WEDA Announces 2026 Community and Economic Development Awards Finalists

Middleton, WI – Finalists for the 2026 Community and Economic Development Awards (CEDA) were announced today by the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA). The CEDA Awards were established by WEDA to recognize and celebrate businesses, projects, organizations, and communities that are making significant contributions to the Wisconsin economy.

“The WEDA Community and Economic Development Awards is Wisconsin’s premier program for recognizing the work and success of the state’s economic development community. It provides a tremendous opportunity to celebrate innovative projects that are promoting growth and prosperity throughout Wisconsin,” said WEDA President and CEO Melissa Hunt. “The work of economic development professionals is often overlooked. The CEDA Awards allow us to recognize their efforts and contributions to communities across the state. Congratulations to all our finalists!”

Three economic development projects or programs were selected in each of the four following CEDA categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Economic Development Initiative; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction, Development and Retention. The winners in each category will be announced at the CEDA Awards ceremony luncheon, which will be held on Thursday, September 17, as part of WEDA’s Fall Best Practices Conference in Kenosha, WI.

Listed below are the recently announced 2026 CEDA Award finalists in each category:

• Business Retention and Expansion:

This award recognizes a single economic development project in which a community successfully mobilized to retain or expand an existing business of great importance to the community.

• Rogers Behavioral Health Chippewa Falls Expansion Initiative – Chippewa Falls, WI

• Weinbrenner Shoe Company – Marshfield, WI

• Worthington Cylinders Expansion Project – Chilton, WI

• Economic Development Initiative

This award recognizes innovation in community and economic development that promotes economic growth within communities and regions.

• Appleton International Airport Terminal Expansion and Renovation – Appleton, WI

• Boys & Girls Clubs – Judy Corbett Hutchens Workforce Readiness Center Construction – La Crosse, WI

• Green Bay Packers Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) – Green Bay, WI

• Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse

This award recognizes innovative real estate redevelopment or reuse projects that demonstrate measurable and quantitative impact on employment and tax base.

• New Richmond Community Library: A Public-Private Partnership – New Richmond, WI

• State Street Campus Garage Mixed-Use Project – Madison, WI

• Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center – City of Janesville, WI

• Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention

This award recognizes initiatives or programs that can document successful talent attraction, development, and retention outcomes.

• NEW Digital Alliance Investor Mentorship Program – Northeast, WI

• NEW Construction Leadership Academy – Northeast, WI

• Rock Internship & Externship Programs – Rock County, WI

Nominated projects were screened and selected by an impartial panel of judges comprised of WEDA members and partners. The independent panel reviewed many projects that were submitted for consideration, but the 12 finalists were ultimately selected based on the significant economic impact each project has on its respective community or region.

The 2026 CEDA Awards would not be possible without the support of WEDA’s generous partners and sponsors, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC); Alliant Energy; First Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise (FIRE); Madison Gas and Electric; Xcel Energy; Associated Bank; and Meta.