The CEDS provides a detailed assessment of economic development conditions in North Central Wisconsin, and identifies a Regional Economic Development Strategy, which includes goals and objectives. This then provides the foundation for the NCWRPC economic development work plan. Along with maintaining our designation as an EDD, updating the CEDS provides access to grant funds from EDA for our Region.
The 2026 CEDS Five-Year Update consists of the following seven chapters: Introduction, Demographics & Employment, Economic Conditions, Existing Infrastructure, SWOT Analysis, Economic Development Resources, and Regional Strategy.
The Regional Strategy chapter contains a set of 7 goals, with each goal containing multiple objectives. These goals and objectives seek to strengthen the economy, improve economic resilience, and together formulate the Regional Strategy. The Action Plan at the end of the CEDS demonstrates the efforts that need to be taken to help implement the Regional Strategy.
Preparation and adoption of the CEDS maintains the Region’s EDD designation and also maintains grant eligibility for those participating units of government. This CEDS process maintains the Region’s eligibility as an Economic Development District (EDD) with the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The District consists of ten counties. These counties are Adams, Forest, Juneau, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas, and Wood.






