Making a lasting impression in Viroqua
WEDC Secretary visits planned Vibrant Spaces site, other downtown projects
VIROQUA, WI. MAY 8, 2025 – To stand out from other communities, Viroqua leaders knew they needed to focus their efforts on downtown to create a place that would stay with people long after they leave this city of about 4,500 residents in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless region.
“Downtowns draw people in and leave a lasting impression,” said Aaron Aslin, interim executive director of the Viroqua Chamber. “No one remembers where they parked, but they always remember how a place made them feel. That’s the power of a vibrant downtown—it turns a location into a destination.”
“Our downtowns are really the heart of our communities,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the state’s lead economic development agency. “We want to create vibrant, thriving downtowns that draw people in and make them want to return. Viroqua’s doing a great job of that.”
Hughes was in Viroqua Thursday to see what steps the city has taken to make downtown memorable.
Viroqua was one of 27 communities in Wisconsin that received $1.1 million in Vibrant Spaces Grants last month. The city received a $24,956 grant and plans to use it to transform the public library’s courtyard and establish the Viroqua Mural Walk, a self-guided walking tour that highlights eight original murals in downtown.
Each mural will have a talking box or QR code tour participants can scan to listen or hear more about the mural’s history, what it represents, and the artist.
“The goal of the Viroqua Mural Walk is to shine a spotlight on the beautiful murals located in downtown Viroqua,” said Trina Erickson, director of the McIntosh Memorial Library and public information officer for the City of Viroqua. “The walk will become a signature tourist attraction for the community year-round and be a catalyst for economic development in the city.”
The city has also focused on supporting businesses to rehabilitate or adaptively reuse buildings in downtown. WEDC has assisted with several of these projects through Community Development Investment Grants.
With financial assistance from WEDC and the city, owners of the historic Hotel Fortney revitalized the building into a 14-room boutique hotel with first-floor retail tenants. The old Viroqua Bath House, a Works Progress Association (WPA) project and local historic landmark, is being restored and adaptively reused to serve as a Viroqua Welcome Center and home for the Viroqua Chamber. And at the south end of downtown, a former auto and tire shop building is being converted into a tasting room, café, and production space for Round River Distillery.
While in Viroqua, Hughes also heard from officials with Vernon County Economic Development & Marketing about how it plans to use the $150,000 Small Business Development Grant funds from WEDC to establish the Elevate Vernon Program, which will provide technical assistance and grants for small business owners.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Bringing a vibrant space to Belleville
May 8th, 2025 by Wisconsin Economic Development CorporationVillage aims to transform unused lot into downtown courtyard and promenade
New round of WEDC Vibrant Spaces Grants will brighten 27 communities
Apr 30th, 2025 by Wisconsin Economic Development CorporationProjects include new downtown plazas, bandshells, and trailheads
Pamela Boivin unanimously elected chair of WEDC Board of Directors
Apr 23rd, 2025 by Wisconsin Economic Development CorporationBoivin succeeds Hank Newell