Mayor’s Column August 22, 2026
Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun
Hello Waupun,
We’re excited to announce that the City of Waupun was accepted into the WEDC (Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation) Main Street Program for our commitment to commercial revitalization!
What does this designation mean?
• Waupun is now one of just 37 Wisconsin communities in WEDC’s Main Street Program — one of only up to three added statewide each year, so this is a competitive, merit-based selection, not automatic.
• It’s the flagship state program for downtown revitalization, administered through Main Street America’s nationwide network.
How did Waupun earn it?
• Nearly a decade of groundwork: joined WEDC’s Connect Communities program in 2016 to align the Chamber, CDA, and Business Improvement District.
• WEDC specifically cited a sustained, collaborative commitment Waupun has committed to to revitalize our historic downtown — this is recognition of work already underway, not a fresh start.
What is Discover Waupun and how is it structured
• Discover Waupun is a combined Main Street and tourism promotion organization — one entity handling both downtown revitalization and visitor promotion.
• It’s funded through the City’s Business Improvement District and room tax revenue and various fundraising activities, not general tax dollars.
• This consolidation is part of why the City is bringing tourism promotion back to Waupun and it will offer a local-voice to support the needs of our community, but we thank Destination Lake Winnebago Region for all they’ve done to promote Waupun, and I’m hopeful we can continue promoting with them moving forward.
Why do this? What are the benefits?
• Ongoing technical assistance and training from WEDC.
• Networking with other Main Street communities.
• Access to new and more diverse grant funding sources for downtown projects that weren’t previously available.
• Since 1988, Wisconsin Main Street communities have collectively created nearly 3,500 net new businesses and 17,000+ net new jobs.
• More than $3 billion in public and private investment generated, with 250+ buildings renovated per year statewide.
• This designation helps us tap into a program with a proven, decades-long track record — not an untested pilot.
• This is a signal to business owners, property owners, and outside investors that Waupun’s downtown is positioned for the next chapter.
• Ties to new sculptures and investments that have been happening around the community
Coming up on Tuesday is my monthly listening session at the community center. This month my guest will be Dan Degner from Wisconsin Family Action who will explain what the constitutional amendment regarding churches means for voters. He will respect a C-3 framework to just explain what a yes or no vote means.
As always, I’ll give a city update and answer questions. I hope to see you there, Tuesday at 1pm at the Community Center.
Finally, at Tuesday’s Council meeting we’ll be taking the next step dealing with e-scooters and bikes, as well as a possible splash pad to be built at McCune Park.
Thank you and keep calm and Waup-on!
Mayor Rohn
