Press Release: 2024 Roundup: Gov. Evers Completes Annual 72-County Tour of Wisconsin
State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 11/19/2024 01:18 PM CST |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2024 |
| Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov |
| 2024 Roundup: Gov. Evers Completes Annual 72-County Tour of Wisconsin |
|
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced that last week he completed his annual visit to each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties in 2024, completing his fifth annual 72-county tour since taking office in 2019. Gov. Evers has visited all 72 Wisconsin counties in a year at least five times since becoming governor, including in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and now 2024, as well as several counties in 2020 before the pandemic prevented travel for most of the year. “One of the best—and, to me, one of the most important—parts of my job as governor is getting out to meet with and hear from Wisconsinites where they’re at—in their homes, at their small businesses, on their farms, in schools, and everywhere in between. The conversations I have with folks across our state make me a better governor, help us solve problems, and ensure our administration is delivering for Wisconsinites no matter what part of the state they live in,” said Gov. Evers. “Even as a born-and-raised Wisconsinite, I still never stop being amazed by the people of this state and the ingenuity, kindness, and compassion I see everywhere I go. There is so much good work happening in every part of Wisconsin, and I’m incredibly grateful to all the folks who’ve warmly and graciously welcomed me over this past year. While there’s a lot of work left for us in 2024, I’m already excited to see what my 2025 72-county tour will bring!” Gov. Evers began the year declaring 2024 “The Year of the Worker” at his sixth annual State of the State Address in January. Throughout the year, Gov. Evers has traveled across the state, meeting with Wisconsinites from all different industry backgrounds to hear about the good work they’re doing in their communities to attract and retain workers, the challenges they may be facing, and how the state can better support them. In February, the governor also celebrated the start of the new year by signing his new fair maps into law, fulfilling his longstanding promise to the people of Wisconsin to fight for and secure fair legislative maps for the state of Wisconsin, undoing more than a decade of Wisconsinites living under some of the most gerrymandered maps in the United States. The governor also visited K-12 schools and University of Wisconsin (UW) campuses across the state to welcome students, teachers, and faculty back to school for the 2024-25 school year and embarked on his annual statewide “Pothole Patrol” tour, fixing Wisconsin’s roads with state and local public works and transportation professionals. Additionally, the governor helped promote key wins for Wisconsin industries by taking part in events like National Tourism and Travel Week and celebrating Wisconsin’s fall agricultural tourism season and the industry’s role as a key economic driver for tourism, farm families, and communities in Wisconsin. Notably, this year, the governor also welcomed over a dozen federal partners for visits, including joining President Joe Biden to celebrate the more than $1 billion federal grant to replace the aging John A. Blatnik Bridge in Superior, Microsoft’s investment of $3.3 billion for the development of a state-of-the-art datacenter campus in Mount Pleasant, and more than $7.3 billion in funding for rural electric cooperatives through the Empowering Rural America program in Viroqua. In July, Gov. Evers also welcomed U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Milwaukee for an event highlighting passenger rail in Wisconsin, including the new addition of the Borealis Train Line. Further, the governor also joined U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm in August to announce the launch of the Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) Program to help save energy and save money on energy-efficient home upgrades, which Wisconsin is the first state in the nation to do so. A thorough-but-still-not-exhaustive list of brief highlights from some of Gov. Evers’ stops in each county is available below. Adams On February 8, Gov. Evers visited the Friendship Connection, an all-volunteer peer recovery center, in Adams. The Friendship Connection is a consumer-run, non-profit organization serving Adams and the surrounding counties for adults in recovery. It is run by the members who comprise it, offering the chance for recovery, solace, and peace of mind by supporting, encouraging, and working with others who share similar conditions. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On July 1, Gov. Evers joined local officials to tour Well #4 in Adams to see the existing pump house structure and hear how their remediation project will work to address PFAS in the well. The project is being supported by a $5.2 million grant from the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program, including $3.4 million in principal forgiveness. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Ashland On August 13, Gov. Evers and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Assistant Deputy Secretary Joel Nilsestuen visited Surface Transportation Program (STP) grant recipients in the city of Ashland. While there, the governor and assistant deputy secretary met at the Ashland Middle School for an overview of the STP project and heard how it will positively impact the residents in the area. Following this, they walked over to 11th Street W. and saw the road improvement project. To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded more than $370 million in funding for more than 200 local road and bridge improvement projects in counties across Wisconsin through two rounds of the STP. Additional information on the STP is available here. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Barron On September 13, Gov. Evers, as part of his annual back-to-school tour, visited and toured Cumberland Elementary School in Cumberland. During the tour, the governor, joined by the superintendent and principal, visited a fourth-grade classroom and answered questions from the students, then mingled with students, educators, and staff in the school cafeteria, and ended his tour by joining a second-grade classroom in the library, where the governor read “Why Not You” by Ciara and Russel Wilson and participated in a sing-along. Photos from the visit are available here and here. Bayfield On February 6, Gov. Evers, as a continuation of his statewide travel highlighting mental health, visited Washburn Elementary School in Washburn to hear about their Sources of Strength program. The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent adverse outcomes by increasing well-being, help-seeking, resiliency, healthy coping, and belonging among students. The governor also took a tour of the school and visited kids at recess, and he was joined by Washburn School District Administrator Thomas Wiatr and Washburn Elementary School Principal Ivy Meierotto. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On May 20, Gov. Evers and Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers, as part of National Travel and Tourism Week, traveled to Bayfield, where they went on a hike at Frog Bay Tribal National Park, the first Tribal national park in the United States. The park is home to a rare boreal forest ecotype, over a mile of riparian corridor, nearly 120 acres of wetlands and freshwater estuary habitat, and nearly 4,000 feet of undeveloped Lake Superior shoreline. The park is managed by the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Natural Resources Division, and the governor and secretary were joined on the hike by Red Cliff Chairwoman Nicole Boyd, Vice Chair Richard Peterson, Red Cliff Water Resources Manager Shania Nordby, and Treaty Natural Resources Administrator Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings. Photos of the hike are available here and here. Afterward, the governor and secretary finished the day at Sweet & Salty, an ice cream shop in Bayfield known for its homemade popcorn. During the visit, the governor, with help from the shop’s owner, Pete Kulenkamp, made a waffle cone and learned about their small business. Photos of the stop are available here and here. On July 15, Gov. Evers and Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld visited the Brownstone trail project in Bayfield, which has received several Coastal Management Grants over the years, to highlight the announcement of the 2024 Coastal Management Grants. The governor and secretary, joined by Advancement Director Landmark Conservancy Kristin Thompson and Bayfield County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, talked about the Whittlesey Creek project, a 2024 Coastal Management Grants recipient. Bayfield County will acquire 160 coastal forested and wetland acres near the South Shore Streams Area of Lake Superior. Protecting these 160 acres will result in additional contiguous forest habitat in an important South Shore Streams watershed near Lake Superior. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Brown On February 13, Gov. Evers, as a continuation of the governor’s travel highlighting the Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce announced in his 2024 State of the State address, visited Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay. The governor, joined by NWTC President Dr. Kristen Raney, Vice President of College Advancement Meridith Jaeger, and staff members, went on a tour of their facilities. While on the tour, the governor saw the Surgical Technician Lab, the AR/VR Skills Lab, and the ultrasound and radiology learning spaces. Photos of the visit are here and here. On May 21, Gov. Evers and Secretary Sayers continued National Travel and Tourism Week with a tour of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. During the visit, the governor and secretary experienced some of the interactive exhibits, including a replica of Vince Lombardi’s office, as well as displays of the team’s world championship trophies. The governor and secretary also had the opportunity to see the newly constructed 2025 NFL Draft Countdown Clock. Photos of the tour are available here and here. On September 30, Gov. Evers and Secretary Sayers visited Sabamba Alpaca Ranch and Bed and Breakfast in De Pere. During the visit, the governor and secretary were led by the owners, Tom and Sally Schmidt, on a tour of the farm. The governor was able to meet newborn alpacas and went on a walk with an older alpaca named Scooby Doo. To conclude the visit, the governor and secretary visited the gift shop stocked with alpaca products. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On October 25, Gov. Evers attended WisDOT’s Southbridge Interchange groundbreaking ceremony in De Pere. The governor was joined by WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman, Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach, and other local leaders to celebrate progress on the new Interstate 41 (I-41) and Southbridge Road interchange near De Pere and Brown County’s South Bridge Connector project. After decades of local leaders advocating for the construction of a bridge to be built across the Fox River in De Pere and a streamlined transportation system connecting I-41 and I-43 in Northeast Wisconsin, in 2019, the Evers Administration committed to funding and building the Southbridge interchange as part of the I-41 expansion project. In 2022, the Evers Administration announced Brown County would receive $50 million in bonding to build the South Bridge Connector as part of the 2023-25 biennial budget, which was signed by Gov. Evers in July 2023. Photos from the event are here and here. Buffalo On July 30, Gov. Evers and former WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson visited Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) grant recipients in the town of Maxville in Buffalo County. The town of Maxville received over $400,000 to make improvements along North Spring Creek Road. While there, the governor met with local leaders, visited Traun Farms, and heard how the road improvement project will benefit their farm operations. While there, Larry Traun challenged the governor to a game of pickleball on the court in his barn. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Burnett On May 3, Gov. Evers visited the Northwest Passage Gallery Exhibit in Webster. While there, he viewed nature-based photography created by young people from the Northwest Passage program, which combines traditional mental health services with art-based therapy for kids and teens. The Northwest Passage Gallery Exhibit was one of the many stops on the 2024 Governor’s Fishing Opener Destination Showcase Tour. During the visit, the governor spoke with students about their art and met with other local artists showcasing their work. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On May 3 and 4, Gov. Evers attended and participated in the 58th Annual Governor’s Fishing Opener to kick off the fishing season in Wisconsin. The governor attended the annual banquet dinner at the Zhashagiins Event Center in Siren on May 3, and joined Rikki Pardun and Barb Cary from the Wisconsin Women Fish fishing club to fish on Yellow Lake in Danbury on May 4. The governor caught a 20.5” Northern Pike. Photos of the event are available here and here. Calumet On July 9, Gov. Evers visited Brillion Public Library to highlight their summer reading program and the nearly $50 million investment for efforts to improve reading and literacy outcomes for K-12 students, an investment that the governor approved in the final 2023-25 budget. The $50 million in funding has been held up in the Republican-controlled Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) since July 2023. During the visit, the governor read the book “Why Not You” by Ciara and Russell Wilson. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Chippewa On March 18, Gov. Evers and Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Kirsten Johnson visited Marshfield Clinic Lake Hallie Center to highlight the impacts of the closure of HSHS and Prevea on the greater Chippewa Valley community. The governor also highlighted the $15 million of already-approved funds sitting stagnant in the Republican-controlled JFC, which could be utilized by hospital services meeting the area’s pressing healthcare needs, including urgent care services, OB-GYN services, inpatient psychiatry services, and mental health substance use services. Photos from the visit are available here and here. On August 14, Gov. Evers attended Farm Technology Days for the third year in a row. Hosted in Cadott this year, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is a three-day outdoor event showcasing the latest developments in production agriculture, including practical applications, recent research, and technological developments. As the largest outdoor agricultural event in the state, it welcomes more than 45,000 attendees, with more than 500 commercial and educational vendors. Photos from the event are available here and here. Clark On August 14, Gov. Evers and former WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson met with local leaders at the town of Dewhurst Town Hall for an overview of their STP project. Following this, the governor and secretary visited the county highway that is being improved and heard how it will benefit the local community. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On November 11, Gov. Evers, in recognition of Veterans Day, visited the Highground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville to highlight an $800,000 grant through the new Non-State Grant Program that was awarded to the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Inc. for the Highground Veterans Memorial Park multi-use visitor center project. The governor was joined by Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park and Museum Executive Director Chris Pettis and Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park and Museum Coordinator Theresa Hebert. While in Neillsville, the governor also stopped by to see Chatty Belle, the world’s largest talking cow. Photos of the visit are available here and here. A photo with Chatty Belle is available here. Columbia On March 12, Gov. Evers visited and toured Columbus Water Utility and participated in a discussion on the work being done at the local level to provide clean water to the residents of Columbus. Columbus received an award for having the best-tasting water in the United States at the Great American Water Taste Test put on through the National Rural Water Association, which the governor got to taste test during the visit. Gov. Evers was joined by Wisconsin Rural Water Association Executive Director Chris Groh, Columbus Utilities Lead Water Operator Jake Tanner, and Columbus Mayor Joe Hammer, as well as local community members. Photos of the tour are available here and here. On April 15, Gov. Evers attended and gave remarks at WisDOT’s kick-off event for Work Zone Awareness Week in Wyocena. Each year, WisDOT participates in National Work Zone Awareness Week, an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through work zones across the state. This year’s Work Zone Awareness Week theme was “Work zones are temporary; actions behind the wheel can last forever.” Gov. Evers also issued a proclamation for National Work Zone Awareness Week, which is available here. Photos of the event are available here and here. On May 23, Gov. Evers, joined by Tourism Secretary Sayers, visited Wisconsin Dells for a tour at Dells Boat Tours. The governor and secretary were joined by Dan and Jen Gavinski, owners of Dells Boat Tours and the Original Wisconsin Ducks, Wisconsin Dells Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Jill Diehl, as well as stakeholders and local leaders. Photos of the boat tour are available here and here. Crawford On August 12, Gov. Evers and WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen visited STP grant recipients in the village of Steuben and heard about how the road improvement project will benefit the local residents. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Dane On February 19, Gov. Evers held a bill signing ceremony in the Governor’s Conference Room in the Wisconsin State Capitol, where he signed Senate Bill (SB) 488, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 94, fulfilling his longstanding promise to the people of Wisconsin to fight for and secure fair legislative maps for the state of Wisconsin. Thanks to Gov. Evers, Wisconsinites cast their ballots this November and were no longer under some of the most gerrymandered legislative maps in America. The governor was joined by members of the Fair Maps Coalition, All Voting Is Local, Common Cause, League of Women Voters, and Conservation Voters, as well as legislators and community members. Photos from the event are available here and here. On February 29, Gov. Evers, in continuation of highlighting the Year of the Worker, visited the Wisconsin Department Workforce Department’s (DWD) mini mobile job lab at the Central Wisconsin Center in Madison, which offers weekly walk-in job interview opportunities for open CNA positions. While there, the governor, joined by DHS Assistant Deputy Secretary Sarah Valencia, DWD Deputy Secretary Pam McGillivray, and Central Wisconsin Center Director Catherine Murray, participated in a roundtable discussion with CNAs to learn about their experience in the healthcare workforce. Photos of the event are here and here. Later that day, the governor celebrated Public Schools Week with a visit to Yahara Elementary School in the DeForest School District. The governor, joined by DeForest School District Superintendent Rebecca Toetz and Yahara Elementary School Principal Roz Craney, went on a tour of the school. The governor began the tour with a visit to a Kindergarten class and saw their social and emotional learning (SEL) in action with their end-of-the-day closing circle, and afterward saw the redesigned inclusive learning spaces. The tour ended with the governor helping Principal Craney with crossing guard duty as the students departed for the day. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On March 1, Gov. Evers, in continuation of highlighting the Year of the Worker, visited the Academy of Little Vikings, a child care center in Mount Horeb, which has been a recipient of Child Care Counts Program funding since March 2020. Additionally, the Academy of Little Vikings participates in a child care teacher apprenticeship program through DWD. While there, the governor went on a tour of the child care facility, starting with a visit to see their infant classroom and the Mount Horeb School District 4K classroom. Afterward, the governor spoke with Jessica Bocklund, a teacher’s apprentice who graduated in May. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Afterward, the governor, to continue celebrating Public Schools Week, visited Mount Horeb Intermediate Center, where he went on a tour and was joined by Mount Horeb Superintendent Dr. Steve Salerno, Mount Horeb Public Relations Coordinator Aubree Hanks, and Mount Horeb Intermediate Center Principal Katie Hauge. During the visit, the governor visited a fifth-grade math class where students were being taught using their new curriculum, “Bridges.” Afterward, the group went to a third-grade math class, where students were learning about finding patterns and making predictions. To conclude the tour, the governor went to the lunchroom, where he spoke with fourth graders while they ate their lunch. Photos of the visit are here and here. On March 6, Gov. Evers was invited by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association to attend the World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison. The governor was joined by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski and Becky Sweeney, senior director at the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. During the event, the governor had the opportunity to meet the judges to learn about the judging process, taste various cheeses, and meet master cheese makers. Photos of the visit are here and here. On March 28, Gov. Evers and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm hosted a roundtable discussion in Madison to highlight the Inflation Reduction Act’s Home Efficiency Rebate HOMES Program. Afterward, the governor and secretary visited the home of Cynthia Hirsch, who highlighted the energy-saving and cost-saving measures that have been implemented in her home. While there, the group participated in a mock home energy audit, where Teresa Coffman, an energy auditor with 5 Lakes Home Energy Audits, gave an overview of the audit process and demonstrated an energy efficiency test. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On July 27, Gov. Evers celebrated the life and legacy of Vel R. Phillips with an unveiling of a sculpture commemorating Phillips on the Wisconsin State Capitol grounds, representing the first statue of a Black leader or any person of color featured on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capitol building. In July 2020, Gov. Evers sent a letter urging SCERB to install a statue of Vel Phillips, aiming to broaden the representation of leaders at the Capitol and honor the Black community’s contributions to Wisconsin history. A photo of the event is available here. On September 25, Gov. Evers, in celebration of National Clean Energy Week, visited Madison Gas and Electric’s (MGE) Tyto Solar Field in Fitchburg to highlight the governor’s investments that focus on sustainability, clean energy, and the environment as a whole. MGE’s Tyto Solar Field is a six-megawatt solar facility and is the first MGE solar field to utilize the practice of agrivoltaics or dual-use solar. The Tyto Solar field has about 70 grazing sheep from Wiscovery Grazing LLC to sustainably manage the vegetation of grass and brush in and around the site’s more than 13,000 solar panels. A photo of the event is available here. Dodge On March 12, as a continuation of Gov. Evers’ travel celebrating National Groundwater Awareness Week and highlighting $125 million in funds approved by Gov. Evers in the 2023-25 biennial budget to fight PFAS contamination statewide that are still to this day being held up by the Republican-controlled JFC, the governor visited Beaver Dam Waterworks Park. During the visit, the governor met with local elected officials, leaders, and members of the Beaver Dam Lake District to hear about the work they are doing to ensure clean water for the residents of Beaver Dam. Photos of the visit are here and here. On April 19, Gov. Evers attended and gave remarks at the Clausen Park groundbreaking ceremony in Fox Lake. The city of Fox Lake received a $315,000 Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for improvements and updates to Clausen Park. The funds from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant will be used for the purchase and installation of an ADA kayak launch, the building of a new pier, updates to the current piers, restroom improvements, park lighting upgrades, parking lot improvements, and the creation of more water access pathways. Photos from the event are here and here. On June 3, Gov. Evers visited Tri-Fecta Farms Family Market in Fox Lake, where he toured the farm, learned about the farm’s sustainability efforts, and met with the Schultz family. Keven Schultz, a 2024 Master Agriculturalist, started the farm with his wife Cheryl in 1979. Today, their three adult kids and their families run the farm operations. Gov. Evers was joined for the tour by DATCP Secretary Romanski. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Door On January 22, Gov. Evers, together with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes and former Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Emilie Amundson, joined Door Community Child Development Center for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of their new facility in Sturgeon Bay. In December 2021, Gov. Evers announced the United Way of Door County would be receiving up to $3.5 million through his Workforce Innovation Grant (WIG) program to make changes to existing child care facilities in the county. An approximately $3 million allocation was used to construct the new 18,600-square-foot center, which is licensed to care for 150 children. The building’s size allows the center enough space to contract with Head Start and area school districts to provide programming and create new revenue streams. The building was also designed with a unique community room, which can be rented out for classes and events, as well as a sensory gym space. Photos of the ribbon cutting are available here and here. On May 24, the governor wrapped up National Tourism and Travel Week in Sturgeon Bay first with a stop at the Open Door Bird Sanctuary, which includes 34 acres of pristine land with hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and an array of raptor species. During the visit, the governor met with the Open Door Bird Sanctuary’s executive director, Rob Hults, as well as Oslo, a snowy owl that calls Open Door Bird Sanctuary home. Photos from the tour are available here and here. Also, on May 24, the governor visited Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point County Park, where he was led on a hike by Whitefish Dunes State Park Supervisor Erin Brown Stender. Earlier this year, the DNR announced the approval of funding for Friends of Grants, including a $20,000 grant to the Friends of Whitefish Dunes for a trail to Cave Point County Park. The funding was provided by Gov. Evers and the Wisconsin State Building Commission (SBC), which was part of $4.2 million approved for 29 projects at DNR properties across the state. Photos from the hike are available here and here. On July 18, Gov. Evers, together with DOA Secretary Blumenfeld, visited Fish Creek to highlight the announcement of the 2024 Coastal Management Grants. A total of $1.3 million in federal funding distributed through the state’s Coastal Management Grant Program will go to support quality of life, foster economic development, and protect and create resiliency in Wisconsin’s Great Lakes coastal communities. During his visit, the governor heard from local officials about how the funds will help create recreational opportunities, expand bike and pedestrian trails, and conserve land and water. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Douglas On January 25, Gov. Evers, together with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), welcomed President Joe Biden to Wisconsin to celebrate the more than $1 billion federal grant jointly awarded to WisDOT and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to replace the aging John A. Blatnik Bridge between Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota. This funding is being awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program as part of the BIL. Photos of the events are available here and here. On February 19, in celebration of signing SB 488, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 94, enacting new fair maps into law, Gov. Evers invited stakeholders and local community members to celebrate at Thirsty Pagan Brewing in Superior. The governor was joined by Deb Emery, the owner of Thirsty Pagan Brewing, Superior City Council President Nick Ledin, and Superior City Council Vice President Lindsey Graske. Photos of the event are available here and here. On September 3, Gov. Evers, in celebration of the start of the school year, visited Superior Middle School in Superior. During the visit, the governor toured the school with School District of Superior Superintendent Dr. Amy Starzecki, Superior Middle School Principal Aaron Lieberz, and Superior Mayor Jim Paine, where they visited classrooms, talked with students, and stopped by the cafeteria. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On September 23, Gov. Evers, in celebration of National Clean Energy Week, visited the Superior Fire Station in Superior, which is home to a large solar array and utilizes electric rescue vehicles. This is all part of the city of Superior’s efforts to prioritize clean energy throughout all city services. The governor was joined by Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht and Superior Mayor Jim Paine, and during the tour, Chief Vollbrecht gave an overview of the efforts they have taken towards sustainability and clean energy at the fire station. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Dunn On March 7, Gov. Evers, as a continuation of his travel for the Year of the Worker, visited UW-Stout in Menomonie to learn about their apprenticeship programs, including their Train the Trainer program, which was initiated last fall. The program focuses on teaching workers in any industry to create and improve employee training programs. The program is also tied to a new Workforce Development Specialist Registered Apprenticeship program, which works by pairing apprentices with local employers for on-the-job learning while they also take classes by the book via UW-Stout. During the visit, the governor was joined by UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank and Provost Glendali Rodriguez, as well as other university faculty and staff. Photos of the visit are here and here. On April 29, Gov. Evers, as part of his annual statewide Pothole Patrol tour that included 11 stops across Wisconsin to fill potholes and highlight the Evers Administration’s efforts to repair and improve infrastructure across the state, visited Menomonie to repair potholes along Dairyland Rd. near the intersection of 21st St. E. The governor was joined by WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen and other members of WisDOT, Menomonie Mayor Randy Knaack, Dunn County Manager Kristin Korpela, State Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick), and city and county officials. Photos from the event are here and here. On July 24, Gov. Evers, together with former WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson, visited ARIP grant recipients in the town of Elk Mound, which received over $400,000 to make improvements along 970th Street. While there, the governor visited Meyer Brothers Grain, saw the grain manufacturing process, and met with local leaders for an overview of the local road improvement project. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Eau Claire On January 18, continuing his visits to child care centers across the state to highlight the Child Care Counts Program, Gov. Evers visited 123 Look at Me Community Learning Center in Eau Claire. The governor was led on a tour by the center’s owner, Jan Govin, where she showed the facility and talked about her needs as a child care provider. While there, they spoke about the importance of the Child Care Counts Program and investing in the child care industry. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On February 13, Gov. Evers visited the Trinity Equestrian Center in Eau Claire, which provides equine therapy for veterans. Trinity Equestrian Center received a $50,000 Veteran Mental Health Community-Based Organization Grant, which was used to expand its Veteran Wellness Program by covering the direct costs of providing additional weekly equine therapy sessions. Trinity’s services are all at no cost to the veteran. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On March 18, Gov. Evers and DHS Secretary Johnson visited Marshfield Medical Center-Eau Claire (MMC-EC) to highlight the impacts of the closure of HSHS/Prevea locations to the greater Chippewa Valley community. During the visit, the governor highlighted the $15 million dollars that is still to this day sitting in the Republican-controlled JFC and underscored the importance for these critical funds to be released immediately, as the funds could be used to fund any hospital services meeting the area’s pressing healthcare needs, including urgent care services, OB-GYN services, inpatient psychiatry services, and mental health and substance use services. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On July 1, Gov. Evers joined city officials and toured the city of Eau Claire’s Water Treatment Plant to learn more about their PFAS removal facility, which broke ground in August. The city is receiving a $26 million loan from the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to support the project, including $3.5 million in principal forgiveness. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On August 6, Gov. Evers and former WisDOT Secretary Thompson visited STP grant recipients in Fall Creek, where they made the announcement of $177 million in additional STP funding for 76 projects within 16 urban areas across Wisconsin. While there, the governor received an overview of the STP project and learned how the road improvement will benefit the local residents and businesses. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Florence On August 16, Gov. Evers visited and went on a hike at Spread Eagle Barrens, a State Natural Area in Florence County. Spread Eagle Barrens was established to protect the Pine Barrens community and associated flora and fauna that require large expanses of open vegetation. Spread Eagle Barrens is owned by the DNR and We Energies and was designated a State Natural Area in 1995. The governor was joined by DNR Forester Tyler Wood, DNR North Central Field Ecologist Carly Lapin, as well as Diane Brusoe from the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Forestry Division Administrator Heather Berklund. Photos from the visit are here and here. Fond du Lac On April 30, Gov. Evers, as part of his annual statewide Pothole Patrol tour, filled potholes in Fond du Lac on Rienzi Rd. just west of U.S. 151. The governor was joined by former WisDOT Secretary Thompson, regional WisDOT staff, Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman, and other local officials. Photos from the event are here and here. On May 15, Gov. Evers visited Oakfield Middle/High School to celebrate the wrap-up of the school year. During the visit, the governor was able to see the completed remodel of the Middle/High School, which was made possible through a $16 million building referendum that passed in 2022. Photos of the visit are here and here. On June 3, Gov. Evers, during Mental Health Awareness Month, attended the 2nd Annual Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund Mental Health Challenge awards ceremony, where they recognized the pivotal role the Evers Administration has played in combatting the mental health crisis by declaring 2023 the Year of Mental Health to bring further attention to the issue. During the visit, the governor learned about the Fond du Lac community’s commitment to mental wellness. Photos of the event are here and here. Forest On October 11, Gov. Evers visited the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation to highlight funding awarded to the Tribe through DOA’s Flexible Facilities Program (FFP). Gov. Evers, together with DOA, announced over $115 million in grants to local and Tribal communities through DOA’s FFP. The Tribe was awarded $4.25 million through the FFP to construct a new multi-purpose community center, which will benefit over 28,700 individuals, including those who have historically faced disadvantages in accessing critical services, such as Tribal members, low-income households, and elderly individuals. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Grant On January 29, Gov. Evers continued statewide travel highlighting the Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce announced in his 2024 State of the State address, visiting Southwest Technical College in Fennimore. While there, the governor toured the Health Science Center, which houses human patient simulation labs and skill labs utilized by the students in the health science majors. Photos from the visit are available here and here. On April 18, Gov. Evers attended and gave remarks at the grand opening of the new Family Advocates shelter for victims of abuse in Platteville. This new building was funded through a $3.5 million Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF) grant. Family Advocates operates in Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette counties and works to provide prevention and intervention services to victims and survivors of domestic, sexual, child, and elder abuse. Photos of the visit are here and here. On September 19, Gov. Evers visited UW-Platteville while on his annual back-to-school tour. Gov. Evers was greeted by Chancellor Tammy Evetovich, Chief of Staff Bridget Wallace, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Provost Laura Reynolds, and Acting Dean of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science Dr. Philip Parker. The governor was then led on a tour of Sesquicentennial Hall by Chancellor Evetovich, first viewing research labs with students, then they met with the world-champion robotics team and saw the robots in action. Afterward, they continued the tour, seeing the Plexus Women in STEM Center and the Huff Family Innovation Center, and spoke with students about their mechanical engineering senior design projects. The governor then participated in an ice cream social with students, faculty, and staff on the green roof. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Green On May 9, Gov. Evers attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Green County YMCA’s expansion in Monroe, which was funded with the help of a $3.7 million grant through the WIG program created by Gov. Evers. The grant funds will be used to facilitate the addition of a 5,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art daycare and preschool wing for licensed programs and classes, as well as an addition of a 6,000 sq. ft. youth development wing. Through a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Vitality Youth Services, Jacob’s Swag, Avenue’s Counseling, and the Multicultural Outreach program, this investment will help the Green County Family YMCA meet the diverse needs of area youth. A photo of the event is available here. Green Lake On May 15, Gov. Evers attended the 2024 Governor’s Service Awards in Green Lake. The Governor’s Service Awards honor outstanding national service members, volunteers, and programs that have helped to address serious social needs in their communities. Those honored by these awards will have made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service efforts, with their generosity impacting the lives of countless Wisconsinites. Photos from the event are here and here. Iowa On April 24, Gov. Evers, in celebration of Earth Week, joined conservation stakeholders for a hike at Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville to discuss his administration’s continued commitment and efforts to protect and conserve Wisconsin’s natural resources and hear about stakeholders’ work toward this important goal. The governor and the group hiked the Stephen’s Falls trail and part of the Lost Canyon Trail, and the group included members of Wisconsin Trout Unlimited, the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition, Midwest Environmental Advocates, the Humane Society of the United States, Groundswell Conservancy, Wisconsin’s Green Fire, Clean Wisconsin, Ducks Unlimited, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts, the Prairie Enthusiasts Land Trust, the Nature Conservancy, Audubon Great Lakes, the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, and the Friends of Governor Dodge State Park. Photos of the hike are available here and here. Iron On September 16, Gov. Evers wrapped up his statewide back-to-school tour by visiting the Hurley School District in Hurley. During the visit, the governor, joined by Hurley School District Superintendent Kevin Genisot and Hurley School District School Board President Leslie Kolesar, visited a third-grade class, fourth-grade Wisconsin history class, and high school science and English classes. Gov. Evers then visited the Northwoods Manufacturing arts class and toured the Northwoods Manufacturing room to learn about new classroom upgrades made possible by a Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Education Grant. The Hurley School District received a $20,000 grant that was matched by the Hurley Education Foundation to upgrade the machinery in the Northwoods Manufacturing room. Photos from this visit are available here and here. Jackson On November 14, Gov. Evers visited Lincoln Elementary in the School District of Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan in Merrillan. During the visit, joined by Lincoln Elementary Principal Paula Parker and Superintendent Drew Samingson, the governor went on a tour of the school, starting with a visit to the library where the governor read “Say Something!” by Peter H. Reynolds. Afterward, the governor answered questions from a third-grade class and ended the tour with a visit to the kindergarten classrooms. The governor also highlighted the two referendum questions that passed on November 5, 2024, which address operational, community, and facility needs. Of the two referendums passed, one of them authorized $2.9 million, which will go towards renovating and adding onto Lincoln Elementary School to support a child care center with the capacity to host 96 children. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Jefferson On May 14, Gov. Evers visited Sullivan Elementary School in Sullivan to celebrate the end of the school year. Sullivan Elementary School was named a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School. During the visit, joined by Sullivan Elementary School Principal Nikki Krause and School District of Jefferson Superintendent Dr. Charles Urness, the governor was led on a tour of the school, where he visited the kindergarten physical education class and the fourth-grade music class. In each classroom, the governor met with the students, heard their current lesson, and answered questions from the students. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On June 14, in celebration of Dairy Month, Gov. Evers, joined by First Lady Kathy Evers, started their day with a tour of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo. A member of the Wisconsin City/County Management Association (WCMA), Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese makes award-winning cheese using milk from their own Holstein cows and has received several awards for their mozzarella, mascarpone, cheese curds, and Oaxaca, including several awards from the World Champion Cheese Contest. The governor and first lady were joined for the tour by WMCA Executive Director Umhoefer and Senior Director Rebekah Sweeney. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On August 12, Gov. Evers and WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen visited STP grant recipients in the city of Lake Mills. While there, the governor and assistant deputy secretary met with local leaders and heard about the local road improvement project. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Juneau On January 16, Gov. Evers attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Gundersen St. Joseph’s Elroy Clinic in Elroy. Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics received more than $4 million through the Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Grant Program to expand its healthcare services and build a new facility in Elroy. Additionally, more than $2.1 million was awarded to the city of Elroy to make critical infrastructure improvements, such as street and utility work, to the downtown area to support the construction of the new clinic. Through the awarded grant funding, this new facility will provide pharmacy services, chiropractic services, and behavioral healthcare, as well as regular exams and procedures with nine new exam rooms, a lab, and a procedure room. Photos of the ribbon cutting are available here and here. Kenosha On February 21, Gov. Evers, in celebration of signing SB 488, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 94, enacting new fair maps into law, hosted a press conference at the Union Park Tavern in Kenosha. The Kenosha area legislative districts changed substantially under the governor’s new maps. The governor was joined by local elected officials, community members, and stakeholders to celebrate the new maps. Photos of the event are available here and here. On February 27, Gov. Evers attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Innovation Center, a 64,000-square-foot building located on the site of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN). The Innovation Center will house KIN offices and programs in support of business startups, as well as leasable tenant space and event and meeting space open for community use. This $23.5 million project is supported by a $15 million NIF grant through DOA. Photos of the event are available here and here. On August 15, Gov. Evers joined DOA Secretary Blumenfeld and DOA’s Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE) Director Maria Redmond for a visit to Gateway Technical College’s Center for Sustainable Living to highlight the release of the 2024 Clean Energy Plan Progress Report. In accordance with Gov. Evers’ Executive Order #38, which created the OSCE, the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan was released in 2022, providing a roadmap for the state to lower energy bills and prices at the pump for Wisconsin families, promote energy independence by reducing reliance on out-of-state energy sources, create an estimated more than 40,000 jobs by 2030, and invest in job training and apprenticeship programs in innovative industries and technologies. The progress report showcases Wisconsin’s progress towards minimizing greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of clean energy sources while working to create thousands of new jobs and lowering energy bills and prices for working families across Wisconsin. Photos of the event are available here and here. On September 10, the governor continued his back-to-school tour with a visit to Curtis Strange Elementary School in the Kenosha Unified School District. While there, the governor was joined by Curtis Strange Elementary School Principal Jonathan Bar-Din, Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, and State Rep. Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha) for a tour of the school. The governor started off his tour with a visit to a kindergarten classroom, where he read “Why Not You?” by Ciara and Russell Wilson, then went on to visit a 1st-grade music class where they sang, “I Am Unique,” and finished his visit with a stop in a fourth and fifth-grade classroom, where students asked the governor questions. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Kewaunee On September 10, Gov. Evers, while on his annual statewide K-12 back-to-school tour, visited Algoma Elementary School in the Algoma School District. During the visit, the governor, joined by Algoma School District Superintendent Jesse Brinkmann, Algoma Elementary School Principal Katie Servi, State Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay), and school board members, toured the school and visited kindergarten and 6th-grade classrooms, as well as talked with students while handing out milk during lunch. Photos of the visit are available here and here. La Crosse On May 21, Gov. Evers and Tourism Secretary Sayers joined former WisDOT Secretary Thompson, Amtrak, and federal, state, and local leaders in La Crosse for a press conference celebrating the launch of Wisconsin’s first new passenger rail train in over 20 years. The new Borealis train service doubles passenger rail options along a corridor that connects many businesses, universities, tourist attractions, and communities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. Following the press conference, the governor rode the train to Tomah, one of the eight stops the Amtrak Borealis train will make at Wisconsin train stations along the route. Photos from the event are available here and here. On September 16, Gov. Evers kicked off his back-to-school tour of UW campuses, starting with a visit to UW-La Crosse, where he was joined by UW-La Crosse Chancellor James Beeby, State Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska), State Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse), and campus leaders. The governor started the tour at the Student Union, where he met with members of the UW-La Crosse Student Association and encouraged them to get involved in the upcoming budget process to support additional funding for UW campuses and UW-La Crosse’s Prairie Springs Science Building. Then, the governor had the opportunity to visit Wittich Hall to see the modernizations and upgrades made to the once-aging building to better serve students, and he concluded his tour with a visit to Morris Hall, where the governor spoke with education students, including a literacy components class and an early education class. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On September 23, Gov. Evers, in celebration of National Clean Energy Week, visited Summit Environmental School in La Crosse, whose mission is to integrate an environmental focus throughout the core academic areas of learning. Summit Environmental School emphasizes hands-on learning to provide students with the opportunity for discovery and authentic learning and utilizes outdoor environmental zones to give students first-hand experiences in natural environments. The governor, joined by Summit Environmental School Principal Oscar Uribe, and School District of La Crosse Superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel, toured the school. They started the tour by visiting with students reading outside and utilizing their outdoor classroom space. After this, they met with first-grade students as they were eating lunch outside and they concluded the tour with a visit to Nick O’keefe’s fifth-grade physical education class, where the governor joined the class in canoeing across the pond. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Lafayette On February 7, Gov. Evers, together with DHS Secretary Johnson, visited Darlington Elementary and Middle School in Darlington to highlight student mental health and learn about the school’s newly started Sources of Strength program. The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent adverse outcomes by increasing well-being, help-seeking, resiliency, healthy coping, and belonging among students. Sources of Strength moves beyond a singular focus on risk factors by utilizing an upstream approach for youth suicide prevention. This upstream model strengthens multiple sources of support, or protective factors, for young people so that when times get hard, they have strengths to rely on. While there, the governor also toured the school and visited classrooms to talk to students. Photos from the visit are available here and here. Langlade On October 24, Gov. Evers visited the Raptor Education Group Inc. (REGI) in Antigo, which is a 501 (c)(3) Wildlife Rehabilitation, Education, and Research facility. Founded in 1990 by Marge Gibson and her late husband, Don, according to their website, REGI was initially focused on educational programming and field research on avian species but quickly grew to address the need for a rehabilitation center in the area, especially for raptors and swans. Today, REGI takes in anywhere from 800 to over 1,000 patients each year and provides educational programs to hundreds of people. During the visit, the governor, joined by Marge Gibson and Director of Education Samantha Brooks, toured the clinic where the governor met Tony the Bald Eagle, then went on to see several outdoor complexes, including those of endangered species. Photos of the visit are here and here. Lincoln On June 5, as part of the annual “Cabinet on the Road” tour, Gov. Evers, DATCP Secretary Romanski, Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Secretary Cheryll Olson-Collins, Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) Secretary David Casey, former WisDOT Secretary Thompson, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Secretary James Bond, and DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek began the day with a tour of the Harley-Davidson Motor Co. plant in Tomahawk, highlighting 2024 as the Year of the Worker and efforts to promote local workforce development and build a strong 21st-century economy in Wisconsin. While there, Gov. Evers and members of his cabinet learned about the plant’s cutting-edge manufacturing practices and their past efforts to expand their footprint in Tomahawk and maintain family-supporting jobs in the local community. Photos of the tour are here and here. Afterward, Gov. Evers and members of his cabinet visited The Knot Haus Gift Gallery and Big Bear Mini Golf and Ice Cream in Tomahawk, both of which received $10,000 grants through the successful Main Street Bounceback Grant Program. Created by Gov. Evers using the state’s allocation of federal relief funds, the Main Street Bounceback Grant Program helped more than 9,000 small businesses expand or move into storefronts in all 72 counties across the state, including in Lincoln County, where Gov. Evers has distributed a total of nearly $400,000 in grants to nearly 40 businesses. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On July 25, Gov. Evers and WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen visited ARIP grant recipients in Tripoli. Lincoln County received over $3.5 million through ARIP to improve local roads and infrastructure along County Highway YY. While there, the governor met with local leaders, visited the Packaging Corporation of America Tomahawk Containerboard Mill, and heard how the grant will be beneficial to the business and the local community. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On September 13, Gov. Evers started his day visiting the Tomahawk School District in Tomahawk. On the tour, joined by Tomahawk School District Superintendent Wendell Quesinberry, the governor engaged with students, educators, and staff while visiting kindergarten, first-grade, middle, and high school classrooms. The governor and superintendent started the tour by visiting elementary school classrooms, where they were joined by Tomahawk Elementary School Principal Sheri Woodall and made a stop at the SMART Lab, where students had the chance to show the governor their projects. Afterward, the governor and superintendent, joined by Tomahawk High School Principal Ryan Huseby, went on a tour of the career and technical education shops before heading to the innovation lab in the high school. To conclude the tour, the governor and superintendent, joined by Tomahawk Middle School Principal Stacy Bolder, visited a seventh-grade classroom where they talked about clean energy in Wisconsin and ended at a sixth-grade math class. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Manitowoc On June 26, Gov. Evers visited Pine River Pre-Pack Inc. in Newton, where he was joined by DATCP Secretary Romanski and Rebekah Sweeney from WCMA. During the visit, they went on a tour of the facility, where they saw the warehouses and production rooms and the process of mixing and filling the cheese spreads. Additionally, in January, DATCP announced Pine River Pre-Pack Inc. received a grant through the state’s Dairy Processor Grant Program, a program the governor has been proud to support through his budgets, including increasing support for the program in his 2023-25 biennial budget by $300,000 in each year of the biennium. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On July 17, Gov. Evers and DOA Secretary Blumenfeld visited Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo to highlight the announcement of the 2024 Coastal Management Grants. The city of Manitowoc was awarded a grant to restore a site adjacent to the Little Manitowoc River to create a habitat for coastal and wetland birds. The project will focus on the revitalization and restoration of the site to a coastal wetland habitat. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Marathon On April 4, to celebrate Hmong Heritage Month, Gov. Evers signed new, bipartisan legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 232, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 266, at G.D. Jones Elementary School in Wausau, which has a 29 percent Asian student population, many of whom are Hmong American. Act 266 requires schools to include education on the contributions and history of Hmong Americans and Asian Americans in Wisconsin. During the bill signing ceremony, Gov. Evers met with students and teachers to highlight the importance of Hmong American and Asian American education. The governor was joined by the bill authors, former Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenburg, and community members. Photos of the bill signing are available here and here. On August 14, Gov. Evers and former WisDOT Secretary Thompson visited STP grant recipients in Schofield. While there, the governor and secretary met with local leaders at the Weston Elementary School for an overview of the STP projects in Marathon County and visited the intersection of the STP road improvement project. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On October 1, Gov. Evers visited Stoney Acres Pizza Farm in Athens. While there, the governor met with owner Tony Schultz and took a tour of the property, highlighting their Certified Organic operation, as well as the seasonal vegetables they use for their farm pizza nights. Afterward, the governor and Tony made a wood-fired pizza with ingredients from the farm and were able to enjoy it in the farm’s beer hall. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On November 6, Gov. Evers visited John Muir Middle School in Wausau and took a tour of the school with Principal Angela Rodgers. During the visit, the governor visited an eighth-grade social studies class where he participated in a conclusion of their election game, then met with the student-led morning announcements crew and recorded the morning announcements, concluding the visit by engaging with seventh graders during their lunch and recess period. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Marinette On March 11, Gov. Evers visited and toured the Marinette Water Utility in Marinette. Since 2017, the city of Marinette has been taking measures to remediate PFAS in its drinking water. During the tour, the governor and local leaders discussed the measures they are taking to ensure clean drinking water for their residents and how the additional dollars for PFAS remediation could be used by their community. The governor was joined by Marinette Mayor Steve Genisot, Marinette Water and Wastewater Utilities Chairperson and City Council Member Ken Keller, City Council Member Rick Polzin, and Marinette Water and Wastewater Utilities Operations Manager Warren Howard. Photos of the tour are available here and here. On June 13, Gov. Evers attended the dedication of the Menekaunee Harbor to the Menominee Nation. This effort was spearheaded by Marinette Mayor Genisot to dedicate the harbor to the Menominee Nation. The Menominee creation story begins at the mouth of the Menominee River when the Maec-Awaehsaeh (The Great Bear) became the first Menominee. Photos of the event are here and here. On July 31, Gov. Evers and Assistant Deputy SecretaryNilsestuen visited ARIP grant recipients in the town of Pound, which received over $2.3 million to make improvements along North 9th Rd. While there, the governor met with local leaders, toured the road, and heard how the ARIP grant will benefit the local farmers. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Marquette On September 6, the governor visited Montello School District, where he was joined by Montello School District Administrator Elizabeth Calnin, seventh through 12th grade Principal Yedda Olson, and other school officials. During the visit, the governor went on a tour of the school, first with a visit to a sixth-grade math class, then a kindergarten math class where the students highlighted the new math skills they have learned since the start of the school year, and ended the tour with a visit to the 11th-grade American government class, where students asked the governor questions. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Menominee On October 24, Gov. Evers visited the Menomini yoU Wāqsecewan Language Campus in Keshena to tour the new facility and highlight grants awarded through the Non-State Grant Program. The governor was joined by local leaders and Tribal officials. This visit comes as, earlier this year, Menomini yoU was awarded $850,000 for the Wāqsecewan Language Campus as a part of the $50 million approved by the SBC for 50 projects in communities across Wisconsin funded through the new Non-State Grant Program. Photos from the event are here and here. Milwaukee On January 16, Gov. Evers was invited by Kinship Community Food Center to tour their facility. Kinship is dedicated to engaging volunteers and neighborhood residents to end hunger, isolation, and poverty. During the visit, the governor spoke with Kinship staff, Kinship Executive Director Vincent Noth and Kinship Advancement Director Jennifer Mehr, volunteers, and shoppers about the importance of food security and heard about their community resources available as well as offered a cooking demonstration utilizing their produce of the week. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On January 26, Gov. Evers and DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek joined U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for a tour and roundtable discussion at the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership (WRTP) | Big Step in Milwaukee. During the roundtable, the governor highlighted his investments in Wisconsin workforce development and emphasized his commitment to addressing Wisconsin’s workforce challenges. Additionally, during the visit, Secretary Yellen announced a $1.5 million investment through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to expand the programs and facilities at the Milwaukee Regional Training Partnership. The governor was also joined by Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, union members, local officials, and community members. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On April 9, Gov. Evers signed the “Prince Act”—SB 981, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 272—which aims to address gaps in the Wisconsin AMBER Alert System by expanding criteria for issuing alerts for missing children. Gov. Evers enacted Act 272 at Hawley Environmental School in Milwaukee, which was the former elementary school of Prince McCree, whose tragic disappearance inspired his neighbor, State Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee), to champion and pass SB 981 to enhance Wisconsin’s AMBER Alert System. The governor was joined for the signing ceremony by members of Prince’s family, bill co-author State Sen. Johnson, school and district officials, students, and community members, among others. Photos of the ceremony are available here and here. On May 14, Gov. Evers joined representatives from the NFL, Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy, Tourism Secretary Sayers, and other local elected officials and leaders in Milwaukee at the Lake Express Ferry Terminal to celebrate the official hand-off of the NFL draft football from Michigan. The 2025 NFL Draft will be hosted in Green Bay in 2025. Photos of the event are available here and here. On July 10, Gov. Evers, to conclude his statewide travel highlighting the one-year anniversary of signing the 2023-25 biennial budget and the millions of dollars being withheld by Republican members on the JFC, Gov. Evers visited Wauwatosa Public Library in Wauwatosa. While at the library, the governor read “Gust” by Katie Meyer and met with library staff about programming to support kids’ reading and literacy development year-round. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On July 22, Gov. Evers, together with U.S. Sen. Baldwin, visited Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), a member of the Wisconsin BioHealth Tech Hub Consortium, to celebrate Wisconsin’s official designation as a U.S. Regional Tech Hub in Milwaukee. During the visit, Gov. Evers and Sen. Baldwin, joined by MATC President Anthony Cruz and other consortium members, went on a tour of MATC and hosted a press conference highlighting the benefits this designation will bring to Wisconsin’s economy and workforce. This visit came as, in July, the governor and senator announced that Wisconsin has officially been selected as a U.S. Regional Tech Hub by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, unlocking $49 million to grow the state’s personalized medicine and BioHealth sector, including advancing research and innovation, growing the state’s economy and creating jobs, and boosting American competitiveness in a cutting-edge industry. Photos are available here and here. On August 2, Gov. Evers joined U.S. DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) Chairperson Summer Strand in Milwaukee to announce the launch of the HOMES Program. Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to launch the HOMES Program to deliver rebates to households undertaking whole-home, energy-saving improvements under the new program. While there, they visited a local family who has taken advantage of similar programs to assist in their home efficiency upgrade efforts. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Monroe On May 7, Gov. Evers, as part of his annual statewide Pothole Patrol tour, Gov. Evers filled potholes in Tomah on Dawnee St. He was joined by WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman, Mayor Paul Dwyer, WisDOT regional staff, and other local leaders. Photos from the event are here and here. On July 24, Gov. Evers, together with former WisDOT Secretary Thompson, announced nearly $50 million through the first round of the new ARIP while visiting the town of Greenfield, which received over $1.45 million to improve local roads and infrastructure along Edgewater Road and Fireworks Avenue. While there, the governor heard from local leaders and farmers about the importance of the road improvement and toured the 1.5-mile stretch of the road that will be improved using the ARIP grant. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On October 1, the governor visited Footjoy Farm and Brewery in Cashton, where he was joined by State Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) and State Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) and greeted by owner Chad Forsberg and staff. The governor was led on a tour of the brewery. Afterward, the governor and Chad made and enjoyed a brie, apple, bacon, and mushroom pizza in the restaurant kitchen with ingredients sourced from the farm and local area. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Oconto On May 13, Gov. Evers continued his statewide “Pothole Patrol” tour in Gillett, where he fixed potholes on County Road BB between N. Lake Ave. and Richmond St. He was joined by WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen, Mayor Jon Blaskowski, WisDOT regional staff, and other local officials. Photos from the event are here and here. Oneida On March 4, Gov. Evers and former DCF Secretary Amundson visited Crescent Elementary School in Rhinelander to highlight the signing of AB 1023, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 101, which expands the current child and dependent care tax credit from 50 percent to 100 percent of the federal credit, helping reduce the tax burden for families struggling to afford the high cost of child care and care for adult dependents. Photos of the visit is available here and here. On May 22, Gov. Evers went on a hike at the Pelican River Forest, where he was joined by leadership from The Conservation Fund, Gathering Waters, Oneida County Clean Water Action, Pelican River volunteers, folks from the DNR, members of a local ATV group, leadership and representatives of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians, as well as many other local and Tribal leaders and conservation stakeholders. During his 2024 State of the State address, Gov. Evers announced the approval of an additional conservation easement covering 54,898 acres of the Pelican River Forest to complete one of the largest conservation projects in Wisconsin history. In total, over 67,000 acres of the Pelican River Forest will be protected, ensuring the forest will remain open to the public in perpetuity for outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, hunting, skiing, trapping, and hiking. Conserving the Pelican River Forest also makes significant progress towards Gov. Evers’ Trillion Trees Pledge to conserve 125,000 acres of forest by the end of 2030, in addition to planting 75 million trees. In celebration of Earth Day this year, Gov. Evers announced that the state is increasing its Trillion Trees Pledge planting goal from planting 75 million trees by the end of 2030 to planting 100 million trees by the end of 2030. Photos from the hike are available here and here. On June 5, Gov. Evers and members of his cabinet, as part of their “Cabinet on the Road” tour, convened in Rhinelander for a full cabinet meeting at Nicolet College. Following this, they visited the Lake Tomahawk Meat Market in Lake Tomahawk and finally finished the day with Main Street Bounceback small business stops and had dinner at a local area Minocqua restaurant. Photos of the visits are available here and here. On August 6, Gov. Evers and former WisDOT Secretary Thompson visited STP grant recipients at Pelican Fire and Rescue in Rhinelander to learn about how the local road improvement will benefit the community and the fire station in particular. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Outagamie On January 29, Gov. Evers hosted a press conference and signed Executive Order #220, creating the Task Force on the Health Care Workforce, which the governor announced in his 2024 State of the State address at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. The task force was charged with studying the workforce challenges facing the state’s healthcare system, including recruitment and retention, identifying ways to improve patient care and alleviate the burdens on the healthcare workforce, exploring educational and training pathways to grow a sustainable healthcare workforce, and creating an action plan with solutions related to workforce development, industry innovation, education, and training. The task force presented their findings earlier this fall. The governor was joined by Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, DHS Secretary Johnson, and DWD Secretary Pechacek. Photos of the event are available here and here. On March 26, Gov. Evers hosted a press conference and signed SB 829, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 218, which allows a tactical emergency medical services (TEMS) professional who is acting in the line of duty to carry a firearm in otherwise prohibited areas, such as fish hatcheries and wildlife refuges, and for the purposes of trespassing. The governor was joined by local leaders, community members, and representatives from the Appleton Fire Department at a bill signing ceremony in Appleton. Since 2012, the Appleton community has been a leader in working to integrate TEMS into community emergency response services, and the local success of their program helped inspire the measures for Act 218. Photos of the bill signing are available here and here. Ozaukee On June 13, Gov. Evers, in celebration of Pride Month, visited Alme Design Co., an LGBTQ-owned home staging and interior design company in Thiensville. Alme Design Co also received a $10,000 Main Street Bounceback Grant. The governor was joined by owner Kai, who showed him around the store and detailed how they used the grant dollars. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On July 17, Gov. Evers and Secretary Blumenfeld visited Tendick Nature County Park in Saukville to highlight the announcement of the 2024 Coastal Management Grants. Funds were awarded to the Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department, which will complete stream and habitat restoration on Tendick Creek in Tendick Nature County Park in the town of Saukville. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On July 25, Gov. Evers and Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen visited ARIP grant recipients in Fredonia, which received over $1.8 million from ARIP to improve local roads and infrastructure along Belgium-Kohler Road. While there, the governor met with local leaders, toured the road, and heard how the funding will be vital to the town. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On October 9, Gov. Evers visited W.J. Niederkorn Library in Port Washington to tour the facility and meet with grant recipients of DOA’s FFP. Port Washington received more than $1 million through the FFP, and funding will assist with public library renovations, which will benefit over 17,200 individuals, including those who experience higher rates of poverty. Photos of the event are available here and here. Pepin On June 28, in celebration of Dairy Month, Gov. Evers visited Weiss Family Farms in Durand and was joined by DATCP Secretary Romanski. Weiss Family Farms started its operations in 1882, and seven generations later, their herd of 1,850 dairy cows supplies approximately 150,000 pounds of milk to Eau Galle Cheese in Durand each day. During their visit, the governor and secretary met with the Weiss family and took a tour of the farm. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Pierce On July 2, Gov. Evers visited New Adventures Learning Center in Prescott, which has been a recipient of the Child Care Counts Program since March 2020. During the visit, the governor heard from staff how the facility was able to utilize Child Care Counts Program funding. The governor also toured the facility’s new expansion, which was created to help support the increased need for child care in the area. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On September 23, Gov. Evers visited Pierce Pepin Cooperative Service’s (PPCS) new utility-scale solar array, Trenton Solar Array, to highlight National Clean Energy Week. This community solar array was built in conjunction with West CAP and funded by the Office of Energy Innovation at PSC and will provide solar energy to PPCS members who are financially vulnerable. The governor was joined by Pierce Pepin President and CEO Nate Boettcher, as well as other members of his team. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Polk On July 9, Gov. Evers continued his statewide travel with a visit to Centuria Public Library in Centuria to participate in their summer reading programs and highlight the nearly $50 million investment for efforts to improve reading and literacy outcomes for K-12 students that the governor approved in the final 2023-25 biennial budget over one year ago that is still being withheld by JFC. During the visit, the governor read the book “Why Not You” by Ciara and Russell Wilson and discussed with staff members the importance of literacy and the governor’s efforts to improve reading outcomes for students statewide. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Portage On Monday, April 29, Gov. Evers kicked off his annual Pothole Patrol tour in Stevens Point, where he filled potholes between Julia St. and Lora St. He was joined by WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen, State Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), regional WisDOT staff, city officials, and leaders. Photos from the event are here and here. On July 22, Gov. Evers attended the Mid-State Tech College ribbon-cutting ceremony for their Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA) Center. This center was built with $5 million in WIG funds and an additional $4 million from DOA. The completion of the AMETA Center will serve as a regional collaboration center around workforce challenges in the central region, including Wood, Portage, Adams, Waushara, Juneau, Jackson, Clark, and Marathon counties. Through the center, Mid-State Tech will be able to target unemployed, underemployed, underserved communities and youth with skill training and barrier-removing support services. Photos of the event available here and here. On September 4, Gov. Evers visited Ben Franklin Junior High School in the Stevens Point Area Public School District with Ben Franklin Junior High School Principal Joel Burgener, Stevens Point Area Public School District Superintendent Cory Hirsbrunner, and Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza, and met with students, educators, and staff. During the visit, the governor visited the music room, cafeteria, library, a graphic design class, and several other classrooms to answer questions from students. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On September 17, Gov. Evers visited UW-Stevens Point, where he was greeted by UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Thomas Gibson and joined for a campus tour by State Rep. Shankland and Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza. The governor visited the Science Building, where he learned about the university’s nursing program that is helping bolster the state’s nursing workforce, and visited a class of physical therapy students where they discussed the university’s efforts to impact rural health. The governor then met with student leaders who are providing peer-led support services to students and learned about a new capital building project on campus. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Price On August 13, Gov. Evers visited Parks Falls to celebrate the phase one completion of Marshfield Clinic Health System’s partial hospital replacement project. In 2022, the governor awarded $20 million through the Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Grant Program to address the facility’s aging infrastructure, improve outdated inpatient rooms, create a dedicated urgent care space, and bring new sleep study and retail pharmacy services to the hospital. This facility bridges an important gap in healthcare coverage in rural Wisconsin as the next closest similar medical facility is approximately an hour away, and funds have allowed the facility to stay open to continue to serve the community and bridge this gap while keeping jobs in the area and helping to attract and retain new medical professionals. Photos of the event are here and here. Racine On May 7, Gov. Evers visited Racine, where he continued his Pothole Patrol tour and fixed potholes at the intersection of West St. and Wilson St. He was joined by WisDOT Secretary Boardman, Racine Mayor Corey Mason, and regional WisDOT staff. Photos from the event are here and here. On May 23, Gov. Evers continued a week of statewide travel celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week with a stop at O&H Danish Bakery in Racine. The governor was led on a tour by Peter Olesen, a fourth-generation owner of O&H Danish Bakery, a family-owned and operated business operating out of Racine since 1949. During the visit, the governor, with help from Wade Nelson, a baker who has been with O&H for over 30 years, shaped, filled, and frosted his own Kringle, the official state pastry. The governor was joined by State Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) and Racine Mayor Corey Mason. Photos from the tour are available here and here. On September 30, Gov. Evers and Tourism Secretary Sayers visited Swan’s Pumpkin Farm in Franksville. While there, the governor and secretary were led by the owners, Ken and Jolynn Swan, on a tour of the farm, where they saw their pumpkin patch, corn maze, and petting zoo. To finish off the tour, the governor was able to assist in the farm bakery, making both apple cider doughnuts and caramel apples with staff at the farm. Photos of the visit are available here and here. On October 30, Gov. Tony Evers visited Racine to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and Health Center (King Center) in the Lincoln-King neighborhood. In 2022, the city of Racine received a $20 million grant through the governor’s Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Grant Program, which was created by Gov. Evers using federal pandemic relief funds Wisconsin received under ARPA to support the development of a new community health center in Racine. The new King Center will include a new Federally Qualified Health Center that will provide integrated medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare to low-income folks and families, including those who are uninsured or underinsured. Photos of the groundbreaking event are available here and here. Richland On September 12, Gov. Evers visited Richland Center Intermediate School in Richland Center to highlight the back-to-school season. During the visit, the governor, joined by Richland School District Superintendent Steve Board and Richland Center Intermediate School Principal Lisa Brown, toured the school, starting with visits to the sixth and third-grade classrooms and answered student’s questions, met with cafeteria food services staff and spoke with students in line for lunch, and ended the tour by meeting the new English Language Arts Math Interventionist, who is working to aid the school’s growing Hispanic community. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Rock On February 20, Gov. Evers attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center in Janesville. Gov. Evers directed $15 millionin ARPA funding to support the project after it was rejected by Republican members of the Legislature in the 2023-25 Capital Budget process. This project is expected to generate an estimated$23 millionin new economic impact to the community, as well as provide a regional venue for in-state athletic events. Photos from the event are here and here. On March 25, Gov. Evers hosted a bill signing event with State Sen. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), local officials, and members of the veteran communityin Orfordville, where he signed SB 223, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 215, designatinga portionof State Trunk Highway 11 in South Central Wisconsin as the “Corporal Benjamin H. Neal Memorial Highway.” Photos of the bill signing are available here and here. On Thursday, May 9, Gov. Evers repaired potholeson Lafayette St. between Joliet St. and Nicolet St. in Janesville as a part of his Pothole Patrol tour across the state. He was joined by WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen, City Manager Kevin Lahner, Janesville Public Works Director Mike Payne, State Rep. Sue Conley (D-Janesville), State Sen. Spreitzer, WisDOT regional staff, and other city officials. Photos from the event are here and here. Rusk On March 28, Gov. Evers attended the groundbreaking for the Ladysmith Community Center and Lindoo School Apartments, a project funded in part by a $3 million NIF grant. Ladysmith Elementary School was closed in 2018 and is now being repurposed into a housing and community center. Northpointe Development was selected as the developer, proposing a project that would convert the school into 40 workforce housing units while partnering with the city of Ladysmith to use a portion of the building as the community’s recreation center. The project will also include a skate park, an ADA-accessible playground, and other community park uses. Photos of the event are available here and here. |
| An online version of this release is available here. |
| ### |
 |
|
| Office of the Governor • 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702 | |
| Press Office Email: GovPress@wisconsin.gov | |
   |
|
| Unsubscribe |