What: Governor Tony Evers, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, DNR Secretary Preston Cole, WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, and state and local leaders will host a virtual listening session on the future of Wisconsin’s forest products industry.
When: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 11
Where: Registration is open to the media as well as the public here: https://wedc.org/rural-
About the listening session: In collaboration with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Council on Forestry will host two virtual listening sessions to gather ideas and input from the forest products industry, conservationists, recreation enthusiasts and residents.
The feedback gathered will allow the state to set new goals for diversifying Wisconsin’s more than $24 billion forest products industry and for sustainably managing the state’s more than 17 million acres of forests. Creating that plan will allow Wisconsin to seek federal money and assistance for a key industry that provides more than 63,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the state.
The session will open with comments from Governor Evers, Sen. Baldwin, Secretary Cole, Secretary Hughes, and Tom Hittle, the chair of the Council on Forestry. Participants will then break into smaller groups for further discussion and idea-sharing.
This is the second of two listening sessions; the first was held May 6.
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About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org or follow WEDC on Twitter @WEDCNews to learn more.
