Call to Action: Rural Creative Economy Development Program

Call to Action! Your advocacy is needed to achieve $500,000 in annual state investment in creative economic and civic development in rural communities throughout Wisconsin. 

Click here for more info and a draft message to send to your legislators asking for their support.

There are a very limited number of days remaining in the 2023-24 Legislative Session and we are closer than ever to final passage of legislation to establish a NEW Rural Creative Economy Grant program!

To keep moving this effort forward, we need community advocates to make the case with their elected representatives.  That's where you come in.

Here’s a template message to send to your legislator, to ask for support of the Rural Creative Economy Development program. Don’t forget to personalize the message! More info about the program and advocacy below.

About the Rural Creative Economy Development Program: under 2023 Assembly Bill 449/Senate Bill 448, authored by Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Sen. Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron), applicants would be eligible for up to $50,000 in matching grant funds to promote and assist the development of rural and small town businesses, products, or services hat have an artistic, cultural, creative, or aesthetic value. The legislation is supported by these non-profit and governmental entities:  

• Create Wisconsin

• Association of Wisconsin Tourism Attractions

• Destinations Wisconsin

• League of Wisconsin Municipalities

• National Federation of Independent Business

• Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association

• Wisconsin Restaurant Association

• Wisconsin Downtown Action Council

• Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin 

Do you know who your legislators are? You can find out at WHO ARE MY LEGISLATORS? on the Wisconsin Legislature's website.  If you are represented by any of the following GOP state senators, we especially need your continued leadership and involvement: 

• Julian Bradley (R-Franklin)

• Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton)

• Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay)

• Andre Jacque (R-DePere)

• John Jagler (R-Watertown) 

• Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield)

• Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) 

• Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green)

• Steve Nass (R-Whitewater)

• Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond)

• Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville)

If you are not able to participate in one of these sessions, no problem, we can make sure you are involved! Get in touch with questions and ideas anytime at akatz@createwisconsin.org or (608) 335-7909.

And make plans to attend CREATE WISCONSIN DAY on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 

We hope you will also be part of Create Wisconsin Day, Wisconsin’s most important creative sector conference, happening at the Overture Center for the Arts in downtown Madison on Wednesday, February 21, 9 am - 2 pm. Create Wisconsin Day's Legislative Agenda includes the Rural Creative Economy Development and Artistic Endowment Foundation bills. And, there's a pre-conference happening the day before at the new Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Center for Music, just a mile from downtown, to start off the advocating, friend-making, and idea-sharing.  Click here for more info and to register.  Thanks for your good work and your advocacy!