Oct. 29, 2008
30th Small City and Regional Community conference held at UWSP
The UWSP Center for the Small City and Regional Community Conference
will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens
Point on November 5 and 6. The free, public conference theme is “Social
and Economic Development in the Small City.”
Thirty years ago a handful of faculty members at UWSP approached then
Chancellor Lee Sherman Dreyfus, as well as Letters and Science Dean
Joseph Woodka, with a visionary idea that ultimately blossomed into
the Center, today considered a national model.
“Economic development alone is not enough for America’s small cities
and regions. While economic development is critical and fundamental
to a healthy small city and/or region, cities and regions need to also
focus on social development: education, infrastructure, public safety,
health care, clean water, and a whole host of other areas,” said
conference co-founder Robert Wolensky, professor of sociology.
“A community’s quality of life demands a dual approach where economic
and social goals merge to create a healthy and sustainable city or region,"
he added.
The conference begins Wednesday, November 5, at 7 p.m., in the
Dreyfus University Center Laird Room with two featured keynote speakers
from the UW-Madison Extension Center for Community and Economic Development.
Matt Kures, a geographic information systems (GIS) specialist and lecturer,
and Greg Wise, director and community development specialist, will present
“The Role of Small Cities in the New Regional Economy.” UWSP Provost Mark
Nook will give welcome remarks prior to the keynote address.
As in the past, the Small City and Regional Community conference gives
researchers in the private and public sectors, regional community leaders,
and nonprofit executives an opportunity to share best practices, whether
in good or not-so-good economic times, according to Edward Miller, professor
of political science and conference co-founder.
“By design, Thursday’s panel discussions focus on Central Wisconsin and
its present and future needs,” said Miller. “We are again fortunate to
have many leaders from throughout the region taking part and sharing their
expertise. The panelists will also be offering pathways for Central Wisconsin
to grow the regional economy while meeting the social development and
infrastructure needs, from schools to clean water.”
Conference sponsors include the Center for the Small City and the university’s
College of Letters and Science. Copies of the conference proceedings, published
by the UWSP Foundation Press, will be available for purchase. The previous
sixteen volumes of proceedings can be found at the University Library and at
the U.S. Library of Congress.
Two sets of concurrent panel discussions will take place Thursday, November
6, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Dreyfus University Center. Schedule below:
Thursday, November 6
- Panel I: “Health Care Issues in Small Cities and
Towns,” 10 a.m., Room 378
Moderator: Edward Miller. Panelists: Daniel McCarty, assistant professor of
health sciences, UWSP; Brenda Diamond, Ministry Health Dental Clinic, Stevens
Point; Edward Miller, UWSP; Faye Tetzloff, Portage County health officer.
- Panel II: “Environmental Issues,” 10 a.m., Encore Room
Moderator: Samantha Kaplan, assistant professor of geography and geology, UWSP.
Panelists: Anna Haines, director, Center for Land Use Education, UWSP; Neil Heywood,
professor of physical geography and associate dean, College of Letters and Science;
Amy Heart, director, Midwest Renewable Energy Associates.
- Panel III: “Central Wisconsin Mayors Forum, Social
and Economic Development in Central Wisconsin” 1 p.m., Room 374
Moderator: Edward Miller. Panelists: Stevens Point Mayor Andrew Halverson, Wausau
Mayor James Tipple, Marshfield Mayor Chris Meyer, Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Mary Jo
Carson.
- Panel IV: “Social vs. Economic Development in Small
Cities and Towns: Can We Have Economic Growth and Social Sustainability?” 1 p.m.,
Encore Room
Moderator Robert Wolensky. Panelists: Karl Pnazek, CEO (retired) CAP Services,
Stevens Point; Ray Nass, CEO (retired) Joerns Furniture, Stevens Point, and Apollo
Industries, Somerset; James Simmons, professor of political science, UW-Oshkosh;
and Bob Williams, Owner, Ideas Associates, Stevens Point.
More information about the Center is on the Web at
www.uwsp.edu/polisci/smallcity/center.html or by
calling 715-346-2708.
