The Marathon County Extension, Education and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously to direct the county administrator to author a letter of support for the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership's (GWPP) application to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's (WEDC) talent recruitment grant program.

Renee Krings, senior director of the GWPP, told the committee the WEDC program, established under 2025 Wisconsin Act 15, makes $5,000,000 available statewide with a $500,000 cap per municipality and requires a 20% local match. Krings said the grant opened on Jan. 5 and closes Jan. 30 and emphasized the proposal's countywide scope and focus on employer partnerships, community onboarding and retention efforts.

"We believe that in order for Marathon County to be successful, we must prioritize the needs of our local employers while supporting both our urban and rural communities," Krings said.

Administrator Leonard framed the need by citing Marathon County's workforce pressures and a low unemployment rate relative to the state average. Leonard recommended the committee consider sending a support letter to strengthen the GWPP application and to leverage outside funding for local employers.

Supervisors asked how applicants and households would be vetted and what would count toward the local match. Krings said WEDC requires applicants to demonstrate fiscal capacity and that household applicants generally must show annual earnings of at least $55,000 to qualify; she added that in-kind contributions such as staff time or municipal services can count toward the 20% match.

One supervisor asked whether GWPP would be treated as a municipality for the $500,000 cap. Krings responded that nonprofit economic development organizations are eligible applicants and that GWPP would identify Marathon County as the target geography in the application.

A motion to direct the administrator to write the letter passed with all present voting in favor; no members voiced opposition during the recorded vote. The committee did not specify incentive amounts per household in public discussion, saying those details are still being finalized as part of a competitive application process.

Next steps: staff will prepare the requested letter of support and GWPP will continue finalizing its application before the Jan. 30 deadline.