(The Center Square) – A bill that would change the oversight of Wisconsin’s major event funds to reduce the number of approvals needed will be discussed in the Assembly on Tuesday.
The large events fund was created in a 2023 bill that created an Opportunity Attraction Fund worth $30 million for events such as the NFL Draft in Green Bay or the USA Triathlon in Milwaukee but bill sponsors say that the funds have not been able to be used in many cases due to the approvals necessary to distribute those funds.
Assembly Bill 813 would change the definition of fund distribution from grants to sponsorships from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
Grants require six to eight weeks to process, committee approval if they are worth $501,000 or more and additional approval of the WEDC Board of Directors if they are valued at more than $2 million.
Sponsorships require background and conflict of interest checks along with legal review but only need the approval of the WEDC marketing division and CEO.
“Unfortunately, WEDC and the tourism industry have run into some bumps with the current program not being able to function in an expedient enough fashion to help the tourism industry in a fast pace bidding situation,” sponsors Sen. Pat Testin, R-Stevens Point, and Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewac, said in testimony for committee. “This prevented the money from being used, or in some cases, communities ultimately turning down their awards because they had already missed deadlines to bid.
“The changes in this bill aim to ensure this program is working effectively and getting money out the door in an efficient manner while promoting Wisconsin and growing our economy through our incredible tourism industry.”
The fund had five events and $2 million committed as of the end of 2025 for events in 2026 and 2027. The bill also allows up to 25% of the annual large event funds to go to events that are not open to the public.
The events cannot be a regular in-state event or one that rotates destinations within Wisconsin.
“This bill is a product of conversations with WEDC and the tourism industry on how to make sure the program functions properly and promptly to ensure the money is getting out the door and we’re not missing out on great opportunities for Wisconsin,” the sponsors testified.
