There's a resurgence in rural areas in some pockets of Wisconsin.

That's according to the state director of USDA Rural Development.

Leaders in one community in Trempealeau County say that could be the case there, too.

They say a new housing development could have a major impact on the city's population and the local economy.

We're talking about Independence.

The mayor and a long-time city council member tell us a new development on the edge of town could increase the city's population by one-third.

If you head east on Highway 121 near the edge of town, you can see the foundation for what could be home to 400 people.

On about 13 acres of empty land stand the foundations for two 17-unit apartment buildings.

"If we get a lot of people wanting to live here, we'll start building three-bedroom apartments or duplexes nearby," said Doug Ferguson, who is building the development.

Doug Ferguson is constructing the buildings and says if the first two fill up and the need is there, he'll start to build more.

It may not look like much now, but city leaders say these piles of dirt and this foundation could have a big impact on the area.

"To grow, we need to keep increasing the tax base, need people in town and jobs," said Independence City Council member Max Baertlein. "We don't have a lot of employment in the city itself but we live in an area with considerable employment."

Employees at Ashley Furniture and Gold-N-Plump tell us they commute as far as 75 miles to get to work everyday.

City Council member Max Beartline says if people choose to live here, new business could follow.

"If more people come, it'll encourage more businesses to come to town," Baertlein said.

If all the potential buildings are filled, the population boom in this small city would be comparable to nearly 22,000 people moving to Eau Claire.

But can this small city handle what could be big changes?

"Being in a TIF district, it's a method of financing to help finance the development of property and infrastructure together," Baertlein said. "We'll put a street, sewer system and water connection in."

Ferguson says people in town have expressed concern over the development becoming subsidized housing.

But he says rent would range from $650 to $700 a month.

One final point: USDA Rural Development State Director Frank Frassetto attributes quality of life as the main reason for the resurgence in rural Wisconsin.