Advocacy Call to Action #2
Under Assembly Bill 449/Senate Bill 448, a RURAL CREATIVE ECONOMY GRANT PROGRAM would be created in the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to promote and assist the development of businesses, products, or services in RURAL AREAS that have an artistic, cultural, creative, or aesthetic value.
REMAINING FLOOR PERIODS
· February 13-22
· March 12-14
SUPPORTERS
· Association of Wisconsin Tourism Attractions
· Create Wisconsin
· Destinations Wisconsin
· League of Wisconsin Municipalities
· National Federation of Independent Business
· Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association
· Wisconsin Restaurant Association
· Wisconsin Downtown Action Council
· Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
COSPONSORS
Representatives Novak, Kitchens, Allen, Andraca, Armstrong, Behnke, Considine, Edming, Green, Jacobson, Mursau, Oldenburg, Rozar, Shankland, Spiros, Tusler, Tranel, Schmidt, Hurd, Emerson, Ratcliff and Bare; (15 GOP)
cosponsored by Senators Quinn, Ballweg, James, Testin, and Spreitzer (4 GOP)
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT
The Assembly Rural Development Committee on 1/4/24, unanimously recommended passage of AB 449, authored by Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville).
11/8 - Public Hearing
1/4 – Executive Session
Representative Armstrong (Chair)
Representative Schmidt (Vice-Chair)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, RURAL ISSUES AND FORESTRY
The Senate Committee on Housing, Rural Issues, and Forestry held a public hearing on SB 448, authored by Sen. Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron), on 10/18/23, however, we are still working to build support among GOP committee members.
· 10/18 Public Hearing
SENATE GOP (6)
1) Quinn
2) Ballweg
3) James
4) Feyen
5) Testin
6) Felzkowski
7) Wanggaard
8) Hutton (Chris)
9) Tomczyk
10) Wimberger
11) Knodl (James)
12) Jagler
13) Stafsholt
14) Cabral-Guevera
15) Nass
16) LeMahieu
17) Kapenga
18) Cowles
19) Jacque
20) Marklein
21) Stroebel
22) Bradley
DRAFT/SAMPLE TO SEND TO LEGISLATORS:
Dear Sen./Rep. _____,
I am writing to respectfully ask for your support of legislation to establish a Rural Wisconsin Creative Economy Grant Program. Authored by Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron) and Representative Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville), Senate Bill 448/ Assembly Bill 449 would provide the resources rural communities across the state need to enhance their unique cultural and artistic characteristics to appeal to both residents and visitors alike.
Cultural and Artistic Vibrancy Essential to Rural Economies
The Rural Wisconsin Creative Economy Grant Program would support the growth and development of rural creative economies through direct investments in artistic and culturally-based businesses and creative entrepreneurs.
The proposed state investment in rural communities would allow Wisconsin to better compete with neighboring states who are investing in creative sector development and placemaking initiatives, such as Destination Iowa.
An increased state investment in the creative sector will further support the growth and development of tourism, which is big business for many rural economies.
Under the bill, grants up to a maximum $50,000 would be awarded competitively to eligible businesses, business development associations, and tribal and municipal governments in rural areas of the state for the promotion of creative or cultural businesses, products, or services, including film and video, music, performing arts, visual arts, museums, heritage sites, venues, festivals, and other cultural events. The proposed state investment of $500,000 GPR annually biennium would generate a minimum of $1 million more annually in matching funds from grant recipients and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Wisconsin Arts Board, part of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, would administer the program and produce a report on program effectiveness.
Thank you for your consideration. Please let me know if you have any questions, I would be happy to share additional information on how these grant dollars will benefit efforts to grow our local creative sector.
