MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – After a successful NFL Draft in Green Bay, Governor Tony Evers announced on Wednesday that his administration is providing nearly $2 million in grants to cover some of the costs.
The $1.8 million grant was funded through the Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund. According to the release from Gov. Evers, the money will help Green Bay, Ashwaubenon, and Brown County cover the security and public safety expenses associated with the Draft.
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Gov. Evers cited the event’s huge success in Green Bay as a reason for the grant, while complimenting the Packers and community on their handling of the week.
“It was critically important to me that Green Bay and our local partners received the support they needed to cover public safety costs, and I’m glad we were able to get this done,” Gov. Evers said in the release. “For three days, Wisconsin had the national spotlight, showcasing all we have to offer.”
The Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund was a proposal in the 2023-25 Biennial Budget, which Gov. Evers finalized with a $10 million investment to be distributed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
Mayor Genrich expressed his gratitude through the release to Gov. Evers and the WEDC for their support, while citing the impact the NFL Draft provided the community and state.
“This was a historic event that brought enormous economic benefits to our community and the entire state of Wisconsin,” Mayor Genrich said in the release. “The allocation of this funding recognizes that positive statewide economic effect and protects our local taxpayers from bearing the costs—a win-win for residents.”
WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes concurred, highlighting how Green Bay showed the potential that Wisconsin as a whole has to show up on a national stage for major events.
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“We have the facilities to host major events, the people needed to prepare for and staff the event, and the community to rally behind such a large undertaking,” Hughes said. “Green Bay rose to the occasion and did a phenomenal job.”
Early estimates projected a $94 million impact on statewide economic activity, according to the release, with about $20 million to the Green Bay area alone.
