Agricultural land in Wisconsin is very valuable, as the soil is productive.  However, growing cities in the state indicate a need for cities and municiapalities to acquire this agricultural land in order to expand the cities.  The administrations of Janesville and Rock County created a solution for owners of these valuable properties to sell their land to the city.

The basic plan of purchasing the land fell apart when Wisconsin cut its funding for such programs.  To remain viable, the municipalities changed the plan to pay out less money and take advantage of a different set of state grants.  

This case study was nominated for ICMA's Annual Awards Program.