[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6213016,"mediaKeyId","3682476-41c975ad09a59e5257288a065b0e3541","parentId",3682476,"title","Committee reviews Chapter 10 draft of comprehensive plan and receives McDevco and UW reports","audioSeconds",1265,"startMs",3582000,"endMs",4847000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3682476-41c975ad09a59e5257288a065b0e3541&start=3582&end=4847","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3682476-41c975ad09a59e5257288a065b0e3541/thumbnail_3582000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6213016/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Committee-reviews-Chapter-10-draft-of-comprehensive-plan-and-receives-McDevco-and-UW-reports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213016-aadf5980a3c3640b3aef2d3acdc3944d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179311&Signature=MVc5kljNQmfEoVSi42DqIndDxkYjcZL7YEa7fjOVkPJS4eNA13JQTduVwhT-VLszJNHQrDMEh3rEvkur183UIFj-W-n~XU4noRlAZUNrWog-jazxdqCPUzWHJN~-eljjVZfsURmWhkC5W7MekWEnQTOrNtSat8igZR8TtUi7A4~2oVwgEkyHTB-H-mP5F2-yj2kmHTRBR3tzJPy-FZAjLzrggr7z3haRad5EcDmnTNHKpgMtIH1e8mFJplieeVlPRFjkkUi0EL8rizqBdsGXlQyK5Mbu6HiyXJ8WYREdY2L~vSibFSqAsUz82n5~n-fGx7MW~t5k7UgQ-Pe2-juCpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marathon County, WI","date","2025-06-05T15:28:52Z","article","Committee members reviewed a working draft of Chapter 10 of Marathon County’s comprehensive plan (education, workforce development and economic development) and received routine monthly reports from McDevco and UW Extension.

Comprehensive plan update: Laurie Kimmons presented the initial working draft for Chapter 10 and said staff had incorporated 2020 data and several studies, noted missing entries and intended updates. The draft includes three separate goals—education, workforce development and economic development—and placeholders for a childcare section. Christian from the regional planning commission explained location quotient projections showing concentrated and growing industries by 2035 and said location quotient is a tool to identify sectors the region is comparatively strong in and to inform economic targeting.

Committee members requested updates and corrections: Supervisor Marshall asked for wording that avoids implying the county can “ensure” workforce availability; staff agreed to change that to “support.” Members also asked to add Marathon County to a table of large employers and to double-check UW Stevens Point enrollment figures and school district consolidation notes.

McDevco report: McDevco staff summarized business incubation, financing and revolving loan activity. Highlights included administering multiple revolving loan funds on behalf of the county and partners, disbursing about $657,000 in loans this year, and near-exhaustion of Marathon County’s $1 million chunk of the county revolving loan fund (the program continues with other committed funds). The Wausau Business Incubator is about 82% occupied (up from roughly 60% in early 2021), with increased demand in manufacturing suites and a commercial incubator kitchen nearing capacity.

UW Wausau and Extension updates: Miranda Gentry Siegel, incoming Wausau campus executive, reported student registration and Upward Bound programming (34 students enrolled). UW Extension staff highlighted the FoodWIse (SNAP-Ed) program and noted that federal SNAP-Ed funding was not included in recent House agriculture bill language; statewide SNAP-Ed funding is roughly $7.6 million, staff said, and local educators said they would welcome support and advocacy. Extension also noted summer programs such as 4-H camp and horticulture outreach.

Next steps: Staff will update the Chapter 10 draft with requested corrections, seek more recent data where appropriate, and return to the committee for further review. McDevco requested continued referrals of small-business clients for loans and incubation services.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marathon County Extension, Education & Economic Development Committee Meeting - 6/5/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members reviewed a working draft of Chapter 10 (education, workforce and economic development) of the Marathon County comprehensive plan and received monthly updates from McDevco, UW Wausau and UW Extension, including concerns about SNAP-Ed funding and local economic development data updates.","taxTitle","Marathon County, Wisconsin","taxId",4560,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213021,"Committee approves $5,000 sponsorship for Alice in Dairyland events",565,2561000,3126000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3682476-41c975ad09a59e5257288a065b0e3541&start=2561&end=3126","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3682476-41c975ad09a59e5257288a065b0e3541/thumbnail_2561000.jpg","/articles/6213021/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Committee-approves-5000-sponsorship-for-Alice-in-Dairyland-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213021-fb00a6fe165dfdd86ab10eaf5465f15a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179311&Signature=HIggxTgzXy2saIpvnE0FN0b7PfvTdsvAW~S2X8z6aLwWBASNkJoQE3w82NAe9z69NKeZT5Bakpwhe7vcK7EMtwlZ~jSlrmUtYw2mAGV3bZjTS8GhPVlMP0XjPd~dV8SBBvZOhJkOMq4IwbR25RS7-XsHkHWSKJPPfmeZAnQio1VLCU7uNnHbBPP8NzczCAyDnWOXLZCm51Rv6FBRZALhZchbXloHBm64MWLzOuskywBJp8xI1d0WX-5VkYeIMitkGScaOw6prl0DSTgS1mn4~d9~~z9zT2scjN2cfzqkgqyOxaaE8Gj-KoSgsA0tlpN5PJEUWgLr49gYSk~BzNKflg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marathon County Extension Education and Economic Development Committee approved a $5,000 sponsorship to support Marathon County’s hosting of the Alice in Dairyland program; the vote was unanimous.

Jenny Rudolph, co-chair of the local steering committee and an officer with the Partnership for Progressive Agriculture, requested the county’s support at the gold sponsorship level. Rudolph said Marathon County is the host county for the Alice in Dairyland program through the finale in May 2026 and provided an event budget and schedule of proposed appearances, including the June dairy breakfast on June 29 in Athens and other community events.

Rudolph said the total budget for Marathon County’s hosting efforts is about $79,000 and that organizers have raised $23,350 so far. The sponsorship would support the briefing that announces the six finalists, refreshments, room rental and related finalist expenses; Rudolph asked for either an immediate commitment or a 2026-budget letter so her team could include the county logo in promotional materials now.

County administrator staff said the county’s special projects fund could be used and that, if needed, funding supplied this year would require a budget amendment; the administrator offered to identify a funding source for HR finance consideration. Supervisor Cifo noted comparable sponsorship levels from other Wisconsin counties and asked whether local candidates were likely to participate; Rudolph said finalists are selected in January 2026 and local candidates are possible.

Action: Supervisor (speaker recorded as) Cifo moved to donate $5,000; Supervisor Hagen seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Administration will identify a funding source and, if necessary, process a budget amendment to provide the sponsorship this year.","Marathon County agreed to donate $5,000 to support hosting the 70th Alice in Dairyland activities, including a statewide briefing and the 2026 finale; the county will identify a funding source and process a budget amendment where required.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213026,"Committee adopts substitute resolution directing county JRB representative on TID termination dates",3502,37000,3539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3682476-41c975ad09a59e5257288a065b0e3541&start=37&end=3539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3682476-41c975ad09a59e5257288a065b0e3541/thumbnail_37000.jpg","/articles/6213026/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Committee-adopts-substitute-resolution-directing-county-JRB-representative-on-TID-termination-dates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213026-93709ce0f8311d00fa58d5c68ad54dd5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179311&Signature=S~nIPXHhWlG87yLmcG5FOpVRka884lr2U8uvvMgGNsY2z7Ii5gVODBQHQjwEaRowNGCcN2~fgEUV6Ocd0VPbPkVrhcgmW1yNMW5mKl8NtPqFH4rD9BVVuBR~Msb8s1t8Aog-dKKp2IFUrYStlHPv6SyLCQ~mQC1L6xfOGgUxXh-XbNuTxFO~QJKiTt7N~i6S0Tf9kTzELbOBABWY8pHXePtwzLf~XYcd9pqKqIbzxsFwv44B4SSlweEkWQAPcPt~lb5eoox2VI7iu8DlAhMNTeD6n8sShDTLAVAFAI9HJiQnOMpU-1DlvkvClkykG~IoUJQH-Dj1cVnM95IVGZLUIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marathon County Extension Education and Economic Development Committee unanimously approved a substitute resolution that directs the county’s representative on any future tax incremental district (TID) joint review board to vote to set termination dates consistent with state law and county and taxpayer interests.

The substitute resolution, presented and read by Vice Chair Feifrick, summarizes county TID statistics and asks that the county representative oppose TID termination dates that would effectively extend a TID beyond a specified cap. The substitute language retains the committee’s intent while streamlining earlier draft whereas clauses, Feifrick said.

Public comment and background: Earlier in the meeting, Peter Weinshank urged the committee to forward a draft proposal based on the work of a county TIF task force and to adopt a “10 standards” approach for creating any new TID. Weinshank highlighted three figures he said support the change: an estimated $321.13 average TIF-related tax paid by the average Marathon County homeowner in 2023, about $1.4 billion of property value inside county TIDs and an average projected TID lifespan of nearly 26 years. Weinshank told the committee the proposal “puts into play Department of Revenue best practices for TIF” and would not restrict municipal use of TIF within state law.

Finance staff summarized recent joint review board activity and routine reviews of several village and city TIDs prior to the resolution discussion. Sam Fenske, identified in the meeting as finance director, briefly reviewed recent joint review board meetings and annual reviews of existing TIDs.

Resolution details and numbers: Vice Chair Feifrick told the committee he updated the draft to remove language he considered opinionated and to refresh statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The substitute whereas clauses cited: 40 active Marathon County TIDs in 2025; a combined 2024 increment value of $1,294,624,600; an average projected TID lifespan of 25.85 years; and that 35% of active TIDs in the county have had their lives extended.

Action taken: Feifrick moved to approve the substitute resolution and Supervisor Hagen seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The resolution directs county leadership to instruct the county’s joint review board representative to vote on TID termination dates in a manner “consistent with existing law and that benefits county government and property taxpayers,” and it includes language limiting any supported termination date to not exceed 38 years beyond creation as set in the substitute text.

Committee follow-up: Administrator Leonard noted he incorporated the public commenter’s draft language into the packet and made non-substantive wording changes to operationalize county engagement with municipalities. The committee requested staff ensure communication to municipalities and prepare reporting language for county board review.

The meeting record shows the committee moved this item after a public comment and staff finance updates; no additional budget appropriation accompanied the resolution.","After public comment urging adoption of a 10-standards approach to tax increment finance, the committee unanimously approved a substitute resolution instructing Marathon County's Joint Review Board representative to vote to set TID termination dates consistent with state law and county interests, with a cap described in the substitute text.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6213031,"Committee backs $150,000 seed for Central Wisconsin air service development fund",2063,445000,2508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3682476-41c975ad09a59e5257288a065b0e3541&start=445&end=2508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3682476-41c975ad09a59e5257288a065b0e3541/thumbnail_445000.jpg","/articles/6213031/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Committee-backs-150000-seed-for-Central-Wisconsin-air-service-development-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213031-d9ae6531340889fd0dd8322e67272a78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179311&Signature=jqEy0QYl24-23rpceLuxuULYGU4M7DscGavkekb2jxRtbcXoljPCN1W2qJhRki5zfR1vj~NBIG13khMas6N5KgUsqFoYJZE0rrPKNGXgshFWaOFXsSE6rdt9FqZdNN6oqbN9FvsrUI6Fxzj-dtawNLfqgBRYbtbR4TMwCVYO2Bq~mWHo1C3P1T5LtugCcb1H5MJKeiiyyOC9OQ1zdiY2d99v6PmNI2jUjpWDA0jGbSFA2XiAEfcU52B4GABhZ5-b-sd3vIJBY93RJiyBmmacag6MqMxA1ZUqpJcg4hRAMs5UZFsvqFhXEE9OlOf8L2jdq70rosJojmtAqU~fXRZuzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marathon County Extension Education and Economic Development Committee voted to encourage and support the creation of a Central Wisconsin air service development fund and asked that $150,000 be placed in the county's 2026 budget as seed money.

The proposal, presented by Brian Griefy, asked the county to join a regional effort to create a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG) program that would help attract or stabilize air service at Central Wisconsin Airport. Griefy described the MRG as “a temporary financial safety net” to cover revenue shortfalls against a target amount during a route startup period, generally limited to 12 to 24 months. He said the fund would not be a direct subsidy to airlines but would cover shortfalls if passenger-related revenue and fees did not meet agreed targets.

Why it matters: Committee members and airport officials said renewed nonstop service or additional seasonal flights could support regional businesses, expand workforce mobility and attract visitors. Griefy cited return-on-investment examples drawn from airport research: a $500,000 investment could support one seasonal route and an estimated $3 million in annual regional economic impact; $1.5 million could support multiple or daily routes with larger impact. He asked the county to provide $150,000 as seed funding while additional contributions would be sought from Portage County, foundations, businesses and federal or state programs.

Discussion and concerns: Committee members questioned how the fund would be managed, who would receive payments and what guarantees exist that an airline would remain after any guarantee period. Griefy said an outside nonprofit would manage the fund, disbursements would occur only if agreed revenue targets were missed, and the airport and community would set clear performance metrics and transparent monthly reporting. Chris Dickinson, chair of the Joint Airport Board, said Avelo’s earlier service had shown strong local load factors and community support but that the carrier’s broader corporate decision to exit the region explained its departure.

Some supervisors raised reservations about priorities and equity. Supervisor Rosenberg asked whether seasonal leisure routes produce net benefits or merely export travel spending; he noted the risk that a carrier could leave after a short period. Another supervisor urged attention to alternatives such as microtransit that benefit more residents. Supporters said legacy carriers and low-cost airlines both would be eligible and that the fund would be targeted to pitch routes with market data showing local demand.

Vote and next steps: Vice Chair Pfeiffer moved the committee resolution “to encourage and support the development of a Central Wisconsin air service development fund and include $150,000 in the 2026 budget.” Supervisor Unger seconded. The motion passed; the record shows two committee members opposed and the motion otherwise carried. The committee asked administration to include the request in the 2026 budget process and for further coordination with Portage County and regional partners.

The airport board and staff will continue outreach to airlines and potential fund partners and return with details on governance, performance metrics and a fundraising plan.","The Marathon County committee voted to encourage creation of a Central Wisconsin air service development fund and asked that $150,000 be included in the 2026 budget to seed a minimum revenue guarantee program to attract or stabilize airline service at Central Wisconsin Airport.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews Chapter 10 draft of comprehensive plan and receives McDevco and UW reports

Committee approves $5,000 sponsorship for Alice in Dairyland events

Committee adopts substitute resolution directing county JRB representative on TID termination dates

Committee backs $150,000 seed for Central Wisconsin air service development fund