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What’s New at the Tribune

What's New at the Tribune

Keep up-to-date with the latest Tribune Project happenings. Email us at [email protected] if you'd like to receive Enewsletter updates.

Good - Kristie Rauter & Nancy edited 1 Good - MaryW's table from above Good Kris table

Spring 2023

Work Behind the Scenes Continues to Advance Ideas & Plans: With questions about the status of the project, and whether it is still moving forward, we can assure you the answer is a resounding Yes! With many original ideas initiated during the public meeting process already happening in our community, we are working behind the scenes to advance the additional ideas and plans crafted throughout the public meeting process. This has included:

  • Evaluating the feasibility of ideas generated during the public meeting process within our community’s current landscape to create a venue that includes possible:
    • Public Market concepts for the first floor.
    • Entrepreneurial opportunities for the second floor.
    • Opportunities for expanding rooftop uses.
  • Pursuing additional funding sources.
  • Identifying and engaging with prospective partners and stakeholders.
  • Adapting existing plans to best suit our community’s changing needs.

The journey continues with our collective ideas to make this project a reality. We look forward to sharing further updates with you.

Winter 2022/2023

The Tribune Building Project has always been about more than just redeveloping a physical building. It has been centered around resident input and involvement which seeks to empower residents and create a hub of inclusive economic growth for our community. It is an opportunity and a journey for the people of this community to have a voice in creating our shared future.

  • Continuing the Journey: We often hear questions about the status of the project, and whether it is still moving forward. The answer is a resounding Yes! We have continued behind the scenes to advance the ideas and plans crafted throughout the public meeting process. This has included: 
    • Exploring a Public Market concept for the first floor/restaurant/retail portion of the building
    • Pursuing additional funding sources
    • Identifying and engaging with prospective partners and stakeholders
    • Adapting existing plans to best suit our community’s changing needs

We remain encouraged by the many residents who continue to share with us their ideas and excitement for the project, and their commitment to helping revitalize this unique community space. We are continuing the journey with our collective ideas to make this project a reality.  

Fall 2022

  • Work Behind the Scenes Continues: While the pandemic drastically impacted our ability to move forward quickly, we have continued behind the scenes to advance the ideas and plans crafted throughout the public meeting process. This includes:
    • pursuing additional funding sources;
    • identifying and engaging with prospective partners and stakeholders; and
    • adapting existing plans to best suit our community’s changing needs.
  • Physical Construction Not Only Indicator of Progress: We are encouraged by the many residents who continue to share with us their ideas and excitement for the project, and their commitment to helping revitalize this unique community space.
  • Assessing Space Usage within the Tribune Building: The Tribune Building Project has always been about more than the building. As ideas initiated at the Tribune public meetings continue to materialize around our community, we have been assessing space usage within the Tribune. A particularly exciting prospect is a Public Market space to feature multiple vendors. The goal of a Public Market is to open the scope of local businesses and entrepreneurs engaging with the Tribune Building, and to create an energetic space to serve as the economic and community hub that has been envisioned for the project from the very beginning. As we move closer to finalizing the plans for space usage and design, we look forward to updating the community about the roadmap for construction. 

Spring/Summer 2022

  • Convenings Continue: Partner and prospective partner conversations continue with additional opportunities being explored.
  • Funding Pursuit Continues: Additional funding sources continue to be actively pursued and will be shared when confirmation is received.
  • Ideas Initiated at Tribune Public Meetings are Happening: The Tribune Building Project has always been about more than the building. A variety of ideas initiated at the Tribune public meetings are already being put to action; ideas include:
    • Makerspace at McMillan Memorial Library.
    • Culinary kitchen training opportunities through the Boys & Girls Club/YMCA and MSTC.
    • Home brewing club and collaborative opportunities, including 2 Doors Down Brewing Company which employs several members of the brewing club.
    • Meeting and training spaces in our community.
    • Arts and cultural classes offered in our community.
    • Outdoor performance space at the Central Wisconsin Cultural Center.
    • Farmer’s market located along the riverfront near the Tribune, and a Winter’s farmer’s market held in a downtown space.

Fall/Winter 2021

  • Convenings Continue: Conversations with our partner UW-Stevens Point as well as with prospective partners continue with additional opportunities being explored.
  • City EDA Application Approved: The City of Wisconsin Rapids’ successful EDA application to support the Paper Mill Recovery and Redevelopment Plan presents an opportunity to focus on and develop underutilized areas surrounding the mill in the downtown. Development of those parcels, including the Tribune, may be a catalyst to the mill’s redevelopment. In light of a changing paper industry that has been core to our community, support for innovation and entrepreneurship is more important than ever.

Spring/Summer 2021

  • Convenings Resume: Conversations with our partner University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and prospective partners resumed post COVID-19.
  • Ideas Initiated at Tribune Public Meetings are Happening: The Tribune Building Project has always been about more than the building. A variety of ideas initiated at the Tribune public meetings are materializing in our community; ideas include:
    • additional makerspace facilities and programming
    • expanded culinary kitchen training opportunities
    • expanded home brewing club/collaborative opportunities
    • new and revitalized meeting/training spaces
    • additional arts and cultural classes offered
    • relocation of the farmer’s market along the riverfront near the Tribune.

Fall/Winter 2020

  • Convenings Continue: Convenings with our partner University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, along with additional prospective partners, occurred during the fall and winter months.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Initiative – Project Hometown: Nov 18, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago hosted a virtual convening: Can Wisconsin Rapids Reinvest Itself Once Again? Incourage board chair Kristopher Gasch was pleased to serve as one of the panelists. Moderated by Steve Kuehl, Senior Advisor, Community and Economic Development, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, who grew up in our community, Kristopher spoke about the Tribune project, and the impact it will have as an economic and community hub.

Spring/Summer 2020

  • Convenings/Tribune Public Meetings: Unfortunately, the current COVID19 pandemic made it challenging to convene or hold any public meetings.
  • Partners: As part of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point partnership, spring semester graphic design students learned about the Tribune project and the impact it will have as an economic and community hub, and used their learning opportunity in class to create concept posters for the Tribune Building project. Angie Hall, a student from our local community, created two concept posters. Partner and prospective partner discussions were held during the spring and summer months; additional partners continued to be pursued.

Winter 2019

  • Convenings Continue: Convenings with our project advisors regarding the operating model, our partner University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, along with additional prospective partners, occurred over the winter months.

Fall 2019

  • Tribune Steering Committee Announced: The newly formed committee is comprised of national, regional, and local leaders across the diverse industries that are advising in the redevelopment of the Tribune. Learn more about the committee here.

Spring/Summer 2019

Fall/Winter 2018

  • City Resolution Passes: Incourage implemented a resident-outreach campaign in October that resulted in a resolution of support from the City of Wisconsin Rapids Common Council that was included as part of the budget request to the State of Wisconsin for Tribune funding.
  • Tribune tours: The UW-Stevens Point leadership team, Wisconsin’s Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and a Department of Workforce Development apprenticeship representative all toured the Tribune building as part of separate Tribune programming partnership opportunities.
  • Budget submission: As part of Incourage’s continued efforts to seek financial support for Tribune renovations, we submitted a request to the State on September 14 for inclusion of the Tribune in the 2019-2021 state biennial budget.
  • Entrepreneurial Development Series: Oct. 24 and 25, the Tribune hosted an Entrepreneurship Development Workshop in partnership with Invest in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, Mid-State Technical College and the UW-Stevens Point Small Business Development Center

Summer 2018

  • Tribune hosted seven Tribune Teaser events that demonstrate the training, new ideas, creativity and connections that the Tribune will host upon completion of renovations: Brews, Brats and Bags; Wellness Wednesday events (x2); Local Food Cooking Class; Farmers Market Chef Demo; Friday Night Lights; and a Floral Arrangement Class
  • More than 100 residents and local civic, business and organizational leaders toured the building 
  • Wisconsin Public Service featured the Tribune in their quarterly statewide newsletter as an example of innovative rural economic development 
  • The Central Wisconsin HealthTIDE Rally featured the Tribune’s role as a critical local health equity project 
  • The Regional Economic Growth Initiative (REGI) hosted a Central Wisconsin Economic Development Summit that featured a tour of the Tribune by more than 50 regional economic development, business, and legislative leaders

Spring 2018

  • Centergy, the Central WI Economic Development Alliance, included Tribune in its advocacy agenda for the 2018 Central Wisconsin Days in Madison as an exemplar of rural economic development, innovation and entrepreneurship in its five county service area
  • Tribune became a permanent project on the international crowdfunding site GlobalGiving.org

Fall 2017

September 7, 2017
Headlines include: State Budget Announcement

Summer 2017

August 17, 2017
Headlines include: Public meeting September 12; Invest in your community!; Monarchs and chrysalides still available!

July 12, 2017
Headlines include: Monarchs now available!; Support the Tribune and win 4 Rafters Founders tickets!; Visits to the Tribune Building; Volunteer at the Community Picnic.

June 20, 2017
Headlines include: Tribune Building Project featured in SSIR; Support the Tribune and win 4 Rafters Founders tickets!; Monarch fundraiser; Brat Fry; Gannett’s “A Community Thrives” grant contest; Reminder: Strawberry Summer Celebration.

May 3, 2017
Headlines include: Tribune Brat Fry | Friday, May 19; A Community Thrives (ACT) grant contest; New donation webpage; Monarch fundraiser; State budget; Facebook page.

Spring 2017

March 22, 2017
Headlines include: Community Information Session: Tribune Building; Confluence Project site visit; State Budget update.

Winter 2017

February 8, 2017
Headlines include: Share your love for community this Valentine’s Day!; Incourage Community Information Session: Tribune Building; Voice your support for the Tribune!

January 18, 2017
Headlines include: Join us January 24; …and again on January 25!

December 8, 2016
Headlines include: Join us December 13; Riverfront design presentation; Pulaski site visit.

Fall 2016

September 8, 2016
Headlines include: Join us September 19; Tribune receives APA award; Updated FAQ; Tribune 101 presentations.

Fall 2016

June 24, 2016
Headlines include: Conditions for success; WIPPS event; Incourage receives $50K; Additional updates.

Spring 2016

April 14, 2016
Headlines include: Join us April 19; Blacksmith studio open house; Historical images needed!; Date Night Cooking Class.

March 12, 2016
Headlines include: Join us March 16; Meet Jenny Harms; Environmental Sustainability event – April 19; Survey reminder; From Kelly: Redefining Philanthropy.

Winter 2016

February 1, 2016
Headlines include: Testifying in favor of Creative Economy; Tribune 101s in demand – schedule yours!; Mark your calendars; Updates to tribunebuilding.org.

Fall 2015

December 11, 2015
Headlines include: Construction Progress Continues; December 1 Meeting Summary; Art in Action in our Community; Holiday Wishes from Incourage.

November 6, 2015
Headlines include: Spread the word about Tribune 101; You can be part of Tribune art; Under Construction; Mark your calendar for next Public Meeting.

October 8, 2015
Headlines include: October 6 Public Meeting; Construction Update; Environmental Sustainability Learning Opportunity; Tribune 101 Presentation.

September 18, 2015
Headlines include: Tribune Meetings Resume on Tuesday, October 6; Learning with Marc Buttera, O’so Brewing Company; Area Schools Welcome “Tribune 101” Presentation; $472K WEDC Grant to Wisconsin Rapids; Grand Affair: A Day to Play, Learn, and Tour the Tribune.

September 1, 2015
Headlines include: In the News! Tribune: Our Community Accelerator; Kelly Ryan’s CEO Blog; Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s news release; WSAW TV7/CBS Broadcast; Community Update from Mayor Vruwink; Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune article; WSAU 550AM/99.9FM Broadcast.

Summer 2015

July 30, 2015
Headlines include: Parking Lot Ownership Transferred to Incourage; Reflections Conversation with Table Hosts Highlights Shared Accomplishments and Confirms Hope for Our Future; Tours with Area Youth Spark Excitement; Learning: FEED Kitchens Tour Highlights; Community Picnic; Tribune Pre-Construction Tour with Helen Jungwirth.

June 23, 2015
Headlines include: Special Opportunities – Tribune Tours June 23 and July 9; Progress Continues; In the News; New Website; Tribune 101 Presentations; Community Picnic.

June 2, 2015
Headlines include: NightSeeing Opportunity; Reminder – Join Us Tonight.

May 22, 2015
Headlines include: Next Tribune Meeting on June 2; Solarus Makes Gift to Tribune; Learning Opportunity – Solar Program; Now Available – Tribune Networking Cards; Balance, Transparency and Equity: Keys to Sustainable Development.

Spring 2015

April 23, 2015
Headlines include: Tribune on Target: Construction Manager Announced & Detailed Designs Revealed; ArtPlace Opportunity Artists Selected; Downtown Development Interest Group; Join Us; Please Share.

March 25, 2015
Headlines include: Tribune. A Champion of the People; LEED Certification, Sustainability Features, Construction Management; Join us for our next Public Meeting on April 14.

March 6, 2015
Headlines include: Environmental Sustainability: Broad Community Benefit; Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibility; Growing Participation from Downtown Neighbors; Advancing Artists Gather in south Wood County.

Winter 2015

February 10, 2015
Headlines include: Phase 2 Programming Document Now Available; Thank You City of Wisconsin Rapids; Call for Artists Attracts More than 100; General Contractor Selection; Just Launched – Phase 3 Connections; Tribune Building Project “In The News”.

January 9, 2015
Headlines include: Igniting Connections Launches January 27; Call for Artists! $300K Funding Opportunity; Economic Impact | Operating Model; How to Rebuild Architecture; Tribune Building Project Celebration Recap.

Winter 2014

December 3, 2014
Headlines include: December 9 Celebration Event; Building Updates.

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  • Incourage receives APA award for Tribune Building work

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