Forward Janesville - TheReport - First Quarter 2024

www.forwardjanesville.com | 11 “This project is not just about constructing a building; it's about creating a legacy of collaboration, innovation, and community pride.” uww.edu/rock YOU EARNED THOSE CREDITS. WE COUNT THEM. continue your journey: BAAS degree completion program largest community events the Friends held was in April 2023, when more than 1,500 individuals stopped by the Woodman’s Center Community Day event in the former Sears building. While enjoying activities to mimic what an activated Woodman’s Center would feel like, attendees could also talk in real-time with project organizers to learn more and provide community feedback. That feedback was used to continue conversations with project supporters, including Gov. Tony Evers. Both Gov. Tony Evers and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin attended and spoke at the groundbreaking event in February. “This project will help transform this area of the city and help one of our state’s fastest- growing communities to thrive going forward,” Evers said during the groundbreaking event. The Woodman’s Center will “bolster local tourism and have a positive effect that will be felt across the state. I’m happy our administration could be a partner in supporting this innovative project.” What’s Ahead The greatest economic impact from travel and tourism comes from overnight visitors, and the best way to increase overnight visitors outside of weekends and holidays is through business travel. Research led by the UW-Whitewater Fiscal and Economic Research Center shows the center would create an annual economic impact of $23 million and a one-time construction impact of nearly $75 million. Bringing meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events, and expos to Janesville doesn’t happen by chance. The team at the JACVB, led by Christine Rebout, has been instrumental in spearheading the private side of the project since 2019. In addition to funding early stages of the design and feasibility study processes, the JACVB has committed to providing 10% of room tax revenue over five years for facility sales and marketing, worth an estimated $75,000-$100,000 per year, renewable for another five years. The JACVB also committed approximately $100,000 in annual in-kind support and is expanding their own staff to meet demand. To support the Woodman’s Center and sporting events across northern Rock County, the JACVB is hiring a Director of Sports Sales. Sporting events, meetings, conventions and other group business often book out several years in advance, which is why the JACVB team has already started marketing and researching possible clients more than a year before the center is open. Business community members can drive group business to the Woodman’s Center through an initiative called “Bring Your Meeting Home.” If business leaders attend conferences, trade shows, expos, or other meetings that could be hosted in Janesville, Rebout’s message is contact the JACVB. “As we look toward the completion of the Woodman’s Center, it's clear that the journey reflects Janesville's resilience and commitment to community enhancement,” said Rebout. “This project is not just about constructing a building; it's about creating a legacy of collaboration, innovation, and community pride.”