Progress — 2013
Page 51
Three Lakes continues advancement of 20-year economic development plan A blueprint focused around four cornerstones of technology, tourism, agriculture and cultural arts has helped guide Three Lakes during the past few years, allowing the community to make numerous developmental strides. The progress being measured in Three Lakes today began with the adoption of the town’s 20-year comprehensive plan in December 2009. In the ensuing three years, dozens of volunteers led by the Town Board of Supervisors and the Plan Commission have been busy building the local economy. The volunteers were appointed to committees mirroring the nine main chapters of the 20-year plan. Areas of focus include economic development, recruitment of new business to town, retention of existing business, job creation, building a technology infrastructure, affordable housing for young families with small children to attend the Three Lakes schools, protection of the lakes and forests from invasive species, and a stable tourism economy. The volunteers also have worked to ensure that goals are met while maintaining the same qualities that have made Three Lakes a unique North Woods community. The results speak for themselves. Since 2009, Three Lakes has received more than $1.25 million in grants. The funds have been used for many areas of need, including the total reconstruction of the roads and sewers in the central residential district and building one of the finest boat landings in the region on Townline Lake. Starting in 2013, the town will create nearly $250,000 worth of sidewalks connecting the school campus with homes where children reside as part of the Safe Routes to School program. “When I took office in 2009, there was this attitude that we were on our own in Three Lakes and that going after grant programs in a big way was out of our reach,” said Three Lakes Chairman Don Sidlowski.
Speakers at a recent symposium on broadband Internet held by the UW-Extension Office of Broadband Sustainability (UWEX OBS) and the Three Lakes Economic Development Committee included, from left, UW-EX OBS Communications
“I refused to accept that view and realized that if we could demonstrate a need that was in lockstep with the issues, goals, objectives and policies in our long-term plan, that the funding agencies would see we were on a mission and respond accordingly,” he said. Armed with that vision, the town began the pursuit of every grant dollar
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and Web Manager Jennifer Smith; UW-EX OBS Community and Economic Development Manager Professor Andy Lewis; UWEX OBS Director Marie Alvarez-Stroud and Three Lakes Economic Development Committee Chairman Don Sidlowski. —Photo By Jan Hintz
for which it could qualify. Having a plan and the will to bring it to life is only part of the process, according to Sidlowski. “You need funds to accomplish all these things, and in a small community there just aren’t enough local taxpayer dollars to do that,” he said. “They have to be supplemented with outside
sources.” Perhaps the most pivotal decision made early on was to transform Three Lakes into an anchor for technology in the North Woods. More than just a slogan, it’s an ongoing program which aims to bring broadband and highTo THREE LAKES PLAN, Pg. 52
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