Madison, Wis. – The City of Superior’s state legislators re-introduced a bill today to allow for the creation of a local Exposition District to spur economic development. Superior residents, school officials, business owners, elected officials, labor representatives, community leaders, and hospitality providers have been asking for nearly a decade for this bill, which would give Superior the ability to create an arena and convention center funded by a room tax of no more than two percent, subject to approval through a new referendum. A 2016 referendum passed with over 75% of the voters supporting this initiative. Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (R-Cameron) and Representative Angie Sapik (R-Lake Nebagamon) are making the case again today.
“Time and again the people of Superior have made the case that Madison needs to give them the tools to succeed,” said Sen. Quinn. “We are tired of seeing the tens of millions of dollars invested in the Twin Ports go mainly to the other side of the bridge. We haven’t been giving Superior the resources it needs to compete. There is a lot of untapped potential here and we need to let one of the North’s most important cities do what it can to attract visitors, conventions, and large events.”
“This is a time where Superior is exceeding expectations,” added Rep. Sapik. “From the new smartphone app to the tourism campaign Gotta Be Superior, we are putting ourselves on the map. This is a great city and the elected officials in this area are working hard to make it even better. The Expo District is going to be an enormous addition to the betterment of our city, and I believe this time around, we can clear the hurdles.”
Under the bill, the City of Superior may choose to create a local exposition district, which will have its own governing board responsible for establishing and operating an exposition center. The center is to be used for the promotion of tourism, including conventions, expositions, trade shows, musical or dramatic events, or other educational, commercial, cultural, or sporting activities. It will be funded by a room tax of up to 2% with total bonds not to exceed $20,300,000, and will be dissolved once the bonds are paid and all contractual obligations are met. City residents must approve the plan through a new referendum for any of it to take place.
Similar bills have received bipartisan support from both houses of the Legislature and the Governor. Senator Quinn and Representative Sapik have sent this bill to all Wisconsin Legislators, asking for them to add their name in support by Friday, June 16th.