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— Wisconsin is seeing more rural population growth than most other Midwest states, particularly in areas where tourism plays a big role in the local economy.
That’s according to the latest Wisconsin Policy Forum report, which shows the state’s rural population grew 5.1 percent between 2000 and 2022. That’s the second-highest growth in the Midwest after North Dakota.
And while that averages out to just a 0.23 percent increase per year, report authors note that’s “relatively strong” in the Midwest context. Across 12 states that make up the region, the rural population has fallen 1.1 percent since 2000, the report shows.
Plus, WPF notes about a third of the state’s non-metropolitan counties have lost population in the past two decades or so. But that figure was “far higher” in other Midwest states. And most of the state’s rural counties “held steady” or added residents during that time.
“These figures offer an important counterpoint to an oft-repeated narrative of rural decline,” report authors wrote.
Since 2010, some of the state’s rural counties have seen relatively rapid growth.
While two of the top six Wisconsin counties that had population growth of 10 percent or more since 2010 are urban — Dane and St. Croix — the next four are all rural. Those include Sawyer, Vilas, Bayfield and Burnett. Others with strong population growth in that period include Brown, Outagamie, Eau Claire and Door counties.
WPF notes the fast-growing rural counties included in the report are “dominated by many of rural Wisconsin’s top destinations for tourism and recreation,” and are attractive to retirees — especially those who own vacation properties in these areas.
See the full report: https://wispolicyforum.org/research/why-is-wisconsins-rural-population-growth-outpacing-the-midwest/
— This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Nick Myers, CEO and co-founder of Madison-based RedFox AI.
The startup company has a conversational artificial intelligence platform that’s meant to help guide patients through the process of at-home diagnostics testing or using medical devices.
Myers discusses the company’s ongoing business development efforts, his experience with raising investment funds and related strategies.
“As of May, [we] have jumped back into the fundraising ring and have already had several conversations with investors again, and we’re pretty confident that we’ll be able to close on our round here by the end of October,” he said.
The company recently announced its inaugural board of advisors, with Myers emphasizing the impact these experts will have on the company’s trajectory. These include: Gary Frings, recently retired chief information officer for Madison-based diagnostics company Exact Sciences; Harry Pappas, a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Intelligent Health Association; and Craig Gadke, an executive in the financial technology space.
“There’s a clear line of how we’re going to get to our exit in the next five to seven years, and we hope that will really resonate with the investors that we talk with,” he said.
Listen to the show here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisbusiness-the-podcast-with-nick-myers-redfox-ai/
See the full list of WisBusiness.com podcasts: https://www.wisbusiness.com/category/podcast/
— UW-Madison’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center is getting $18 million in federal funding from the National Science Foundation.
According to yesterday’s announcement, the grant will fund the center for the next six years.
MRSEC includes more than 30 faculty working across nine departments at the university, as well as other collaborators, according to the release. Their efforts seek to shed light on properties of various materials, including glass, “supercooled” liquids and many more.
“Our continued success reflects the strength and breadth of the materials research effort across campus,” said MRSEC Director Paul Voyles, a professor of materials science and engineering.
See more on the center’s work here: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/uw-madison-uw-will-launch-materials-engineering-research-initiative-with-major-msf-sponsorship/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— UW-Madison researchers are launching a five-year study to explore the possible link between asthma and Alzheimer’s disease.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
Sign up here: http://forms.gle/o8FtqTLviGJPja8C9
— Port Washington is getting a $187,000 state grant to help develop a new headquarters for Hollander Chocolate.
In a release yesterday, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. announced the Community Development Investment Grant to help renovate a blighted vacant lot that previously housed an auto dealership. Once that’s finished, the space will be used for the chocolate company’s headquarters and distribution center.
Hollander Chocolate is a subsidiary of Gourmet Source LLC that was launched in the state in 2017, according to WEDC. The company produces chocolate sauces and powders for restaurants, cafes and retail consumers.
“What we have in this site is the ability to bring all our talent into one place, and we want to hire from the talent pool right in Port Washington,” Doug Podzilni, the company’s president and co-founder, said in a statement.
See more project details: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisconsin-economic-development-corporation-city-of-port-washington-receives-187000-state-grant-to-support-revitalizing-city-gateway/
#TOP STORIES#
# Rebar-tying robot helps ironworkers with the County Highway AB overpass project
# Drought conditions in southern Wisconsin worsen amid lack of significant rainfall
# Texas heat wave boosts stock of Wisconsin generator manufacturer Generac
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Boosting agricultural growth: Wisconsin companies secure USDA fertilizer grant
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=637&yr=2023
– Celebrating excellence in agriculture education: Jessica Rettler honored
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=635&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Potawatomi Casino closer to completing first phase in $100 million renovation project
– Village of Grafton officials approve plans for 172-unit farm-style apartment building
# EDUCATION
– University of Wisconsin to review admissions policy after Supreme Court rules against affirmative action
– Phonics mandate: What to know about a new Wisconsin reading bill
# ENVIRONMENT
– Air quality conditions expected to improve across Wisconsin before the weekend
– DNR extends air quality alert until Friday at noon
# HEALTH CARE
– 13 mobile opioid treatment programs are coming to Wisconsin. Here’s what we know.
# LEGAL
– U.S. Supreme Court ruling keeps open possibility of legal challenge to Wisconsin’s congressional maps
# MANUFACTURING
– Briggs & Stratton expands its portfolio following acquisition of California company
# POLITICS
– Senate GOP passes state budget that cuts taxes, eliminates Democratic policy priorities
– In surprise move, state Senate moves to vote on top elections official after Elections Commission deadlock
– What’s in the Wisconsin state budget, when will it be approved and other answers to budget questions
# TECHNOLOGY
– North Carolina startup takes grand prize at Summerfest Tech’s Pitch Competition
# TRANSPORTATION
– Milwaukee continues streetcar extension plans despite new funding obstacles
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
Fincantieri Marine Group: Shipyards celebrate second-year “green” certification
Converge Media: Converge Radio 101.9FM and Valley Media Works merge to form Converge Media
