Press Release: 2021 Roundup: Gov. Evers Recaps 72-County Tour Across Wisconsin
State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 12/29/2021 01:04 PM CST |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 29, 2021 |
| Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov |
| 2021 Roundup: Gov. Evers Recaps 72-County Tour Across Wisconsin |
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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that he visited each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties in 2021 and provided highlights from some visits to each county. The governor has visited all 72 Wisconsin counties twice during his time in office, first visiting all 72 counties in 2019, as well as several counties in 2020 before the pandemic prevented travel for the majority of the year. “Whether it’s stopping by small businesses or schools, touring farms or manufacturers, or visiting with public health and healthcare workers, one of the most important parts of my job as governor is hearing directly from Wisconsinites about the issues they care about, and that’s why going to communities in every corner of our state is so important,” said Gov. Evers. “Having visited each of our 72 counties at least twice since becoming governor, I’ve been so grateful to everyone this past year who’s welcomed me, shared their stories, and met to talk about how we can keep supporting the good work happening all across our state.” Highlights from some of Gov. Evers’ stops in each county are available below. The below list is not exhaustive as the governor has had the pleasure of meeting with hundreds of individuals and countless businesses and organizations across Wisconsin and visited several counties on multiple occasions over the course of the last year. Adams The governor visited Adams County with Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski on June 2 to join the Wisconsin Pork Association for their annual meeting. Gov. Evers was awarded the Association’s Distinguished Public Service Award for his continued support of Wisconsin’s agricultural industry, specifically the meat processing proposals included in the governor’s 2021-23 biennial budget proposal, which included the Meat Processor Grant Program. A photo of the governor's visit is available here. Ashland Gov. Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers visited Ashland County on May 6 for National Travel and Tourism Week in Wisconsin, where they met with local business owners at Madeline Island Candles and then joined La Pointe Elementary School students to explore the Capser Trail on Madeline Island. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. On June 11, the governor visited Northland College’s Hulings Rice Food Center to learn more about their sustainable growing and processing practices. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Barron In celebration of Wisconsin’s Agricultural Tourism Week, together with DATCP Secretary Romanski and Department of Tourism Secretary-designee Anne Sayers, the governor visited Mommsen’s Harvest Hills-Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard in Barron County on Sept. 27. Gov. Evers and members of his cabinet visited with pumpkin patch owner, Andrew Mommsen, to highlight Wisconsin’s strong agricultural tourism economy, especially during the fall harvest as visitors and locals enjoy pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and apple orchards across the state. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Bayfield The governor visited Bayfield County on May 6 for National Travel and Tourism Week in Wisconsin where he visited with folks and toured Big Top Chautauqua to hear about the venue’s resilience and economic recovery efforts in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, on Nov. 18, the governor, together with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, visited Washburn to highlight the economic prosperity of the downtown area after several businesses received Gov. Evers’ Mainstreet Bounceback Grants, which provides business owners with $10,000 grants to move into vacant storefronts in communities across the state. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here.
Additionally, Gov. Evers on July 27 signed 2021 Wisconsin Act 74 to designate the Walnut Street Bridge on State Trunk Highway 29 across the Fox River in the city of Green Bay as the “Bart Starr Memorial Bridge” in recognition of Bryan Bartlett “Bart” Starr, celebrated Green Bay Packers player who helped lead the team to six divisional championships, five National Football League championships, and the first two Super Bowls. A photo of the bill signing ceremony is available here. The governor also attended the Bart Starr Memorial Bridge dedication in October.
Finally, Gov. Evers attended the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Vets Ready Employer Initiative Awards at the Brown County Job Center to recognize this year’s awardees for their outstanding support of veterans in their employment. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Buffalo Gov. Evers stopped by the School District of Mondovi to visit with the superintendent and Buffalo County Public Health as part of a series of visits to check in with local public health departments and school districts whose efforts have been critical in helping keep their communities healthy and safe throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A photo of the governor's visit is available here. Burnett Gov. Evers last week visited the St. Croix Reservation in Burnett County, where the governor, together with Chairman William Reynolds of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, ceremoniously signed a historic gaming compact amendment to allow St. Croix operated casinos and affiliate locations in Wisconsin to offer event wagering on sports and non-sports events. While there, he visited with tribal leaders and toured the St. Croix Casino, a major revenue source for the St. Croix tribe and the greater Burnett County community. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Calumet On Dec. 2, Gov. Evers visited Chilton Elementary and Middle School in Calumet County as part of a statewide tour announcing his $110 million investment in Wisconsin’s kids and schools. This investment, with funding provided to every school district in the state, delivered on the governor’s promise made when he signed the 2021-23 biennial budget to provide more than $100 million in new, additional funding to Wisconsin’s schools. The funds will help local schools meet the unique needs of their students and allow them to continue rebuilding and recovering from the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Chippewa The governor, together with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Craig Thompson, visited Chippewa County as part of Gov. Evers’ “Pothole Patrol” tour to get out and repair potholes across the state, including in Chippewa Falls. Gov. Evers, who ran on fixing Wisconsin’s roads and bridges, filled in some potholes in Chippewa Falls, discussed his investments in local roads and highways and heard from local leaders about the area’s transportation and infrastructure needs. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Clark In August, Gov. Evers visited Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee as part of his tour announcing the state’s $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program. Wisconsinites 12 and older who received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine between Aug. 20 and Sept. 19 were eligible to claim a $100 reward. During this period, more than 142,000 Wisconsinites received their first dose. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Columbia On July 21, the governor, together with Rep. Dave Considine (D-Baraboo), visited the Columbia County Fair to visit with local farmers and organizations as they prepared for the opening day of the fair. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. In November, Gov. Evers also stopped by the H.H. Bennett Studio in Wisconsin Dells, one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 11 interactive sites, to present a $1 million check to the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau as part of the governor’s $15 million investment in local tourism organizations across the state. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Crawford On Oct. 6, Gov. Evers visited Prairie du Chien to participate in the sendoff ceremony for the 229th Engineer Company of the Wisconsin Army National Guard as they commenced on their deployment. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Dane Earlier this spring, Gov. Evers was joined by Wa Chong Vang, son of General Vang Pao of the Laotian Army; Nao Shoua Xiong, President of the Wisconsin Lao Veterans Association; and State Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon), to sign Assembly Bill 154, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 31, designating May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin. A photo from the bill signing ceremony is available here. In June, Gov. Evers raised the Rainbow Pride Flag over the Wisconsin State Capitol for the third time in state history to celebrate Pride Month while signing two executive orders to support Wisconsin’s LGBTQ community. Later that same month, on June 19, the governor also raised the Juneteenth Flag over the Capitol for the second time in state history. Photos from both flag raisings, respectively, are available here and here. The governor also visited Brix Cider in Mount Horeb, Landmark Creamery in Belleville, and Salvatore’s Tomato Pies in Madison this summer to highlight how small businesses are bouncing back thanks to the We’re All In Grant Program. Photos of those visits, respectively, are available here, here, and here. Additionally, the governor also hosted a press conference, together with Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and state legislators, to announce a $25 million investment in transit services for the city of Madison and Milwaukee County. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. At the Wisconsin State Capitol in August, Gov. Evers publicly vetoed six bills passed by Republicans in the Legislature as a part of a still-ongoing national effort to add more hurdles to voting, discredit the work of poll workers and election administrators, and to try and cast doubt on the results of the 2020 presidential election. A video of the governor’s veto action is available here. This fall, the governor held a statewide “Back to School” tour, welcoming students, educators, and staff back to school and classrooms across the state, including at Granite Ridge Elementary in Cottage Grove, where the governor fielded tough questions from kids about Harry Potter and aliens, among other topics. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Dodge In August, Gov. Evers visited Gurn-Z Meadow Farm in Dodge County on a stop to announce a new round of funding through his Farm Support Program, which provided $50 million in direct payments to farmers across the state. Through the most recent round of the program, more than 20,000 farmers received direct assistance. In total, the governor has allocated more than $100 million in federal funding to support Wisconsin’s farmers and agricultural industry, and through three rounds of the program, direct support to farmers has exceeded more than $1 million in more than half of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. A photo of the governor’s visit to Dodge County is available here. Door Gov. Evers stopped in Door County in May during his statewide tour celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week. The governor met with local business owners in Fish Creek and Baileys Harbor to talk about the importance of outdoor recreation and Wisconsin’s tourism industry before stopping at Cave Point County Park in Sturgeon Bay. A photo of the governor’s visit to Cave Point County Park is available here. This month, the governor also visited Door County again to announce $60 million in Workforce Innovation Grants to 12 local organizations to meet the unique needs of Wisconsin communities, including recipients in Door County. During his visit, the governor met with stakeholders from United Way of Door County to discuss projects in the area that will provide increased childcare opportunities for working families. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Douglas On Nov. 18, Gov. Evers met with community leaders for “Superior Days,” where local leaders meet with elected officials to discuss issues facing Superior and how the state can continue supporting and contributing to the community and area’s growth and success. Following that discussion, the governor visited with several small businesses from the Superior area who were recipients of the Mainstreet Bounceback Grants program. Photos of the governor’s main street business walk are available here and here. Dunn In August, the governor visited Govin’s Farm in Dunn County as part of his above-mentioned press tour announcing $50 million in direct payments to farmers through a new round of the Wisconsin Farm Support Program. Through the most recent round of the program, more than 20,000 farmers received direct assistance. In total, the governor has allocated more than $100 million in federal funding to support Wisconsin’s farmers and agricultural industry, and through three rounds of the program, direct support to farmers has exceeded more than $1 million in more than half of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Eau Claire In May, Gov. Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers visited the Chippewa Valley Museum and The Local Store at Volume One as part of National Travel and Tourism Week. A photo of that visit is available here. The governor, together with the WEDC, that same month also celebrated the launch of a pilot program with Eau Claire County to test SpaceX’s Starlink, a satellite program to provide internet in rural areas that is anticipated to bring high-speed internet to 50 rural homes and businesses. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. This past summer, the governor visited Eau Claire to meet with “The Power of Perception,” a mentoring group for Black and biracial youth in middle school and high school in the Eau Claire Area School District that provides academic tutoring services, as well as career and college mentorship. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Additionally, at the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, Gov. Evers also announced a $2 million investment in mental and behavioral health services for underserved communities through the Wisconsin United Coalition of Mutual Assistance Association, Inc. (WUCMAA). A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. This month, Gov. Evers visited the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where the governor announced that 12 regional projects are receiving up to nearly $60 million in grants through Gov. Evers’ Workforce Innovation Grant program to find innovative, community-based solutions to address the state’s long-standing workforce challenges. Among the projects receiving funds through the governor’s Workforce Innovation Grant program included funding totaling up to $20 million for projects at UW-Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley Technical College. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Florence This month, Gov. Evers visited Florence County to thank local public health workers as a part of a series of visits to check in with local public health departments whose efforts have helped keep their communities healthy and safe throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Fond du Lac In early October, Gov. Evers, together with WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, visited several local businesses in Fond du Lac County to highlight investments made through his Mainstreet Bounceback grant program, which provides business owners with $10,000 grants to move into vacant storefronts in their communities. The governor visited Twisted Thread and Cellar District to learn about their stories and how his Main Street Bounceback grants helped support their businesses and main streets in the area. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Forest On Dec. 22, the governor visited the Forest County Potawatomi Reservation to tour the Tribe’s new community center, meet with members of the tribal council, and get a sneak peek at the new pickleball courts at the community center. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Grant Gov. Evers visited UW-Platteville in July to highlight two projects funded by the State Building Commission, chaired by the governor, including the largest solar array owned by the state, as well as the recently expanded Boebel Hall, which will serve students in biology, chemistry, and a new environmental science and conservation program. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Additionally, the governor visited Boscobel in August to meet with people impacted by the storms and tornado that caused severe damage to the area to offer support to the individuals affected, first responders, and community members as they worked to clean up and rebuild. A photo of the governor’s storm damage tour is available here. Green On June 17, the governor celebrated Dairy Month with Wisconsin DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski by visiting Decatur Dairy in Green County to show support for Wisconsin’s dairy industry and watch cheesemaking in action. Decatur Dairy was a recipient of a Dairy Processor Grant, provided through the governor’s 2019-21 biennial budget, and the governor was proud to hear how his budget investments helped support the business’s success. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Green Lake Gov. Evers joined Duck’s Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy in April to visit a 230-acre parcel of land outside the city of Berlin owned by Duck’s Unlimited to discuss the importance of protecting and maintaining public land for future generations, the success of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, and the work the organization is doing to restore the 114 acres of wetlands and 20 acres of prairie on the property. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Iowa On July 5, the governor had the privilege of visiting Iowa County to attend the inauguration of Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly at Pecatonica Elementary School in Hollandale. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. This fall, the governor also traveled to Spring Green to visit Wisconsin landmark, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, to recognize the site’s official designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Iron On June 11, the governor joined U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) and local leaders at Saxon Harbor for their grand re-opening and dedication. Funds from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program helped rebuild Saxon Harbor following devastating flooding in 2016 that wiped out the harbor and campground. The governor and other local leaders celebrated the town’s resilience and the hard work of the local community to rebuild and recover. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Jackson Gov. Evers and members of his cabinet in March visited the Ho-Chunk Nation’s COVID-19 vaccine site in Black River Falls in Jackson County. Following the tour of the site, they were joined by Ho-Chunk Nation President Marlon WhiteEagle and Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Health Executive Director Kiana Beaudin for a press conference where they discussed the site’s success in administering COVID-19 vaccines to tribal members, the local community, and the site’s role in addressing vaccine hesitancy. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. The governor also visited Jackson County in September for the ribbon cutting of the Jackson Electric Strobus Solar Project. This project is anticipated to provide energy to more than 320 households, ensuring a cleaner, more reliable energy grid. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Jefferson Gov. Evers visited Jefferson County late this summer to meet with residents in Sullivan whose homes and properties suffered damage caused by severe weather. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Juneau On Nov. 11, in celebration of Veterans Day, the governor visited the Necedah Veterans Memorial Hall in Juneau County to sign Senate Bill 345, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 91, designating State Highway 21 between Sparta and Oshkosh as a Purple Heart Memorial Highway. The governor signed the bill honoring recipients of the Purple Heart medal surrounded by local veterans and elected leaders. The Purple Heart Memorial Highway is meant to honor all recipients of the Purple Heart. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Kenosha On March 12, one year after the governor declared the first public health emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the governor visited the Kenosha County vaccination clinic and celebrated the hard work of local public health workers and their efforts to get COVID-19 vaccine shots in arms. The governor also visited Kenosha County in April to sign Assembly Bill 120, now Wisconsin Act 25, to help Pfizer, Inc. and the state of Wisconsin continue to provide COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine materials, and solutions nationwide, and then toured the Pfizer facility in Pleasant Prairie together with Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Secretary Dawn Crim. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Throughout the month of July, the governor visited Kenosha County to celebrate the grand openings and groundbreakings of numerous businesses, including Nexus Pharmaceuticals, Haribo, and Heartland Produce, highlighting the jobs and economic development these organizations will bring to the greater Kenosha community. Photos of the governor's visits are available here, here, and here, respectively. In December, Gov. Evers also visited Gateway Technical College’s Horizon Center as part of his tour announcing nearly $60 million in grants through the Workforce Innovation Grant Program for projects to address the state’s workforce needs. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Kewaunee Gov. Evers visited Kewaunee County in October for the annual observance of “Imagine a Day Without Water,” where he met with local stakeholders to discuss water quality and shoreline issues facing coastal communities. During his visit, the governor visited the home of Chuck Wagner in Luxemburg to discuss the remediation techniques he has implemented to ensure his home has clean water and the challenges the community faces with water quality. While there, the governor also presented the county with a check for $27,000 to support community well testing funded by the Department of Administration’s (DOA) Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. The governor also visited Algoma for a community walk and conversation related to the Collaborative Action for Lake Michigan - Coastal Resilience Enhancing Coastal Hazard Resilience Efforts on Wisconsin’s shoreline along Lake Michigan. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. La Crosse Earlier this year, Gov. Evers toured a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in March at UW-La Crosse’s Cleary and Friends Alumni Center. During his visit to the campus, the governor also hosted a press conference at Cowley Hall with local lawmakers and UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow in support of the governor’s budget proposal to fund Phase II of the Prairie Springs Science Center project. Photos of the governor’s visits are available here and here, respectively. Gov. Evers also visited the La Crosse County Administrative Center in April to discuss his proposed 2021-23 biennial budget’s investments in the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) Program, which provides meaningful support to justice-involved individuals struggling with substance use. The governor’s proposal would have brought TAD funding to the highest level ever with an additional $15 million over the biennium. Additionally, after residents in the La Crosse area, including on French Island, worked to respond to PFAS contamination, Gov. Evers and several local lawmakers visited French Island to announce the CLEAR Act, comprehensive legislation designed to address PFAS contamination across the state. The CLEAR Act includes several provisions to combat PFAS concerns and ensure every Wisconsinite has access to safe, clean drinking water, including creating local grant programs for PFAS testing and remediation, establishing and enforcing environmental standards for PFAS, and funding positions at the Department of Natural Resources to implement a PFAS action plan. Later this summer, the governor welcomed President Joe Biden to La Crosse for a tour of the La Crosse Municipal Transit (MTU) to highlight the bipartisan infrastructure plan. The governor and the president also enjoyed ice cream at The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor in downtown La Crosse. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Lafayette This month, Gov. Evers visited the Belmont Convention Center in Lafayette County to visit with five local grant recipients of the Live Event Small Business and Event Venue Assistance programs. These two grant programs were announced earlier this year as part of the governor’s $140 million investment to support Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries, which are an essential part of the state’s economy and long-term success. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Langlade In early December, Gov. Evers visited the Palace Twin Theatre in Langlade County to talk about his $14 million investment into supporting Wisconsin’s movie theaters, summer camps, and minor league sports teams, which play an important role in communities across Wisconsin. The Palace Twin Theatre was among the nearly fifty theater companies who received support through the governor’s Movie Theater Assistance grant program, receiving $30,000 in grant funding. More than 100 theaters, summer camps, and minor league sports teams benefitted from the grants. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Lincoln To kick off National Dairy Month in America’s Dairyland, Gov. Evers in June visited Breitenmoser Family Farms in Lincoln County. The governor visited with folks from the farm, praised Wisconsin’s dairy farmers for the significant role they’ve played throughout the state’s history—including their work during the pandemic to keep food on tables in Wisconsin and across the country—and stressed the importance of continuing to make meaningful investments to support Wisconsin’s farmers, farm families, and the state’s agricultural industry. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Manitowoc On April 29, the governor, together with WisDOT Secretary Thompson, visited the Port of Manitowoc to celebrate the completion of a crane that will not only support existing jobs but create new jobs and serve as a major source of economic development to the region. A photo of the governor’s visit is here. Gov. Evers in July again visited Manitowoc County to visit Henning’s Wisconsin Cheese, a recipient of 2021 Dairy Processor Grant funding provided through the governor’s 2019-21 biennial budget, and hear from the Henning family how they used the funding to support purchasing new packing equipment. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Additionally, earlier this fall, the governor was joined by U.S. Sen. Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels, and other coastal mayors to announce the official designation of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, making it one of only two designated national marine sanctuaries of its kind in the nation. This designation will protect 36 historically significant shipwrecks, safeguarding Wisconsin’s maritime history so that it can be studied and enjoyed for generations. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Marathon In March, Gov. Evers visited Bridge Clinic in Wausau to celebrate their COVID-19 vaccination efforts and to sign Senate Bill 3, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 9, to increase transparency in prescription drug supply chains and help control out-of-pocket costs for patients. Additionally, the governor attended the 4th Annual Hmong Wausau Festival in July, celebrating the state’s Hmong community, their contributions to our state, and their vital role in Wisconsin’s economy and history. At the Wausau City Hall in August, Gov. Evers also announced his “Less for Rx” Prescription Drug Plan to reduce the price of prescription drugs and ensure Wisconsinites have access to quality, affordable healthcare, including life-saving medications and insulin. And this fall, Gov. Evers visited Marathon County, together with local elected officials and Taiwan’s representatives to the U.S., to tour Hsu’s Ginseng Farm in Wausau. Wisconsin is the top producer of cultivated ginseng in the U.S. Photos from some of the governor’s visits are available here, here, and here. Marinette Gov. Evers visited Marinette County in February to tour the Prevea Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic with Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake and President and CEO of Prevea Health Dr. Ashok Rai on its opening day at the UW-Green Bay Marinette Campus. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Marquette In July, the governor and First Lady Kathy Evers visited Kathleen’s Flour Bin, a bakery and market in Montello, which was a grant recipient of funding through Gov. Evers’ Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery grant program. During the stop, the governor and first lady talked to the business owner to learn more about their business and discussed how the governor’s small business grant programs have helped support small businesses, main streets, and communities across the state. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Menominee The governor this past fall, together with Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Emilie Amundson, toured the Menominee Nation’s new Family and Community Engagement Center and met with tribal leaders to discuss issues facing the Tribe, including supporting kids. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here, here, and here. Milwaukee On April 13, the governor met with Running Rebels, a community organization dedicated to mentoring and serving youth in Milwaukee, and held a press conference with leaders of the organization, youth justice advocates, and lawmakers regarding the significant reforms to the juvenile justice system in the governor’s proposed 2021-23 biennial budget. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. The governor this summer also attended the re-opening of Sherman Phoenix, a critical hub and resource for local small Black-owned businesses, and celebrated this important milestone in Milwaukee’s economic recovery. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. After the Milwaukee Bucks’ historic NBA Championship win, the governor celebrated the victory with the team and the community at the Bucks’ championship parade, and he proclaimed July 22 as “Bucks in Six” Day. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. The governor also joined the Milwaukee Brewers to celebrate the legacy of Bob Uecker in Major League Baseball and recognize his 50th anniversary as the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, proclaiming Sept. 25 as “Bob Uecker Day.” A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. In August, after announcing a collaboration with the Wisconsin State Fair to hold an on-site COVID-19 vaccine clinic and offer a voucher for a free cream puff to anyone vaccinated on-site, the governor kicked off the State Fair opening ceremonies and visited the State Fair numerous times to thank those administering vaccines and getting vaccinated, meet with state agency staff as they connected with Wisconsinites, and help hand out cream puffs. In total, 608 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to attendees of the fair. A video of highlights of the governor’s visits at the fair is available here. Later in the month, the governor visited Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee to join in the festivities and celebrate the history, music, food, and cultural traditions of Milwaukee’s Latino and Hispanic communities. A photo of the governor’s visit can be found here. On Sept. 14, the governor attended the Wisconsin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards and Showcase at the Bradley Symphony Center in downtown Milwaukee where he was recognized as the 2021 Advocate of the Year. A photo of the governor’s visit can be found here. Gov. Evers visited the Dominican Center in 53206 in October to announce his new $75 million investment into two grant programs to support small businesses and economic development across the state. These two programs, the Diverse Business Assistance Grant program and the Diverse Business Investment Grant program, will provide technical assistance and services to businesses that have historically had limited access to capital and are owned by members of communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as providing grants to small and micro-businesses that are owned by members of communities that historically have had limited access to capital and those that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, respectively. Following the announcement, Gov. Evers met with community members. Photos of the governor’s visit and that meeting are available here and here. Later this fall, the governor met with the Milwaukee Diaper Mission to highlight and hear more about their work and advocacy on behalf of kids and families experiencing diaper need. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. In October, the governor visited the COA Goldin Center to learn work to provide a safe place for kids to play and learn, and he announced $45 million to help build safer communities through violence prevention and increased support for victim services, both in Milwaukee and throughout the state. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. The governor also announced a $15 million grant program to assist Destination Marketing Organizations across the state at Wheel and Sprocket in Milwaukee, including a $1 million grant to Greater Milwaukee Conventions & Visitors Bureau, and he visited with some of the grant recipients and presented them with checks. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. On Dec. 16, while on a statewide tour to announce and meet with grant recipients of the nearly $60 million of Workforce Innovation Grants, the governor visited the Ready Center with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee who plan to use their grant funding of up to $3.3 million for the Ready Center Collective (RCC), which will engage the area’s youth in career counseling, occupational skills training, and internship and apprenticeship experiences. Photos of the governor’s visit at the Ready Center are available here, here, and here. Monroe In July, Gov. Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers visited Lemonweir Elementary School in the Tomah Area School District to visit with teachers who were prepping for the summer session to begin and to talk about the governor’s more than $100 million investment in kids and schools announced at the 2021-23 biennial budget signing. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. The governor also visited Fort McCoy in Monroe County in August, where he met with military personnel, federal officials, and refugees and was briefed on the federal government’s plans to support Afghan refugees arriving at the base from Afghanistan. Oconto On Oct. 21, the governor visited with several local small business owners from Oconto to hear about how the governor’s Mainstreet Bounceback Grants helped support their businesses and local Main Street. Gov. Evers visited Oconto Flowers and The Shop on Main to see firsthand how grant funding through the governor’s program helped support their businesses, the local Oconto community, and building a strong state economy. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Oneida On June 2, the governor visited the Lake Tomahawk Meat Market as well as The Butcher’s Wife, a local coffee and ice cream shop. Additionally, later this summer, Gov. Evers visited Nicolet Technical College in Oneida County at a stop on a statewide press tour announcing he would be investing $130 million into finding innovative, community-based solutions to address the state’s long-standing workforce challenges. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Outagamie Gov. Evers, together with WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson, traveled around the state in March on a “Pothole Patrol” tour where the governor stopped in Appleton and Greenville to repair potholes and discuss his 2021-23 biennial budget’s investments in fixing Wisconsin’s roads and bridges. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Additionally, during his statewide tour celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week in May, the governor visited the Trout Museum of Art in Appleton to see its wide range of unique and innovative exhibits and hear about the museum's impact on local tourism. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. The governor also visited Hortonville, where he and Secretary Thompson participated in the groundbreaking event for the WIS-15 Highway construction project, which will make the 11-mile stretch of highway safer and more convenient for those who use it daily. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. This past fall, on Indigenous Peoples Day, the governor visited the Oneida Nation and signed Executive Order #136, issuing a formal acknowledgment and apology for Wisconsin’s historical role in the tragedies inflicted upon Native American families and communities at boarding schools in Wisconsin and across the U.S. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Later that day, the governor traveled to Appleton to attend the dedication of a white pine peace tree in honor of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people in Wisconsin. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. In November, the governor visited ACOCA Coffee in Appleton to host a roundtable discussion with nearly a dozen local business leaders, many of whom were recipients of small business grant funds from the state, to learn more about how the state can continue to support small businesses, main streets, and communities across our state. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Ozaukee In July, the governor visited Woodview Elementary School in Grafton to visit with students and educators at the Grafton Summer Learning Academy. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. While in Grafton, Gov. Evers also visited small business co-owner, April Calvert, at her shop Scrubs and Above. Pepin Gov. Evers visited Pepin County Public Health in October to thank local public health workers as a part of a series of visits to check in with local public health departments that have been leaders in helping keep their communities healthy and safe throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Pierce In May, the governor visited Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery in Pierce County to tour the facility where they make award-winning cheese curds. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Gov. Evers also visited Pierce County in September when he visited UW-River Falls, where he helped the university kick off homecoming week with interim UW System President Tommy Thompson and encouraged students to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Polk On Sept. 27, Gov. Evers kicked off Agricultural Tourism Week in Wisconsin at a press conference in Polk County with the Farm Table Foundation in Amery, celebrating the agricultural tourism and entertainment industries and their importance to Wisconsin’s rural communities and state’s economy. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Portage In his 2020 State of the State address, Gov. Evers announced a three-pronged plan to support Wisconsin’s farmers, their families, and our rural communities, which included creating a Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity to develop both long and short-term solutions to challenges facing farmers, agricultural industries, and rural areas. On Sept. 16, Gov. Evers joined the Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity at the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitors Center to discuss the Commission’s important work that’s been done to address the issues facing farmers and their families and rural communities. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. This month, Gov. Evers visited Madison Elementary School in Stevens Point to talk about the $110 million he invested into Wisconsin’s kids and schools, which he announced during the 2021-23 biennial budget signing. This month, Gov. Evers was joined by local leaders and first responders in Amherst to sign Assembly Bill 297, now Wisconsin Act 115, which will help keep roadside workers and first responders safe on the roads. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Additionally, the governor also visited Mid-State Technical College in Stevens Point in December as part of a statewide tour announcing project recipients of nearly $60 million in grant funding through Gov. Evers’ Workforce Innovation Grant Program. The program, designed to find innovative, community-based solutions to address the state’s long-standing workforce challenges, was awarded to 12 regional projects, including Mid-State Technical College, which will receive nearly $9 million to target 2,500 unemployed, underemployed, underserved communities, and youth with skill training and barrier-removing support services. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Price On Dec. 20, the governor visited Dinosaur Land Day Care in Phillips. Dinosaur Land Day Care was an early recipient of the governor’s Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program and the governor met with them to learn how these funds helped sustain their business throughout the coronavirus pandemic to continue to provide critical childcare services for local families. Photo of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Racine On June 3, as part of his celebration of Pride Month, the governor and now-Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) visited the LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin, where they met with leaders of the center and community members to hear more about the support and services provided to LGBTQ Wisconsinites. Gov. Evers in August also visited the Julian Thomas Elementary School Health Clinic to announce two new grant programs, the Neighborhood Investment Fund and the Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment grant program. The governor’s two programs will provide $250 million to invest in long-term capital projects in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to support communities across the state and build long-term, sustainable economic success. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here, respectively. Richland The governor in November visited the Richland Center Visitor Center in Richland County as part of his tour announcing $15 million in grants for several Destination Marketing Organizations around the state. This investment, which was part of the governor’s larger $140 million investment in Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries, awarded grants to 120 organizations to expand on their work to attract regional, national, and international visitors to explore all that Wisconsin has to offer. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Rock On Feb. 10, the governor announced that the Blackhawk Technical College would host the first community-based COVID-19 vaccine clinic in the state and celebrated the clinic’s ability to reach community members who might face barriers accessing the vaccine. Additionally, in June, as part of several stops throughout the month celebrating National Dairy Month, the governor visited Roger Rebout and Sons Farm where he met with the Rebout family and discussed the critical importance of the state’s agricultural industry and the issues farmers and their families are up against. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. This fall, Gov. Evers visited Beloit College with Wisconsin Public Service Commission Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq to award the Focus on Energy “Energy Efficiency Excellence Award,” recognizing the Beloit College Powerhouse as an innovative, first-of-its-kind student union that connects the dots and moves toward a more sustainable future. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. The governor attended the ribbon cutting for the completion of I-39/90 Expansion Project in November. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Rusk This month, Gov. Evers visited the Rusk County Visitors Center to meet with recipients of his Destination Marketing Organizations Grant Program. The stop was part of the governor’s tour to announce $15 million in grants for several Destination Marketing Organizations around the state as part of an overall $140 million investment into Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Sauk The governor visited the Spring Green Preserve State Natural Area in Sauk County this spring to discuss the importance of stewardship and protecting the environment in order to ensure that Wisconsin’s beautiful outdoor spaces are preserved for future generations to study and enjoy. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Additionally, later this fall, the governor gave remarks at the 62nd annual Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association Conference in Sauk County. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Sawyer On May 1, Gov. Evers attended the 55th Annual Governor’s Fishing Opener in Hayward, marking the beginning of the fishing season in Wisconsin, where he caught a Northern Pike at 21 and two-thirds inches. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. In September, the governor attended the 28th Annual Wisconsin Joint Assessment Steering Committee Partners Event with Ojibwe Tribes, hosted by the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians this year. This event is a relationship building opportunity between the Ojibwe Tribes, state and federal partners, and local fisherman guides. Following that visit, the governor stopped into the Boys and Girls Club of Lac Courte Oreilles to visit with students and staff. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Shawano On March 26, the governor visited Shawano County with Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Tyler Huebner, where he hosted a roundtable discussion with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Wolf River Region and Shawano County Health and Human Services to discuss expanding access to affordable healthcare through telemedicine and investing in reliable, high-speed broadband in Wisconsin. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Sheboygan The governor joined local leaders in Sheboygan County last April for a roundtable discussion on housing tax credits and investments in affordable housing included in the governor’s proposed 2021-23 biennial budget. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. The governor visited Sheboygan County again in June to announce more than $140 million in grants to businesses and organizations to support Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. In August, the governor traveled to Elkhart Lake to speak at the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony. The award is given to employers, who must be nominated by one of its Guard or Reserve employees, for their support of workers who serve in the National Guard and Reserve and is the highest recognition given by the U.S. federal government. This event was particularly significant as this year’s awardees made the state of Wisconsin the first state in history to receive three Freedom Awards in a single year. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here. St. Croix During a tour across northwest Wisconsin, the governor in September visited Moojo’s Coffee and Ice Cream, a family-owned business in New Richmond that works to source many of its products from across Wisconsin. The governor made the visit as part of a larger, statewide tour of stops at small, local businesses in every corner of Wisconsin. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Taylor In August, Gov. Evers visited Taylor County Public Health to thank local public health workers as a part of a series of visits to check in with local public health departments that have been leaders in keeping their communities safe and healthy. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Trempealeau Earlier this year, Gov. Evers visited a local science teacher, Mark Ziegler, from La Crosse Logan High School, to take the hike Mr. Ziegler takes with his students each year. The governor joined Mr. Zeigler to hike Perrot State Park to talk about supporting Wisconsin’s state parks system, conserving our natural resources, and the importance of outdoor recreation to our state’s economy. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Vernon In June, as part of a month-long tour celebrating National Dairy Month, the governor visited Hamburg Hills Farm in Vernon County to hear firsthand about their farm and talk about the state’s efforts to continue supporting farmers, their families, and Wisconsin’s agricultural and dairy industries. Later this summer, the governor visited Vernon County again, stopping at Peters Farm as part of his announcement of $50 million in direct support payments to farmers through a new round of his Wisconsin Farm Support Program. Through the most recent round of the governor's Farm Support Program, more than 20,000 farmers received direct assistance. In total, the governor has allocated more than $100 million in federal funding to support Wisconsin’s farmers and agricultural industry, and through three rounds of the program, direct support to farmers has exceeded more than $1 million in more than half of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here, here, and here. Vilas On April 7, the governor visited Lac du Flambeau Elementary School to talk about his proposed 2021-23 biennial budget’s investments in K-12 education to do what’s best for kids and schools. During the stop, Gov. Evers visited a 5th grade Ojibwe language classroom and was also able to watch the LDF Boyz drum circle. A video of that visit with the LDF Boyz drum circle is available here. Walworth The governor visited Lake Geneva in June to announce the state’s $140 million investment in grants for businesses and organizations in Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Washburn This month, Gov. Evers visited the Wisconsin Lumberjacks, a minor league ice hockey team in Spooner. The team was awarded more than $160,000 through the Minor League Sports Teams Grant Program, part of the governor’s larger $14 million investment in Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here, here, and here. Washington On June 13, the governor visited the grand opening of the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial in Washington County. The memorial has been years in the making and was started by the Haberman Family, who lost their daughter, Andrea, in the attack at the World Trade Center on 9/11. The memorial displays a section of a beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center and serves as a place to reflect and pay tribute to the lives lost in 9/11. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Additionally, the governor this month visited Friends, Inc., in Washington County to sign two bills into law that will offer greater transparency and accountability to the state’s testing of sexual assault kits, providing increased support for victims and survivors. A photo of the governor’s visit is here. Waukesha On July 6, the governor hosted a press conference in Waukesha County regarding a bill he signed into law, Assembly Bill 374, now Wisconsin Act 57, to bring much-needed funding to local communities across the state and support local efforts to address the opioid epidemic. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. In the last two months of the year, Gov. Evers visited Brookfield with Rep. Sara Rodriguez (D-Brookfield) to talk about the work of the state’s nonpartisan redistricting commission, the People’s Maps Commission, as part of his ongoing fight to bring nonpartisan redistricting to the state. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Additionally, the governor also attended the 2021 Wisconsin Veterans Business Awards luncheon. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. In the days after the tragedy at the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade, Gov. Evers visited Waukesha to offer his support and sympathies, meet with and thank local leaders, first responders, and community members to talk about the community’s needs, and attend the prayer vigil held at Cutler Park. On Dec. 7, the governor attended the Celebrate Waukesha Breakfast, a quarterly event in the community to talk about Waukesha’s strength and resilience and highlight their efforts to come together united in healing. Waupaca Gov. Evers in April visited students at New London High School in Waupaca County to discuss the importance of student mental health. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Later in the spring, the governor also joined Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Secretary Mary Kolar at King Cemetery to honor Memorial Day and all those who have lost their lives in service to our country. Photos of the governor’s visit are available here and here. Waushara In December, Gov. Evers visited Camp Lakotah in Waushara County as part of his tour announcing $14 million in grants for Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries. Through the Summer Camp Assistance Grant Program, 37 eligible summer camps will receive $50,000 to not only help them recover their losses caused by the pandemic but to continue providing engaging summer activities for Wisconsin’s kids. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Winnebago On Feb. 19, the governor signed Assembly Bill 4, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 3, to allow pharmacy technicians and students to administer COVID-19 vaccines under certain conditions and toured the COVID-19 vaccination clinic on the UW-Oshkosh campus. In August, the governor returned to Winnebago County to host a press conference at the Winnebago County Health Department, announcing the state’s $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program. Wisconsinites 12 and older who received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine between Aug. 20 and Sept. 19 were eligible to claim a $100 reward. During this period, more than 142,000 Wisconsinites received their first dose. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Additionally, the governor visited the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau in October to award them more than $450,000 as part of his $15 million announcement awarding grants to Destination Marketing Organizations through the state’s Destination Marketing Organization Grant Program. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. Wood On Sept. 16, Gov. Evers visited the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO conference in Wisconsin Rapids, celebrating the important work the organization does to support Wisconsin’s workers. The governor praised the determination and dedication of Wisconsin’s workforce throughout the pandemic and highlighted several ways the state has supported their well-being as they have served the people of Wisconsin. A photo of the governor’s visit is available here. |
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