Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday 12/30/21
30 December 2021 News
Multimillion Bond Issue For Broadband Expansion Project
A $70 million bond issue will fund construction of broadband infrastructure in Calumet, Fond du Lac, Jackson, Waushara and Marathon counties for Bug Tussel 1LLC, a subsidiary of Hilbert Communications LLC. Proceeds from the sale on the bonds will fund the deployment of several hundred miles of new fiber optic cable and construction of over 50 communications towers. Once complete, Bug Tussel’s project will enhance accessibility to and the performance of high-speed internet and wireless communications for residents, businesses, schools and local government agencies located in participating counties. Fond du Lac County served as the issuing county. Husch Blackwell served as bond and borrower’s counsel to Bug Tussel.
A Second Year Of Challenges From The Pandemic
The second year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic spawned some advancement and a few new challenges. Jeff Puhlmann-Becker of the Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force says the Delta variant became the dominant variant of the virus and vaccines became widely available. Vaccines became available to those as young as 5 years old and booster shots provided even more protection. Two drug makers came up with pills to treat the virus in the early onset of it. Then about 5 weeks ago the Omnicron variant quickly became the dominant variant of the virus. But Puhlmann-Becker says one thing remained the same, the vaccines and wearing of masks continues to be the most effective way of warding off the virus.
Investing In Ripon
Envision Greater Fond du Lac President and CEO Sadie Parafiniuk says they have a pretty good record of providing loans over the years to businesses in Ripon for expansion. She says if you include the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation which merged with the Fond du Lac Chamber to become Envision they have provided millions of dollars in loans to businesses in Ripon,$10.4 million to be exact to 13 businesses. She says that in turn has helped leverage $302 million in private investment. She adds that the amount of private investment that has been happening in Ripon in the last couple of decades has been incredible.
FDL County Year
Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says despite another year of dealing the COVID-19 pandemic it was a pretty good year for the county. He says the county’s sale tax revenues continued to increase, which isn’t the way you think it would be affected by the virus. Buechel says maintaining the county’s workforce was difficult as it has been for every business in the country. On the other hand some of the positives for the county were the $2.4 million upgrade to the public safety software used across the county, the expansion of Highway 23 east of Fond du Lac, and financing for broadband expansion within the county.
New Executive Director For ADVOCAP
ADVOCAP’s Board of Directors recently selected Tanya Marcoe as the organization’s Executive Director. She succeeded Michael Bonertz assuming his responsibilities on December 20th. Bonertz retired after 47 years of service to ADVOCAP. Marcoe spent 4.5 years with a Milwaukee Certified Public Accountant firm after becoming a CPA. She then put her career on hold to raise her five children. In 2008 she joined ADVOCAP as its Finance Director. ADVOCAP Board President Connie Anderson says, “We have all the confidence in her leadership and community outreach along with her dedication to ADVOCAP’s mission and values.” Tanya, and her husband Jody, reside in the Village of Oakfield.
Ripon Main Street Festive Lighting Project
Ripon Main Street Executive Director Craig Tebon says a festive lighting project in the 200 and 300 blocks of Watson Street is nearly complete. Business and property owners partnered with the Main Street program this summer to create a more festive atmosphere in the historic district with the festive lightings above Watson Street. The total cost to install the LED lighting system is anticipated to amount to approximately $15,000. The new LED energy efficient lights will illuminate the district throughout the year. Tebon says they have reached 50 percent of their fund raising goal. Donations can be made online through GoFundMe, or sent directly to Ripon Main Street, Inc. Those who have questions or need additional information should contact the Ripon Main Street office at 920-748-7466.
Fundraiser by Craig Tebon : Downtown Ripon Festive Lighting Project (gofundme.com)
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