Governor Doyle Awards Bayfield with Wisconsin Waterfront Initiative Grant

For Immediate Release: August 12, 2008
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661

BAYFIELD - Governor Jim Doyle today awarded the City of Bayfield with a $25,000 Wisconsin Waterfront Initiative grant. On behalf of the Governor, Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Aaron Olver joined Bayfield Mayor Larry MacDonald in announcing the grant at a press conference in Bayfield on August 12 during Governor Doyle's Northern Tour.

"Wisconsin's rivers, lakes and streams are among our greatest assets. Revitalizing our waterfronts helps build strong local economies by attracting new business, raising land values and drawing local citizens and tourists to a community," Governor Doyle said. "The Wisconsin Waterfront Initiative is helping communities protect and develop their waterfronts so they can be enjoyed by all for many years to come."

The city will develop a plan to spur the redevelopment of its downtown and lakefront area, as well as address needed infrastructure work to create continuity between existing downtown businesses and lakefront land use. The plan will address lakefront public access points, community gathering areas and parking infrastructure. The city will also develop a strategic plan to expand year round tourism opportunities.

In August 2007, Governor Doyle announced the Wisconsin Waterfront Initiative to help communities plan and develop initiatives that maximized the development potential of their waterfronts.

For more information on the Wisconsin Waterfront Initiative, visit http://commerce.wi.gov/cd/cd-wwi-home.html.

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