Kleefisch, Hall visit economically struggling Iron County

HURLEY - Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and Reed Hall, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Economic Development, stopped in Hurley Tuesday morning to discuss Iron County's struggling economy.

Kleefisch and Hall started with a tour of Highline Corporation in Hurley and followed with a tour of Northwoods Manufacturing, a student-ran company in the Hurley K-12 School.

Iron County's unemployment rate is the second worst in the state, at 13.3 percent, or twice the national average.

After the tours were completed, Kleefisch and Hall sat down with business owners, community leaders and residents to discuss different ways Iron County can improve in economic development.

"We want your input on how we can better help you," Kleefisch said.

Some citizens specifically highlighted different things to promote tourism in the area. Bob Walesewicz, a local business owner, commented on the Wisconsin Information Center located along U.S. 51 in Hurley.

The building, currently housing a Department of Transportation office, was formerly a rest stop for travelers, filled with information on Iron County. Walesewicz asked if the center could be reopened to help promote Iron County and Wisconsin.

"With having the detour from the construction project along U.S. 2, we are going to have a lot of people driving right by that building, with some stopping for information," Walesewicz said. "While the DOT employees are very nice and try to direct people to the chamber office downtown, many of these people stopping have campers and trailers and can't get downtown."

Dorrene O'Donnell, executive director of the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce, said she has placed maps and informational documents in the building to help travelers.

"Dorrene's actions helped a lot, but I want to take it one step further, and see that building reopened," Walesewicz said.

Other questions involved preparing the county for economic development, including receiving help at the state level.

According to Kleefisch, Wisconsin has manufacturing and tax credits, which "drive Wisconsin's economy," and the state also promotes businesses relocating from neighboring states.

"Sometimes moving 10 miles down the road can make all the difference," Kleefisch said.

Hurley School district Administrator Chris Patritto spoke on how state aid to schools also affects the community. Patritto said the state aid formula has both "winners and losers.

"Speaking on behalf of many northern Wisconsin schools, we are the real losers in state aid," Patritto said.

Property taxes affect the school's lack of ability to conduct a referendum.

"When we raise taxes, people think we're spending more money, but that is not the case," Patritto said.

Kleefisch said people across the state are "driven crazy" by property taxes, and Wisconsin ranks 10th in tax burden nationwide.

However, a counter balance is Wisconsin's wage growth, ranking seventh in the U.S. Kleefisch praised Northwoods Manufacturing for "bridging the gap" for skill trade jobs and training.

"Historically, Wisconsin is a manufacturing and agriculture state, but it is also our future," Kleefisch said. "Here, you have uniquely prepared your students for that future."

Mara MacKay, a parent of two Hurley students, commented how Hurley is preparing its students for the future. MacKay said she and her two children moved from Kalamazoo to Hurley and she recently asked her children how they liked the school.

"They said, 'We get a better education here,'" MacKay said. "They said that. Not me. Coming from a 12- and 13-year old, it speaks volumes about what they do here."

Other topics discussed included forestry and railroads.

Kleefisch and Hall both spoke on a variety of programs at the state level to help local businesses or communities prepare for businesses.

"Our goal is to be more helpful to you, and that is what this is about," Kleefisch said.