as both a community and as individuals. Join us in discovering some of our constraints and uncovering the limitless potential we possess to overcome them. If you care deeply about the economy and the viability of our businesses … if you care deeply about the ecological health of our planet … if you care deeply about the quality of life of our community – this webinar series is for you. Join us to be enlightened, to be informed, to be challenged, and to be called to action! Programs will be held on the third Tuesday of the month from 11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. (Central Time) from October 2008 - June 2009. Click here to read more about upcoming programs. If you are interested in attending any or all of the webinars please contact Lynn Zick at (608) 355-3250 or lynn.zick@ces.uwex.edu to register. These FREE webinars will be held in the ETN room on the 3rd floor of the West Square Building Located at 505 Broadway in Baraboo.
How to Run for Local Elected Office -
Have you ever considered running for local elected office? Do you want to make a real difference in your community? Click here to download a pdf of the revised "How to Run for Elected Office" packet.
Educators- Are you interested in hosting an educational program on how to run for office? Visit the UW-Extension Local Government Center for all the resources.
| 2007 Sauk County plat books can be purchased at the UWEX office for $25.00. All proceeds benefit Sauk County 4H. |
 Sauk County Rural Living Guide
Rural communities in Wisconsin are facing many changes. Many people from urban areas are choosing to spend more time in rural areas. This community welcomes new homeowners and landowners. However, living in a rural area is, in many ways, much different than living in an urban community. This Rural Living Guide has been developed to inform those who are considering purchasing a rural property and those that already have. It is hoped that this information will help people consider issues that may affect them when living in a rural area.
Sauk County Property Tax Guide
Have you recently received your property tax bill in the mail, but your not quite sure what it all means? Download this guide to help you wade through the numbers.
GREAT (Graphing Revenues, Expenditures and Taxes):
GREAT is a software package that contains a statewide databases for all counties and municipalities in Wisconsin from 1987-2005.
It is a tool that creates graphs of a community's revenues, expenditures, property values and tax information and compares those values with similar communities.
The purpose of the program is to help start a local discussion and examination of budgets and financial management, and services provided. Contact Jenny Erickson for GREAT information for your community. 2007 Sauk County Towns Association presentation on GREAT
Sauk County plan commissioner training presentations: So You Have a Plan, Now What? and Plan Implementation
Intercounty Coordinating Committee (ICC) and schedule
UWEX Local Government Wisline Series
Leadership and Organizational Development |
Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) - SCIL is a 9 month leadership development program committed to developing informed, civic- minded volunteer leaders committed to a vibrant Sauk County.
Organizational Planning Guide and Resources - The Sauk County Community Development Educator works with nonprofit organizations to build consensus, set priorities and create a vision for the future of their organizations.
Natural Resources Education |
Sauk County Lakes and Rivers Group - In the fall of 2006, Lake District members met to identify issues that lake residents are faced with. It became apparent that the same issues are present at each of the different lakes and that it might be of some benefit to create a countywide lake organization to share ideas and strategies that have been employed. The original group has been expanded to include not only the lakes that have property owner associations or lake districts, but all county lakes and rivers. Click here for website
Sauk County Drinking Water Program In February of 2009 Baraboo and Greenfield Town residents will have the opportunity to participate in a Drinking Water Program. Participants will learn about their drinking water quality and quantity, and what actions they take to protect Sauk County's groundwater. If you are a homeowner with a private well, it is important that you get your water tested once a year. Please contact the UWEX office if you would like to have your well water tested.
2007 Sauk County Household Hazardous Waste Clean Sweep - In October of 2007 Sauk County sponsored a Clean Sweep designed to remove and/or recycle hazardous wastes.
Sauk County Lakes and Rivers Group - This group is comprised of Sauk County residents interested in working together to protect and enhance the water quality, natural beauty and recreation opportunities on local lakes and rivers.
Stormwater Education and Rain Gardens - Rain Gardens are small depressed gardens that soak up stormwater that has run off a roof, sidewalk or other paved surface. Check out the demonstration rain gardens located at the United Methodist Church and at the Baraboo Public Library on 4th Street in Baraboo, WI. Click here to learn how to create a rain garden. Click here for the Rain Gardens: Sustainable Stormwater Management presentation at UW-Baraboo/Sauk County's Sustainablity Series.
Natural Resources Links
Community and Economic Development Programs |
Transforming Communities and Building Community Capacity: An Introduction to Planning - This training was held in April of 2008 to help UW-Extension faculty and staff develop a better understanding of planning fundamentals. The following are two presenations from that training:
"Diagnosis" and "Creating Change."
Rural Immigration Summit Agenda -
Sauk County UW-Extension hosted a seminar on immigration issues on Friday, February 29, 2008. The agenda included topics on the history of immigration, immigrants in the dairy industry, life as a Latino immigrant in Wisconsin and the economic impact of immigration on Wisconsin. Click here for a pdf of the brochure. The following are links to the PowerPoint presentations from the Summit.
Baraboo Riverfront Revitalization Survey - A baseline survey of Baraboo residents was conducted in 2007 to begin to evaluate the impact of the WI Department of Commerce funding. Another survey will be conducted after the riverfront revitalization has been completed. Click here for 2007 survey results.
Baraboo Labor Skills Survey - High School students and graduates are a vital part of the Sauk County workforce. In order to ensure that their skills and knowledge sets meet the needs of local businesses and industries, the School District of Baraboo, the Sauk County UWEX, the Sauk County Development Corporation and the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce conducted a labor skills survey. (Brochure inside and brochure outside)
First Impressions Program - In this community improvement program volunteers from two similar communities (size, location, county seat, etc.) agree to do unannounced exchange visits and then report on their findings. Participants became "secret shoppers" for the day to discover what they can about their sister city. They follow procedures and reporting guidelines in a fully developed manual, which is copied for each participant. The manual helps insure that the evaluations and reports are thorough and somewhat uniform and minimize the training of volunteers.
Community Economic Development Preparedness Index - The CEDPI helps communities analyze their strengths and weaknesses before developing a plan to improve economic development opportunities in the community. Index results provide a reflection on your community's readiness to retain existing businesses and income; attract new businesses, residents and income; and expand small businesses and income within the community.
Downtown and Business Market Analysis - The market analysis is designed to help local business leaders, entrepreneurs, developers, and economic development professionals understand the changing marketplace and identify business and real estate development opportunities that are realistic and make sense for their communities. To learn more click here. (Sauk Prairie Market Analysis)
Resources for Starting Your Own Business - This resource includes links and basic steps to help you start your own business. For additional information visit the Small Business Development Center.
Let's Talk Business - A newsletter put out by the UW-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development, Let's Talk Business covers a wide variety of topics.
The newsletter is available online from the UW-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development.
Thrive Here - The eight-county Madison Region of Wisconsin is the ideal place for your business and your family to thrive. Our unique geographical placement is at the apex of the world's largest freshwater resource (the Great Lakes Basin) and some of the richest farmland in the world. This natural abundance shapes our cultures, our communities, and our economic drivers. A connected network of regional economic development professionals work together to ensure your business thrives in the region.
The Rollercoaster Keeps Rolling: An Economic Reveiw and Forcast sponsored by the Bank of Prairie du Sac
- 2008 Current and Future Economic Trends: A Focus on Sauk County - Presentation by Steve Deller
- Planning for the Future: The Sustainability Movement in Sauk County - Presentation by Jenny Erickson
2007 Current and Future Economic Trends: A Focus on Sauk County - Presentation given by Steve Deller and Jenny Erickson at the Bank of Prairie du Sac's Economics of 2007 seminar.
Community Development Links and Economic Development Links
Travel Green Program - Travel Green Wisconsin is a voluntary program that reviews, certifies and recognizes tourism businesses that have made a commitment to continuously improve their operations in order to reduce their environmental and social impact. Sauk and Columbia Counties are working together to build a travel green network. If your business is interested in participating in the program, please contact the UWEX office or your local chamber of Commerce.
Baraboo River Map - Paddle the Baraboo River from Union Center to Wisconsin River. All you need to know is can be found in the new Baraboo River Map! The map breaks the river into short canoe-able sections. Pick up a free map at the Baraboo or Reedsburg Chamber of Commerce or the Sauk County UW-Extension Office.
Sauk County Map -Please contact the UWEX office or your local chamber for your free copies.
OTHER RELATED LINKS
OF INTEREST:
For more information
please contact:
 Jenny Erickson
Sauk County - UW Extension
West Square Administration Bldg
505 Broadway
Baraboo, WI 53913-2404
Phone: 608-355-3250
Fax: 608-355-3550
711 for Relay
Email: jennifer.erickson@ces.uwex.edu
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