HUDSON - St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) has announced plans to hold a series of events to share results and discuss a new study of housing issues across the county.  The first ever St. Croix County comprehensive survey is nearing completion and was designed to review the current housing supply, analyze the county’s future housing demand, define potential gaps between the supply and demand, and highlight key hurdles and challenges that may need to be resolved to help fill these gaps. The study will also have a series of specific findings and some recommended actions.

“How we deal with the challenges and opportunities related to housing is an important conversation for the entire county,” said Melissa Meschke, Executive Director of St. Croix EDC. “We conducted the study to make sure this conversation is as informed as possible. The data is comprehensive to help us better understand what’s happening today, what data suggests will happen in the future, and to look at ideas and recommendations to help everyone make better decisions. We are excited to be ready to share the information and are looking forward to the conversations with all our stakeholders.”

SCEDC hired the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, a multi-county planning agency, to conduct the survey. The commission works on planning for physical, social and economic development in Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Polk, and St. Croix counties.

The study was designed to create a housing needs assessment, an affordable housing solutions toolbox, a county-wide housing snapshot, and housing snapshots for specific municipalities. It will document all the study findings and recommended actions. The snapshots will summarize demographic and housing data within the community, along with the county’s housing needs and goals, as documented in the county-wide housing study.

The State of Wisconsin has projected St. Croix County’s population will increase by approximately 10% from 2020 to 2050, yet household sizes are expected to decrease. This will likely lead to an increased number of households and a greater need for additional housing units.

“With so much change happening here, from population changes and an evolving regional economy, we think having updated baseline facts about housing is incredibly important,” Meschke said. “We also realized that a comprehensive, county-wide housing study has never been conducted until now.”

SCEDC Housing Study Meeting Schedule

• July 8, 6-8 p.m., Christian Community Homes (1320 Wisconsin St., Hudson)
• July 15, 9-11 a.m., Hammond Village Office (455 Davis St., Hammond)
• July 24, 730-9:30 a.m., City Council Chambers (222 Lewis St., River Falls)
• 6, 6-8 p.m., Northwood Tech (1019 S. Knowles Ave., New Richmond)
• 12, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Somerset Public Library (208 Hud St., Somerset)
• 21, 1-3 p.m., Richmond Town Hall (1428 100^th St.)
• 25, 6-8 p.m., Western Wisconsin Health (1100 Bergslien St., Baldwin)

The SCEDC operates as an independent economic development arm 501(c)6 that serves the entire St. Croix County. The St. Croix EDC focuses on fostering economic development in the county by participating in workforce development, housing, entrepreneurial development, business expansion and retention, business attraction and recruitment, and ecosystem building. St. Croix EDC also strives to grow collaboration between the 35 towns, cities, and villages in St. Croix County as well as working closely with Pierce and Polk County to grow the St. Croix Valley as a whole.  To learn more, please visit stcroixedc.com.

Submitted by St. Croix EDC