Incourage, UW-Stevens Point form partnership

From left, UWSP Chancellor Bernie Patterson, Incourage CEO Kelly Ryan, Incourage Board Chair Kristopher Gasch, and Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration Joel Brennan were among the officials present to announce the Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Submitted photo

Posted Wednesday, March 20, 2019 3:50 pm

For the Rapids City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Incourage of Wisconsin Rapids announced a partnership today to provide expertise for sustainable economic change in central Wisconsin. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities will align university resources to support innovation and opportunity in the Tribune building located in downtown Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

UW-Stevens Point’s strategic plan aims to create healthy, vibrant, prosperous and sustainable communities, Chancellor Bernie Patterson said at the Tribune building. “We have an opportunity to bring university expertise to co-create with the community. We will listen to learn how to be of service to Wisconsin Rapids and the region. We’re excited to be a part of profound transformation.”

Former home of the daily newspaper, the Tribune was purchased by Incourage with the intent that residents would determine future uses. More than 2,000 individuals have engaged in the Tribune Building Project (incouragecf.org/learn/tribune-building), giving their time and money, and demonstrating their role as informed and active citizens.

Through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, UW-Stevens Point and Incourage will work with Mid-State Technical College, North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, and numerous other collaborators representing community and economic development, K-16 education, investors, philanthropy, local businesses, food networks, and downtown neighbors. While creating on-site collaboration within the Tribune, this partnership is far more than shared office space.

This model is an innovative undertaking, working outside the normal channels of research and development within any individual institution, Ryan said. “The partnership honors the key assets that have long fueled the economy while providing the infrastructure needed to foster, retain and attract the innovators and entrepreneurs of the future.”

To learn more about the Tribune, email tribunebuilding@incouragecf.org. To provide input for the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, email jenny.resch@uwsp.edu.