Forward Janesville - TheReport - Second Quarter 2021

SECOND QUARTER 2021 • 15 2525 Milton Avenue • Janesville, WI 608.314.0084 • blackhawkbank.com MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER Local People. Financial Advice. Community Banking. We’re your bank. 854 SURVEY RESPONDENTS 75% female • 50% age 36-55 25% VISIT downtown monthly • 42% LIVE within five miles of downtown Main reason for visiting downtown: SHOPPING AND/OR DINING 85% AGREE that downtown is a better place than it was five years ago ARISENow ELEVATE Survey Highlights other issues. The survey also included questions about what other amenities survey respondents wanted to see downtown. About 800 people responded to the survey, and the ELEVATE students went through each one, collecting written comments and collating them into categories. Then, in late May, students presented their work to the ARISENow board. Kane said the program works because it has what students, educators, and businesses want: real-world relevance. Kane’s dream is to expand the program to all sectors of the business world, but especially into health care and manufacturing. Both are significant players in Rock County. For the School District of Janesville, ELEVATE is a way to fulfill its promise to make every graduate college or career ready. It’s also an expression of gratitude. “The community has given us so much,” Miles said. “We want to give something back.”