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May 12, 2025
NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN – Central Wisconsin Days 2025 brought together 62 regional leaders for two days of dialogue, advocacy and relationship-building with policymakers in Madison last month.
The event was hosted by Centergy, Inc., which, according to its website (centraltosuccess.com), is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit regional marketing and economic development organization representing Adams, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage and Wood counties.
Angel Laidlaw, Centergy president/CEO, said this year’s Central Wisconsin Days featured 37 advocates divided into 14 teams, ensuring every Central Wisconsin legislator or legislative office was engaged in meaningful conversation, serving as “a vital platform to promote key policy priorities for the region.”
The four issue papers discussed with lawmakers included:
- Modernizing TIF & Historic Tax Credits for Community Growth
- Expanding Housing Solutions for Small Cities and Rural Communities
- Supporting the Workforce of Tomorrow – Our Students
- Preserving Quality of Life
“Central Wisconsin’s future depends on smart, strategic investment in the foundations of our regional prosperity,” Laidlaw said. “We need bold support for workforce housing, modern infrastructure that connects people and opportunity, strong educational partnerships that build our talent pipeline and the continued flexibility of tools like Tax Increment Financing to drive redevelopment and growth. These priorities reflect what our communities need now – and what they’ll need to stay competitive and resilient in the years ahead.”
First-time Central Wisconsin Days attendee Matt Nordlund – project manager at The Boldt Company – said the meetings were “fantastic.”
“(Team 10 with Scott Suder of the Wisconsin Paper Council) was incredibly efficient and addressed all four issue papers,” Nordlund said. “It was well received by everyone we spoke with. I would recommend businesses attend next year – I would definitely speak in front of legislators again and inform their staff about what’s important to local businesses and Wisconsin in general.”
Featured speakers included Laidlaw, Chad Eschler (Findorff) and strategic policy experts Steve Lyons and Mark Austinson from SJL Government Affairs & Communications.
