Economic Development
Companies in the area also have a vested interest in keeping the city young. Rapids-based Renaissance Learning, a global leader in education software, was recently bought by a venture capital firm in Silicon Valley. The new ownership is keeping the company and dedicated workforce of more than 600 in Rapids. Renaissance’s newly appointed CEO relocated to the area, a testament in Vruwink’s eyes to the outstanding quality of life.
Solarus, the dominant communications service provider in the area, is focused on innovating and updating communication technology. The service provider’s new optics system, dubbed “Media Stream,” allow Rapids to boast connectivity and strength that compare to Chicago and other metropolitan areas.
Economic development in the area requires the workforce to be adaptable to new industry, but also prepared for growth in the manufacturing sector.
“It’s not that manufacturing is not a growth opportunity for us, because it is. But it is a new day in manufacturing. It’s a new skill set, and there’s more skill required,” says Ryan of the industry’s demands.
Since 2008, Rapids has been working with the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, a worker re-training initiative focusing on sectors vital to local economies. As many as 14 manufacturing CEOs, service providers and private and public funders have discussed common training, infrastructure and growth needs. These organizations are pooling money to help retrain former paper workers.
Photo by: Josh Lieberthal
Natural Beauty
Rapids’ reliance on the machines of manufacturing sits in contrast to its emphasis on its natural beauty. Downtown Rapids is bisected by the Wisconsin River and dotted with well-kept parks. Benches and trails line the river, leading to the glacial lake region not far outside the city boundaries. Ryan calls it “nothing less than absolutely inspirational.”
The resources just outside the city, especially the cranberry bogs, are equally impressive. Cranberry harvesting and processing make a significant contribution to the local economy, as Central Wisconsin is the world’s leading cranberry producer.
Rapids residents feel strongly about the natural aspect of their community. Residents yearn for growth that includes preservation of open space.
“We have natural resources that don’t quit here, and perhaps it’s a matter of thinking differently about the assets that we have,” Ryan says of the development potential of the downtown riverfront. Vruwink was adamant about opening kayak and bike rental outlets, encouraging the exploration of the city’s natural offerings.
A Positive Outlook
South Wood County is already seeing positive change throughout the community. New Page, formerly Consolidated Paper, has more employees than it did in 2007. Renaissance Learning is looking for software developers and growing under new ownership.
Area youth are seizing opportunities to be part of the change in Wisconsin Rapids. Two of Vruwink’s high school peers are directors of community organizations.
Nicholas Flanagan, Vruwink’s executive coordinator, came back to the area for a stake in community change after earning a law degree from UW-Madison and an MBA from Marquette.
“I knew I wanted to come back,” Flanagan says. “When I saw that [Vruwink] was looking for somebody to get involved in the community with him to help promote the city to the community and to try to get them involved, I knew that was something special.”
Vruwink is a catalyst for community engagement for even younger populations. He knows that getting area youth excited about change at an early age is essential to retaining them in the future.
“Having a seat at the table, that’s what youth really need,” says Vruwink about his involvement with youth. “They need the opportunity to be listened to, and that’s really why I took such an interest in city government.”
Within weeks of the election, Vruwink toured 9th grade classrooms to generate conversation. Instead of students asking about his new job, the visits turned into dialogs of what the youth wanted to see in their city. He took youth engagement a step further by appointing two high school students as non-voting city council members and creating the Mayor’s Council on Youth.
Ryan and Vruwink are fully aware of the pressing times Rapids has faced, but they quickly point to the communal strength that has emerged.
“I have come to truly value the resilience of the people that live in this community. We have been through 12 years of significant economic change and impact,” Ryan says. “Zach is symbolic of the community’s future. Twelve years ago we would not have elected a 24-year-old mayor.”
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