As Madison continues to look for ways to support investment in infrastructure, we help connect entrepreneurs to customers, investors, educators and other entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs work with the city and various groups committed to supporting entrepreneurial growth. Together we help support these types of connection.

The city is currently investing in two entrepreneurial spaces over the next few years. One is focused on our key emerging economic sectors — technology; and the other is focused on one of our longest-standing sectors — food.

StartingBlock Madison is an entrepreneurial hub being built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs in our downtown corridor. Led by its primary champion in the form of American Family Insurance (a 90-year-old, Madison-grown Fortune 500 company), StartingBlock is likely to become the Midwest’s epicenter for entrepreneurial activity. The city is proud to be joining forces with one of its stalwart employers alongside Madison’s next generation of great companies to make this project happen.

The work I have led in the creation of The Madison Public Market will create a regional hub for food entrepreneurs, from farmers to manufacturers. The Public Market will be the anchor to our developing food-manufacturing corridor, taking advantage of Madison’s growing food economy and strong central location in the food belt of the country.

Connection is not just about buildings. The city is leading an innovative effort to address the complex issue of equitable internet connectivity. The lack of consistent internet access for underserved communities will continue to create disadvantages leading to a further widening of educational achievement gaps and lack of opportunity for employment and small business creation.

The creation of our Digital Technology Committee allowed the city a venue for a variety of digital access and service leaders to come together and work with area companies on solutions to bridge the growing digital divide in our community. One result is a new program that will offer low cost internet solutions for underserved neighborhoods and provide access to free computers with computer education classes.

This is a solution that could only arise with a strong partnership between government, private and nonprofit sectors. Thanks to other community and neighborhood leaders for their work.

Stay well.