DDI works with businesses at every stage — from site selectors evaluating the region to existing employers looking to grow. We connect companies to available sites, local resources, and the county data they need to make confident decisions. Crawford County is open for business, and DDI makes sure the right people know it.

From business coaching grants and workshops to funding connections and one-on-one mentorship, DDI supports the people building something here. We partner with the SBDC, the Driftless Maker Space, and regional training programs to make sure entrepreneurs in Crawford County have real tools, not just good intentions.

Through Wisconsin's Connect Communities program, DDI leads downtown revitalization in Prairie du Chien and serves as partner and fiscal agent for Connect Communities Gays Mills. Strong downtowns attract investment, support local businesses, and give communities an identity worth staying for.

Economic vitality depends on people choosing to live here. DDI actively works to attract income-earning households and remote workers to Crawford County — connecting prospective residents to housing pathways, community resources, and everything that makes River Country worth the move.

DDI doesn't work in isolation. We collaborate with the City of Prairie du Chien, Crawford County, area municipalities, the Prairie du Chien Tourism Council, the Chamber of Commerce, Connect Communities Gays Mills, area employers, and regional and state partners to align efforts and stretch every dollar further. In a county this size, coordination isn't a nice-to-have — it's how things get done.

Crawford County can't grow without places for people to live. DDI actively supports housing development efforts across the county — connecting stakeholders to funding opportunities, advocating for attainable housing options, and working with municipal and county partners to address gaps. We don't lead housing development alone, but we make sure it stays on the agenda and moves forward.