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“Navigating the Course toDevelopment and Prosperity”

June 10, 2010

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Partners Alliant Energy Blackhawk Hills Resource Conservation and

Development Area (IL) Greater Dubuque Development Corporation (IA) East Central Iowa Intergovernmental Association

(IA) Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative (WI) Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning

Commission Southwestern Wisconsin Workforce Development

Board University of Wisconsin-Platteville

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A Region with Many Strengths

14 counties

584,681 people A favorable “crossroads” location Food & agricultural strength Rich manufacturing legacy Excellence in education & health Scenic landscapes—

a river runs through it!

The RiverLands Region

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A Region with Many Opportunities and Challenges

Many of the Region’s workers commute, but 93% stay in the Region.

The Region’s income is sliding relative to the three states

Job growth lags behind

The RiverLands Region

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Purpose Work together to :

Craft a regional strategy Build robust regional governance – a regional

roundtable to guide us in implementing our regional strategy and to serve as a leader in thinking and acting as a region

Deliberately pursue and invest in innovation Create an entrepreneurial climate and grow

entrepreneurs

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RiverLands Assessment

Engaged the RUPRI Center

Identify the economic assets that distinguish the region

Identify what the region does best in the global economy

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5 Key Strengths Identified

RiverLands Strategic Opportunities Food and Agriculture Tourism Manufacturing Business services Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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Today’s Agenda

Biomass and Renewable Energy Initiatives

Regional Food Systems Opportunities for Partnership

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Conclusion

Good News! Region has financial and human wealth

to accomplish its goals Doing so will require the best possible

partnership between public and private leaders from all corners of RiverLands

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RiverLands

Let’s get started…