Project Fish is The STEAMery’s AI-powered economic mobility pilot. It is designed to help Brown County residents use AI tools, coaching, and structured training to build practical income-producing assets they own.

Participants may work on things like niche websites, newsletters, digital products, AI-supported services, small business landing pages, or simple online business models.

No. AI skills are part of the program, but Project Fish is not just an AI class.

The program is focused on building real outputs. Participants will work toward creating a practical digital asset, service, product, or business model that can continue creating value after the program ends.

The STEAMery exists to bring hands-on STEAM education, technology access, creativity, and workforce development to Brown County.

Project Fish extends that mission into adult economic mobility. It applies technology, entrepreneurship, digital skills, creativity, and workforce development to one of Brown County’s biggest challenges: building more stable income opportunities in a seasonal rural economy.

Brown County depends heavily on tourism, small businesses, agriculture, self-employment, and commuting. Many jobs are seasonal, part-time, or tied to visitor traffic.

Project Fish is testing whether AI tools can help residents create new year-round income pathways from their skills, knowledge, interests, and local experience.

No. Project Fish does not provide cash payments to participants.

Universal basic income programs test what happens when people receive stable cash. Project Fish tests a related but different idea: whether people can build more income stability by creating income-producing assets they own.

No. Brown County does not currently have a universal basic income program.

Project Fish is not replacing anything. It is testing the broader idea behind income stability: can tools, training, coaching, and technology access help people pursue greater financial stability without relying on ongoing cash transfers?

An income-producing asset is something a participant builds that has the potential to generate revenue over time.

Examples may include:

• A niche website

• A newsletter

• A digital guide, workbook, planner, or journal

• A simple service business

• A social media management offer

• An e-commerce concept

• A business landing page

• A portfolio or online service offer

No. The program will not promise income.

Project Fish is a pilot. The goal is to help participants build credible pathways toward income, not make unrealistic promises. Some participants may generate revenue quickly. Others may need more time. The program will track real outcomes and use the data to improve future cohorts.

The first cohort is being designed for motivated adults in Brown County who want to learn practical AI and digital skills and are willing to commit time to building something real.

The program may be especially useful for people interested in self-employment, small business, creative work, online publishing, marketing, tourism, local services, or digital products.

No. Participants do not need advanced technical skills.

They do need motivation, follow-through, curiosity, and willingness to learn. The program is being designed for people who can benefit from structure, coaching, tools, and accountability.

The first cohort may include hands-on learning in:

• Using AI tools safely and effectively

• Choosing a niche or business idea

• Creating useful digital content

• Building a simple website or landing page

• Designing with Canva and other accessible tools

• Creating newsletters, guides, planners, or workbooks

• Understanding online publishing and digital products

• Exploring affiliate, service, newsletter, or e-commerce models

• Writing marketing copy

• Creating a launch plan

• Tracking progress and results

• Using AI responsibly and realistically

Depending on the final pilot design, participants may build:

• A niche website

• A free or paid newsletter

• A digital guide, planner, journal, or workbook

• A small business landing page

• An AI-supported social media service

• A local business marketing package

• A simple e-commerce concept

• A portfolio or service offer

• A repeatable AI workflow for work or self-employment

The current model is a 10-week cohort.

The first version is expected to be small and hands-on so The STEAMery can test the model, support participants closely, measure outcomes, and improve before expanding.

The first cohort is expected to be small, likely 10 to 12 participants.

A smaller group allows for stronger coaching, better support, and more useful outcome tracking.

Applications for the first Project Fish cohort will open when we have instructors assigned and committed.

The first cohort will be intentionally limited so The STEAMery can test the model carefully before expanding.

Participants keep what they build.

That may include their website, content, business idea, newsletter, digital product, service offer, workflow, or other digital asset. The goal is for participants to leave with something they own and can continue improving.

Yes. The STEAMery has received a $25,000 donor gift to help launch the first version of Project Fish.

That funding allows the program to move from concept to pilot planning.

Brown County has talent, creativity, local knowledge, tourism, arts, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and small business energy.

The barrier is not talent. The barrier is access, structure, tools, and support.

Project Fish is designed to help local people turn knowledge and ideas into digital assets that are not limited by seasonality or foot traffic.