Contact: Nancy Craig (319) 786-4788
Event will focus on growing your own jobs and wealth
MADISON , WI – September 18, 2008 – Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), wants to help Midwest communities plant the seeds of success for economic development. The utility company plans to host an interactive, one-day workshop called Economic Gardening: Growing your own jobs and wealth in Belmont , Wisconsin , on September 23 and in Madison on September 24, 2008.
Chris Gibbons, Director-Business and Industry Affairs Department, City of Littleton , Colorado , will facilitate the workshop. Gibbons runs an internationally recognized and award-winning program – Economic Gardening. In the workshop, Gibbons will share his gardening tools and techniques for growing vibrant, prosperous communities. The session is designed for elected officials, economic development professionals and boards and community / business leaders in Midwest communities.
“Gibbons brings entrepreneurship development to the people who care the most,” said Diane Ramsey-Director, Economic Development, Interstate Power and Light. “He will teach attendees about the needs of entrepreneurs and the economics related to community development.”
Registration, a continental breakfast and networking begin at 7:30. The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Belmont Travel Center , 102 W. Mound View Avenue , Belmont , Wisconsin . In Madison , the workshop will be held at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center , 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way . Through an interactive process, workshop attendees will:
· Understand the community trap and why rural communities get caught;
· Evaluate what your community needs to cultivate entrepreneurs;
· Determine actions to jump start your team and build a supporting infrastructure.
“One of the most significant ways we can help communities succeed is through partnership and education,” Ramsey added. “The Economic Gardening workshop promises to be an information-packed day where city leaders can connect with one another, share ideas and leave with practical advice on improving their communities. I hope many community leaders will participate.”
Additional workshops will be offered at other locations on the following dates:
October 13 – Albert Lea , Minnesota
October 14 – Ames , Iowa
October 15, 2008 – Creston , Iowa
For more details and to register, visit http://www.midwestsites.com or contact Shelly Turner via e-mail at: shellyturner@alliantenergy.com
Alliant Energy is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving approximately 1 million electric and 400,000 natural gas customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electric and natural gas service is the company’s primary focus. Wisconsin Power and Light, the company’s Wisconsin utility subsidiary, serves approximately 450,000 electric and 175,000 natural gas customers. Alliant Energy, headquartered in Madison, Wis., is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.alliantenergy.com.
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