[{"_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",6486454,"mediaKeyId","5576884-e43362c688468c8d78bf28f0e6130fa3","parentId",5576884,"title","Committee hears reports on tourism marketing, small‑business grant, trails and fair improvements","audioSeconds",962,"startMs",1419000,"endMs",2381000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576884-e43362c688468c8d78bf28f0e6130fa3&start=1419&end=2381","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576884-e43362c688468c8d78bf28f0e6130fa3/thumbnail_1419000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486454/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Committee-hears-reports-on-tourism-marketing-smallbusiness-grant-trails-and-fair-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486454-3d19228b799d9d9516bdb4c26ad6a941/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437784&Signature=fzeqY9ABm~mh53QaUce2DMCQXUgflHmw~fKxAPhNUSH3EQf984EUt59GdO7ImiUKQvjTkJhO6Q~VcJ9Yn17dMmpAmMKktfCNAes53eoxP5XeIQNX7nqGjjTBIL6jZE2uo0hyPagNVWEqhjVCOGK-mpTBtDzI70nBM9OhT5MSpZXCv1BryNToiRZyevrdWq6xbKok5qcQOcKIMcdBD6QlsrjfXK0rPfni5iUHI~iUBlB7tvKzhgcvsgjpPp-uiVZUBRPqAWaX2qIFMlRTu2ad-ZXmoSIDMoSVP9WlKHcsYbF-5yw-bK~lkvEmDTSfAtdqqY2YK4J~R0om8AoF0G340w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sawyer County, WI ","date","2025-08-13T13:49:42.99Z","article","Staff and community representatives provided a series of informational updates on tourism marketing, local economic development, trails and fairgrounds improvements.

Mindy Simons of the Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau reported on recent digital marketing campaigns targeting families, including sponsored content with parenting publications and email marketing that produced open rates in line with industry averages. Simons said the bureau tracks engaged sessions using UTM parameters and highlighted measurable on‑site engagement from advertising clicks. She also reported a vacation‑guide photo contest and the conclusion of a fishing contest that produced more than 1,400 signups for topic‑focused email lists. Simons said the bureau’s annual request to the county is $50,000, the same amount the county has provided since 2019.

Simons described an operational safety change for the busy summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day): the visitor center and Hayward Area Chamber coordinated with the City of Hayward Police Department and the city attorney to deploy pedestrian crossing flags at the intersection of County Road 63 and Main Street while two staff are on duty at the information center.

The committee heard a submitted report from the Sawyer County–Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Lamorie (as reported by staff) said the EDC has agreed to rent a permanent office in the Lumber Exchange beginning in 2026 and secured a second round of a Thrive Grant that will provide $25,000 for small‑business assistance, including business‑planning help and tax‑ID support.

Trail and event organizers reported record attendees at Lumberjack events and described trail maintenance work including brushing and erosion control. Organizers previewed an upcoming trail-run weekend in September that will include a marathon, half marathon, 5K, 10K and relay, and a large bike race over Labor Day for which organizers estimated substantial participation. County staff also reported the fairgrounds completed a permanent perimeter fence intended to improve safety and security ahead of the county fair running Thursday through Sunday the following week.

Ending: The updates were informational; the committee did not take formal action other than to record the reports. Representatives were invited to report again at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Economic Development and UW Extension 2025 08 11","oneSentenceSummary","Reports included Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau marketing metrics and a $50,000 annual county request, Sawyer County LCO EDC securing a permanent office and $25,000 Thrive grant, trail events and a new permanent fairgrounds fence.","taxTitle","Sawyer County, Wisconsin","taxId",73055,"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},6486459,"Sawyer County committee approves resolution asking state and WCA to address Canadian wildfire smoke",460,1766000,2226000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576884-e43362c688468c8d78bf28f0e6130fa3&start=1766&end=2226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576884-e43362c688468c8d78bf28f0e6130fa3/thumbnail_1766000.jpg","/articles/6486459/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-committee-approves-resolution-asking-state-and-WCA-to-address-Canadian-wildfire-smoke","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486459-206be3c4e5b2e0457e5e4757d7418bdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437784&Signature=e4TIEJs0YYOHnEcu2ZN3BY~vwksDoBTNi1AHpNLeVVPKoTEL~8OGFh~o1G1I~BaMgsco2QYrAAj-4AxOh-1U6xAGygU1JrwePosCHP8V3dSih9Znt-wqaa3An3HT1plkEbBdmFso8uF6zAs3slcipTz1uDvSvkT2whykfd2nHwsy4i5e7l8F1Fablr3Lu3WkWLvjkc0cDBgKwdu3KoB3oOuiIXiAS0v9-KSrEuz~nr8o7s3JN3XZVugSehan8lhsPwgZ2vUOCgTsRxZ5Y3f8Vk-NG9sW1jjnf565CXMsTLKT~pV7dYmWoAmcBI8qqO99X3QNImaSYfsoQjovSBYamw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sawyer County committee voted to approve a resolution expressing concern about Canadian wildfire smoke and asking that the county’s view be shared with the Wisconsin Counties Association, the governor and the state legislature.

Committee member Stacy Hessel moved to approve the resolution “to make awareness” and to share it with the WCA; Steve Carianan seconded the motion. After a brief discussion about the complexity of cross‑border smoke sources, members voted in favor and the chair declared the resolution approved. No roll‑call tally of individual votes was recorded in the meeting transcript; the chair called for “all those in favor? Aye,” and then confirmed the resolution was approved.

In discussion before the motion, speakers described the problem as an increasingly severe seasonal air‑quality and public‑health concern that has grown worse in recent years and expressed a desire for the state and federal officials to identify what, if any, actions are possible. One committee member noted that smoke sources can be multiple — including fires in the western U.S. as well as Canadian provinces — and that a county resolution is an inquiry and awareness measure rather than a regulatory remedy.

The resolution, as discussed, requests that the county share its concerns with the Wisconsin Counties Association and ask the governor and legislature for information on possible responses. Committee members characterized the resolution as nonbinding and aimed at raising awareness and seeking an answer about whether state or federal steps are feasible.

Ending: The committee approved the resolution and directed staff to share it with the Wisconsin Counties Association, the governor’s office and the state legislature as described in the motion; no further county actions or financial commitments were made at the meeting.","The committee approved a nonbinding resolution requesting awareness and inquiry into Canadian wildfire smoke impacts and asking the governor, state legislature and Wisconsin Counties Association for information on possible responses.",{"_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},6486463,"Weiss Library seeks $245,000 from Sawyer County; county staff explain statutory reimbursement formula",83,141000,224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576884-e43362c688468c8d78bf28f0e6130fa3&start=141&end=224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576884-e43362c688468c8d78bf28f0e6130fa3/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6486463/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Weiss-Library-seeks-245000-from-Sawyer-County-county-staff-explain-statutory-reimbursement-formula","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486463-4d382191204817351baf7dcbb9bd1ed2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437784&Signature=f71UDO2dXSyWbqyYEdMFXJNR~jsPMe6RtTZD0B~7TBlYZj7~vS9D~7ZwV5zcWZiGnujsA-p88Xem0e-vuLtMPQz2xFIl-OTLvzm5KzRBj2vS8nbyVN38Bb-TZVIw4TWoZP1QW2EzBOybZabdvmKB8TNnr5kZhcnIyWU-tFLOtoKrFO-Wn5TlyqqLECkmBClUhDv~xaLKY8HDkSAGLVJBscgs3rg6XAUsjpW8-YXLZZfGFiAO56MlVF-qNKRhCKKqF8KR1K-47PSa-8qKQhaRBSH0zqoO9ERJNZpJhSxm9-1P3722RknL38N8ZIafEPjAvZUWS0NrJ3XejGLSLMClFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff presented preliminary budget requests and strategic‑planning items for libraries that receive Sawyer County support, focusing on Weiss Library and Winter Library.

The Weiss Library requested $245,000 for the coming year, an increase of $35,000 compared with the $210,000 the county provided last year and roughly double the statutory reimbursement formula, which staff reported as $122,508. The county’s statutory “unit cost” formula was described as expenses divided by physical checkouts for the prior reporting year; staff said the formula for 2026 is based on 2024 figures. The presenter explained that Weiss’s expenses fell in 2024 while circulation rose, which reduced the unit‑cost formula number even as the library’s requested amount stayed higher.

Winter Library asked to maintain funding at $78,253, which staff described as its formula amount and said has been stable for several years. Staff explained that a 2019 change to a joint library arrangement reduced the county’s out‑of‑county reimbursement obligations, which lowered Winter’s formula amount even though the county has historically funded both Winter and Weiss above the statutory threshold.

Committee members asked for clarification on how the statutory regulated amount is calculated; staff reiterated it is calculated from DPI annual reports and uses prior‑year expenses and physical checkout counts (excluding digital checkouts such as Libby). A committee member noted Weiss’s request is roughly double the formula amount; staff confirmed the county has at times supplemented the formula amount and cited one year when ARPA funds were used to increase the Weiss allocation.

The review was labeled a preliminary look; staff said they had received required documentation from the libraries, including balance sheets and 2026 budgets. No county action or vote on library funding was taken at the meeting; the requests were presented for the committee’s information ahead of formal budget deliberations.

Ending: Staff will include these requests in the preliminary budget materials and committee members may ask further questions at upcoming budget meetings.","Officials reviewed preliminary budget requests for Weiss and Winter libraries. Weiss requested $245,000, well above the statutory formula amount reported as $122,508; Winter requested to maintain $78,253, the formula amount.",{"_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},6486468,"UW FoodWIse program to end in Sawyer County after federal SNAP‑Ed cut",190,762000,952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576884-e43362c688468c8d78bf28f0e6130fa3&start=762&end=952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576884-e43362c688468c8d78bf28f0e6130fa3/thumbnail_762000.jpg","/articles/6486468/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/UW-FoodWIse-program-to-end-in-Sawyer-County-after-federal-SNAPEd-cut","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486468-def26ad7b7745967dbe641078249cb43/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437784&Signature=FBg5ZmXnlhpmufPS4~-iPnUrC4MOfd-Ho~d0ag9LowUUafXPHSx96Bh2uDY4X8iWgl9VZmfoS1h-mBiEpMSK6uGA2RPuw20J3A01ToExiqtmz2V1BWNGXmpea00-xkgCk9xE4UqzcTAiza751WrLh6j7dkU8o98qqO5y6Pb3ertQ-0Re2V97VK0saxBBZT2WKSg86cSV44ZRLRE12JuDKwY1bpTYQieE6eURKb5BwJSSSFV4L5x7eJLfP5Rff4AH6NgWCO8W4SX7LwA-eUrP0OcKR0ZE-XFZ~aXqIkUI5bKN~lzmwEmLrK7FbQ~LzpmwiiS3ZfO1Dd0XPQJYKaxdKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridget Rongner, FoodWIse administrator for Northwest Wisconsin, told the Sawyer County committee that federal SNAP‑Ed funding for the FoodWIse nutrition-education program has been cut and the program’s funding for Sawyer County will end on Sept. 30.

The announcement means FoodWIse — the UW‑Madison Extension program that provided nutrition education, senior fitness classes and school and community garden support in Sawyer County — will wind down programming and partnerships this year. Committee members were informed the program has been active in the county for decades and focused on children, older adults and families with limited incomes.

Rongner said the cut stemmed from a reduction in federal SNAP‑Ed appropriations and that staff are coordinating with community partners to wind down policy, systems and environment initiatives and distribute remaining resources. “The funding…the SNAP Ed funding that was part of the federal budget was cut, and so our funding is eliminated,” Rongner said.

The presentation said FoodWIse activities in Sawyer County have included in‑school nutrition education, “StrongBodies” and Tai Chi classes for older adults, partnerships with local food pantries and farmers markets, and a garden grant with Hayward School District that supplied produce to the school salad bar and local food pantries. Rongner highlighted long‑time local staff member Kim’s 14 years of service as a central reason the program built trust and sustained partnerships.

Committee staff and presenters discussed what continuing some FoodWIse services might cost. An estimate presented during the meeting put the annual cost to maintain comparable programming in Sawyer County at roughly $60,000–$80,000; those figures were given as estimates rather than finalized budget decisions. Washburn County officials have tentatively reallocated leftover 2025 funds to create a 50–60% position that could provide nutrition education in Sawyer County if the parties proceed through the budget process.

The committee did not take a formal funding vote at the meeting. Staff said further budget discussions and coordination with neighboring counties and community partners will continue as the program winds down.

Ending: County officials were asked to expect follow‑up briefings on options for partial continuation through intercounty agreements or local funding; no final commitments were made at the meeting.","FoodWIse staff told the committee federal SNAP‑Ed funding was eliminated; programming in Sawyer County will stop at the end of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30, and local partners are discussing partial alternatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears reports on tourism marketing, small‑business grant, trails and fair improvements

Sawyer County committee approves resolution asking state and WCA to address Canadian wildfire smoke

Weiss Library seeks $245,000 from Sawyer County; county staff explain statutory reimbursement formula

UW FoodWIse program to end in Sawyer County after federal SNAP‑Ed cut