BENTON, Wis. -- If at first you don't succeed, try again.

That's what the Benton Community Development Corporation is doing in an effort to bring a new family into the village of 1,002.

Two years ago, the organization and village launched a campaign to give away a residential lot in the Roling Oaks subdivision. No one won because of a lack of qualified applicants. Now they've resurrected the drawing, hoping to capitalize on the anticipated job growth in nearby Dubuque -- a 25-mile drive away.

"Community members are trying to improve the village both economically and socially," said Rose Walton, who is among several helping to coordinate the effort.

This year has been kind to the village. In April, Benton School District residents approved, by a 407-291 vote, an operating issue that will allow the district to exceed the state-imposed revenue limit by $965,000 over a three-year period. Supporters said the vote allowed the district to be in the education business for at least three more academic years.

In March, the high school boys basketball

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team won the Wisconsin Division 4 State championship. It was the first team state championship of any kind in city history.

Since the mid-1990s, three subdivisions have been developed in the village, including the 24-lot Roling Oaks, which is adjacent to the Benton Industrial Park and the Benton Business Incubator building.

The village bills itself as "a friendly community (that) lies in the heart of America's dairyland, with its gently rolling hills, lazy streams, and fertile soil."

Walton said the lot giveaway plan has been resurrected because many believe Benton has much to offer -- a good work ethic, friendly neighbors and a quality school system.