Serving Calumet, Fond du Lac, Menominee, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties.
Economic Development Plans
The East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) was designated as an Economic Development District (EDD) in 1984 by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). The EDA provides financial assistance to designated districts, in part, for the purpose of developing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), the Region’s economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
The CEDS document analyzes the East Central WI Region’s current economic conditions and serves as a guide for establishing regional goals and objectives, as well as developing and implementing a region plan of action. It is a working document used by both the public and private sectors to provide leadership with a current picture of the economic state of the region.
Unanimously adopted by the Commission on October 27, 2023, and submitted to the EDA, the 2023 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 5-Year Update analyzes the East Central WI Region’s current economic conditions, establishes regional goals and objectives, and provides a plan of action for regional economic development.
2022 CEDS Annual Performance Report
Small Community Technical Assistance
The Small Community Technical Assistance program provided support to 12 communities between 2021 and 2022 across the East Central Wisconsin EDD. Following a Request for Qualifications, ECWRPC and a core team selected Ayres Associates Inc. to implement the program in 2021. The program provided communities with full-day, project specific workshops to address the economic impacts of COVID-19 in the particular community. Each workshop was designed to first identify project specific challenges and priorities in order for the consultant to develop a solution or concept for the community by the end of the session. Workshop activities consisted of visioning sessions, downtown walkabouts, zoning consultations, and project collaborations to develop conceptual site plans, provide recommendations for change, or identify funding opportunities.
Building on the success of the program in 2021 and 2022, ECWRPC secured funding to implement the continuation of the Small Community Technical Assistance Program in 2023. After a Request for Qualifications, ECWRPC and a core team selected Ayres Associates Inc. to implement the program in 2023. Following the successful format of previous year, Ayres Associates staff distributed a competitive application for the program and received ten applications. A competitive review process coordinated between Ayres Associates staff, ECWRPC, and the core team resulted in four communities selected to receive assistance in 2023. The four communities received an array of technical assistance during the week of October 9th included downtown walkabouts, visioning sessions, sketches, and recommendations for positive change related to the community’s specific project. Following the workshops, Ayres provided reports summarizing the results of the technical assistance in each community.
2021 Small Community Technical Assistance Final Report
2022 Small Community Technical Assistance Final Report
2023 Small Community Technical Assistance Final Report
Disaster Recovery and Economic Resiliency Plan
The Disaster Recovery and Economic Resiliency Plan for East Central Wisconsin evaluates the region’s economic health and resilience, particularly in response to challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Prepared by the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, the document analyzes economic trends from 2015 to 2021, covering key sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, retail, construction, real estate, education, and information services. It incorporates both quantitative economic data and qualitative stakeholder insights, reflecting on the pandemic’s impacts, recovery efforts, and future preparedness strategies. Such planning is vital as it helps communities understand economic vulnerabilities, facilitates informed decision-making, and supports targeted investments to strengthen economic resilience and sustainability across the region.
