Wisconsin Economic Development Academy Update

By Kathy Heady – Manager, WI Economic Development Academy

Kathy Heady, WI Economic Development Academy manager

The Wisconsin Economic Development Academy spring/summer programming schedule provides several excellent opportunities for you to build or refresh your skills.

Our first Academy webinar, Tax Incremental Financing Fundamentals was held on April 30th.  Our instructors from Ehlers & Associates, Inc., Dawn Gunderson Schiel, CIPMA, CPFO, Senior Municipal Advisor/Vice President and Greg Johnson, CIPMA, Senior Advisor/Vice President presented a very informative program.  According to the post webinar survey, 77% of those responding rated the webinar as very good or excellent and 90% indicated that the course material was very relevant or extremely relevant. 

On June 25th at 1:30 p.m., the Academy will be holding its second webinar on Development Agreement Fundamentals. If you are new to development agreements or would like a refresher, this is the course for you.  The webinar will provide a basic framework and understanding of development agreements, including what a development agreement is and when it is used, essential elements, best practices and community perspectives.  Our instructors are, Charlie Walker, MPA, CEcD, President and CEO, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation and Katherine C. Hinkle, Associate Attorney, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP. Registration is now open.

The Academy will also be holding an exciting program – Impact through Redevelopment – the morning of July 17 in Milwaukee just prior to the opening of the Mid-America Economic Development Council 2019 Best Practices Conference.  This program will provide attendees with a framework for the redevelopment process and will include classroom style presentations, impactful case study examples as well as hands-on activities. 

Attendees will learn steps to effective redevelopment strategies; methods for evaluating projects; the when, why and how to engage the public; and communication tips and financial tools. 

Our experienced team of course instructors includes Kristen Fish-Peterson, CEcD, Principal/CEO Redevelopment Resources; Stephanie Hacker, AICP LEED AP, Principal/Practice Area Leader, Planning + Urban Design Group, GRAEF; John F. Stibal, Development Department Director, City of West Allis and Kathryn Berger, JD, Manager-Business Development, CG Schmidt Inc.  Registration is open for this exciting opportunity to build an awareness and confidence level around effective redevelopment strategies to use in your community. 

To round out the summer Academy schedule, we will be holding a housing webinar in July.  Information and registration will be available in June.  I hope you will be able to join us for one or more of these exciting and affordable educational opportunities.