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Area Legislators Hold Recovery and Reinvestment Roundtable

Monday, April 20, 2009

Local government officials and business leaders meet with Office of Recovery and Reinvestment staff to discuss economic stimulus efforts in the Chippewa Valley

EAU CLAIRE – Senators Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) and Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) along with Representatives Kristen Dexter (D-Eau Claire) and Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) hosted a roundtable discussion in Eau Claire today to talk about ongoing economic stimulus efforts happening in the Chippewa Valley. The event gave local government and economic development leaders a chance to discuss possible economic stimulus funding with staff from the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment

“Today’s meeting was focused on finding practical, productive and realistic answers to the tough questions facing our area” said Kreitlow. “While some of our colleagues in Madison seem more focused in scoring political points than in finding workable solutions, we’ll continue to focus on working to make the investments our local economy needs to get back on track.”

“Our communities face many challenges and the need is great” said Vinehout. “Our roads are crumbling, small cities need sanitation systems and the school roof needs replacement. We can reinvest in our infrastructure by fixing these things. We can create jobs in the process. We need to make sure the funding is getting out to our local communities and we are holding this meeting to make sure it does.”

Participants included Secretary Rod Nilsestuen of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, representatives from the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment, US Rural Development, West Central Regional Planning and various local government and economic development groups.

“Having state experts in Eau Claire, speaking in-depth about the state stimulus package and the benefits that it will have for the Chippewa Valley, offered a unique opportunity for our local officials to have their questions addressed in person. These inclusive meetings produce results,” Dexter stated. “I was thrilled that today’s meeting brought so many local and state leaders to the table.”

“We’re focusing on the important things,” Smith said. “We need to create jobs and protect working families who are being hit so hard by this economic mess that we all inherited from years of failed economic policies. We’re willing to work with anyone to help the Chippewa Valley get through these hard economic times. As we proceed I hope that the posturing can come to an end and we can focus on working for the people who elected us.”

More information on Wisconsin’s ongoing economic recovery efforts can be found at the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment website at www.recovery.wisconsin.gov or by contacting any of the legislators involved with today’s event.

Last Updated (2009-06-02 23:41:49)