Community Prosperity Alliance, a division of Southwest Partners, will host the second annual Richland Area Economic Development Summit on Wednesday, February 19, at 6:00 p.m. in the Coppertop Theatre on the UW Platteville-Richland campus, 1200 US Hwy. 14 in Richland Center. This annual event is free and open to the public. 

The Summit is an opportunity to bring together business, city and county leaders for an update on issues that impact local and regional economies. Participants will network with others about growth and improvement prospects for the greater Richland County Area. Hear from speakers who will reflect on 2019, provide updates on current activity, and share their vision for the future. WRCO’s Ron Fruit will serve as the event’s emcee. 

Speakers will include Richland Center Mayor Mike Kaufman, Richland County Board Chair Jeanetta Kirkpatrick, local business leader Sheila Troxel, and President of Southwest Partners and Community Prosperity Alliance Mike Breininger.

The featured guest speaker will be economic development expert Steven C. Deller, who will discuss “Best Practices for Rural Economic Development” to end the evening. Deller is a Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Interim Director of the Center for Community & Economic Development with University of Wisconsin-Extension. Deller’s work focuses on regional economics and local public finance, with an eye toward economic development strategies at both the state and local level. His current work focuses on entrepreneurship and small business development within the framework of social capital.

Everyone is invited to stay after the keynote presentation for refreshments and networking.