JANESVILLE — If you’re not sure of what you’re doing, it’s a gamble. If you are certain, it’s a calculated risk.

At the next Rock County Civics Academy forum, panelists will discuss why they took a calculated risk to invest. Specifically, in a Children’s Museum, a candy store and an existing building retrofitted for commercial use and housing.

Join the Civics Academy at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 in the RH Batterman Conference Center, 19 N. High Street, downtown Janesville.

Can the lessons they learned spur other developers as Janesville considers how to breathe new life into overlooked parts of town?

Panelists John Westphal, Westphal Electric and chair of the Children’s Museum fundraising campaign, Courtney Parakis, owner/developer of the Sugar Exchange and Big Radio’s Ben Thompson will explain why they are willing to take the risk and invest in Janesville. 

The forum will delve into the the hitches, the glitches and the excitement of their development efforts and what they see for the future. 

Seating is limited so come early to register for door prizes. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.

The Rock County Civics Academy is a non-partisan, good-government local watchdog group. Get informed, get involved, and make a difference.