What makes a community truly thrive?
It's strong businesses and a growing economy. It's families who feel connected and supported. Young people who have a sense of belonging and opportunity. And communities where health, well-being and economic opportunity reinforce one another.
The Regional Prosperity Hub brings together Thrive Economic Development and the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation around a shared vision: a region where both people and places flourish.
By combining strengths in economic development, community health and collaborative problem-solving, the Hub will work to address interconnected challenges, from housing and workforce needs to youth mental health, social connection and community vitality.
By aligning expertise, relationships and resources, the partnership will strengthen our collective ability to support thriving businesses, vibrant communities and greater opportunity for the people who live and work here.
What the Hub can help advance
A business can't grow without workers. Workers need housing. Families need strong communities and access to the resources that allow them to be healthy and successful. We often address these challenges separately, but the people and businesses we serve don't experience them separately.
Housing
Solutions for attainable and workforce housing
Workforce
Workforce participation, upskilling and attraction
Intentional Economic Growth
Business attraction, retention and expansion
Community Development
Placemaking, infrastructure and quality of life
Health and Vital Conditions
Address the conditions that help people and communities thrive
Frequently asked questions
What has been approved?
The boards of ThriveED and GWCHF have approved their partnership and formation of the Regional Prosperity Hub. Operational arrangements are being prepared for an expected January 1, 2027 implementation.
Is the Regional Prosperity Hub a new organization?
No. The Hub describes the collaborative model.
What geographic area will the Regional Prosperity Hub serve?
The Regional Prosperity Hub builds on the needs identified through the Community Health Assessment for Dodge and Jefferson Counties. While specific participation and service agreements are still being finalized, the Hub is designed to be flexible and responsive to opportunities for collaboration across county and municipal boundaries. As the partnership evolves, additional communities and counties may participate through a variety of arrangements based on shared priorities and local needs.
Will ThriveED employees become Foundation employees?
Under the approved model, staff assigned to ThriveED functions will become
Foundation employees and participate in the Foundation’s personnel, compensation and benefit systems.
Why is the Foundation interested in this partnership?
Economic opportunity is connected to many of the conditions that influence community health and family stability. Good jobs, attainable housing, workforce participation and financial stability reinforce one another.
What are the benefits?
- More staff capacity
- More competitive compensation and benefits
- Better technology, data and administrative systems
- Greater organizational stability
- More time for staff to focus on businesses, communities and strategic projects
- Greater ability to attract outside funding
- Stronger regional visibility and advocacy
- Reduced reliance on reserves to support normal operations
Is this a merger?
No. Under the approved direction of the partnership, ThriveED remains a legally separate nonprofit with its own Board of Directors, which retains authority over corporate governance, strategic direction and its annual budget. ThriveED will retain its name to leverage the awareness and reputation we have grown over the last 10 years.
Who will control ThriveED?
The ThriveED Board will retain control over ThriveED’s corporate governance,
strategic plan, annual priorities and budget. The Foundation will control its own employment policies and would serve as employer of record for Foundation employees assigned to ThriveED.
Will the Foundation replace municipal and investor funding?
No. The Foundation’s contribution is intended to fill gaps and build capacity, not replace existing support.
Why should a municipality invest?
Municipal investment helps determine the scale and scope of economic
development service available to that municipality. It also demonstrates shared ownership of the work. The Foundation is not proposing to become the sole funder of regional economic development.
Coming January 2027
This partnership brings together two organizations with different but highly complementary strengths.
The Hub is intended to provide a shared structure that supports collaboration, aligns expertise and resources and strengthens our collective ability to act.