METRO BRiEFS

Broadband support

County committees approved support for three broadband expansion projects that will signifi cantly aid internet in rural Marathon County

Three new broadband projects would,

if ultimately approved, greatly expand broadband in rural parts of Marathon County.

Th e county’s Executive Committee and Human Resources, Finance and Property committee Th ursday approved support for three projects from Bug Tussel, Cirrinity and Country Wireless. Th ose projects will be submitting for grants from the Public Service Commission.

Of the three, the largest project is from Bug Tussel, a broadband fi rm specializing in rural broadband. As part of the project, Bug Tussel would build more than 200 miles of fi ber in something of a ring around Marathon County, bring broadband to approximately 5,500 households and lay the groundwork for future expansion by them or other companies.

Th e company isn’t asking any money from the county, which has money set aside for broadband projects. Instead, it is asking the county to secure a nearly $20 million loan to build the project, and plans on giving the county interest for its trouble equalling about $1.2 million over the life of the loan in exchange for guaranteeing the debt payments.

Th e two others are smaller projects. Cirrinity would build out the Lake Norrie area, using $62,900 from county money to serve around 100 customers; and Country Wireless would use the remaining money from the county’s funds to build out wireless to two areas: One in southwest Marathon County that would bring broadband to just under 200 homes, and another in the town of Cleveland that would bring broadband to 82 homes.

Th e county also received a proposal from LTD Wireless, but their proposal didn’t fi t the criteria the county’s Broadband Task Force set out, says chair John Robinson.

Th e grant applications are part of the county’s eff orts to bolster broadband internet in the county, something that is severely lacking and has ramifi cations for economic development. A study the county commissioned from consultant Design9 suggested to entirely build out the county internet infrastructure would cost roughly $200 million, Robinson pointed out.

Th e county board will need to approve support for the grant applications at its next education meeting. Grants and letters of support are due to the Public Service Commission by July 27, a shorter timeline than in years past.

Th e county’s approach, supporting internet service providers in applying for grants and then supporting the projects, is similar to how Oneida County built out its infrastructure, as pointed out in a 2018 City Pages feature.

County looking to fi ll vacant board seat

Marathon County is working on fi lling a vacant position after Supervisor E.J. Stark resigned from his seat.

County Board Chair Kurt Gibbs says the county received three applications for the position and county offi cials interviewed candidates on Friday.

Stark resigned in May, and mentioned his last meeting would be the county board meeting May 26. He did not cite a reason for resigning. Th e resignation letter was signed May 24.

Ethiopian refugees could be resettled in Wausau

As many as 75 Ethiopian refugees could be resettled in Wausau, if a proposal to the federal government is ultimately approved.

Offi cials with the Ethiopian Community Development Council submitted a funding proposal to the Department of State to resettle a targeted 75 Ethiopians to Wausau in 2022. Families in the program wouldn’t arrive all at once but at various times throughout 2022, the ECDC says.

Th e application came after consultation with various local offi cials, but the press release didn’t say which offi cials. Th e ECDC says Wausau’s strong network of service providers and welcoming attitude made Wausau a good choice for the program.

As part of the program, if ultimately approved, the ECDC would open an offi ce in Wausau and hire staff , bringing jobs to the area.

Police calls to gazebo increasing

Police say there is an increase in illegal activity at the gazebo at Big Bull Falls park, and they’re planning some measures to address them.

Police calls to the park increased from only three in May to 19 in June. Th ose incidents included a stabbing, and another in which a man with a hatchet hacked at the gazebo itself. Th ere were eight criminal misdemeanors, six welfare checks and four medical emergencies.

Th e gazebo, located just north of Stewart Avenue, has become a frequent hangout for Wausau’s homeless population and Wausau’s homeless liaison offi cer makes frequent visits there.

Th e increase comes as the city deals with a crime increase in June, including six heroin overdoses.

Leah Giordano Ashley Thiem-Menning

New library director could be named in August

Th e Marathon County Library Board could choose a new director by next month.

Th e board will be selecting between current Interim Library Director Leah Giordano and Ashley Th iem-Menning, who is currently the library director in Kaukauna, according to her LinkedIn profi le.

Marathon County’s library board will hold interviews with Giordano and Th iem-Menning on Aug. 2 and make their decision after that.

Th e board needs to replace its library director after Ralph Illick resigned over allegations of a toxic work culture. Th e board on Monday accepted the fi nal report from attorneys Von Briesen and Roper with some edits. City Pages has requested a copy of that report and was told the paper will receive it after the edits are made. Th e Marathon County Library will soon be open at full capacity after its board gave approval Monday.

Th e Marathon County Library had been operating at half capacity after upgrading from 25% capacity. With the board decision, the library can now open up to full.

Th e decision is largely academic, says interim Library Director Leah Giordano. Th e Wausau branch is large enough that it never got close to the limited capacity, and of all the branches, only Rothschild had a few times in which they needed to put up a sign to limit capacity during the 25% period.

Th e library board also voted to start some group activities up, starting with smaller groups. Groups will soon be able to rent meeting and study rooms following recommendations from the Marathon County Health Department.

Wausau Events warn of fake balloon fest scam

Wausau Events is warning residents of a fake balloon fest being hyped on Facebook for October.

Th e event, which claims a balloon rally and rib fest will be held at the Wausau Airport similar to one that used to be held in July, appears to be fake, according to Wausau Events.

A new balloon rally Taste ‘N Glow, which also included a car show and numerous local vendors, was held this year in the town of Stettin. Th e new event came after Wausau Events canceled the regular balloon fest for the second year in a row over COVID-19 concerns.

Wausau Events is planning to hold a Fireworks Family Fest and other events the weekend of Sept. 25. Th at will be held at the Wausau Airport.

City’s metro status saved

A change at the federal level that would have cost Wausau won’t happen, thanks to pushback from local, state and federal lawmakers.

City leaders announced last week that the federal offi ce nixed its proposal to designate smaller metropolitan areas as “micropolitans,” which would have cost 144 smaller cities billions in federal aid and other grants. Wausau’s Community Development Block Grant of around $650,000 per year would have been put in jeopardy, for instance.

Mayor Katie Rosenberg and Community Development Manager Tammy Stratz wrote a letter to the federal Offi ce of Budget Management, which was considering the change, along with other leaders such as Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Th e Wausau City Council and Marathon County Board also sent letters opposing the change.

Th e new designation would have classifi ed any city metro area between 50,000 and 100,000 people as micropolitians. Fond du Lac, Janesville, Oshkosh and Sheboygan also would have been reclassifi ed.

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