Eau Claire Hosts Governor Evers on Tourism Funding in Budget

Eau Claire hosted Governor Tony Evers at the Wisconsin Logging Museum on Monday as he promotes investment in tourism in his proposed state budget.

In a press release ahead of the Eau Claire visit, Governor Evers highlighted $25 billion in total economic impact from the tourism industry in 2023. The total showed an increase of 5.4 percent over the record-breaking 2022 number. All 72 individual counties in the state also saw an increase in economic impact from tourism. The economic impact data for 2024 is expected to be announced next month.

“We’re really proud to promote all that Wisconsin has to offer,” said Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers. “Last year when we broke that record of $25 billion, we also saw growth in every single county across Wisconsin. All 72 counties grew in their tourism revenue and we want to keep doing that as we move forward.”

Following the success of the tourism industry in recent years, Governor Evers is seeking a nearly $34 million investment for the Department of Tourism in his proposed state budget. The additional funding would lead to the creation of several new staff positions, grant programs, and incentives for production companies to film in the state.

“That money is not money that stays in Madison certainly,” Governor Evers said on tourism investments in recent years. “They are doing work all across the state and in the region. We want people to come from out of state here. And so it’s a good investment in all sorts of things, especially outdoor education.”

Green Bay also recently hosted the 2025 NFL Draft, which tourism officials expect could have added $96 million in tourism revenue across the state.