Lawmakers tout $42 million state investment tied to mill upgrades as jobs safeguard for Central Wisconsin

At a spring legislative breakfast in Wisconsin Rapids, state lawmakers highlighted a $42 million state allocation aimed at repairing a downtown dam and leveraging private investment in regional paper-mill facilities.

A panelist said the state money is intended to help secure about $100 million in private upgrades to area mills, calling the investment “real jobs” for Central Wisconsin. “The $42,000,000 that we’re sending out the door to regain a $100,000,000 in upgrades … those are real jobs,” the lawmaker said.

Speakers said the funding is part of broader efforts to revitalize the region’s forest-products economy, citing Assembly Bill 619 as a vehicle to unlock new markets for wood products, including sustainable aviation fuel production. One legislator described the package as a model for pairing public dollars with large private commitments: “It’s a $1,500,000,000 private investment in the venture, and they won’t get tax credits unless it actually builds the facility,” the speaker said, describing a proposed aviation biofuel project.

Panelists framed the investment as both economic development and infrastructure repair. The $42 million was described specifically as released to “take care of the downtown dam” in a local community, an action that panelists said was welcomed by residents who live below that dam.

The discussion also noted other session outcomes that affect local industry, including changes intended to allow Marathon County’s forensic science center to charge for certain services and recent legislative activity related to PFAS cleanup funding. Lawmakers stressed that these moves aim to preserve jobs, modernize existing mills and attract further private investment to Central Wisconsin.

The panel repeatedly urged local stakeholders to stay engaged with legislators as budget and tax-relief negotiations continue at the state level; one lawmaker said leadership was working with the governor’s office on a property-tax relief package expected in coming weeks.

No formal votes or binding commitments were taken at the breakfast; lawmakers characterized the event as an opportunity to report session results and collect local feedback. The moderator closed by thanking sponsors and noting the event recording will be available through Wisconsin Rapids community media.