In February 2024, the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) rejected the City of Ashland’s request for $1 million from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for a new boat launch, reported Danielle Kaeding of Wisconsin Public Radio.
JFC Co-Chair Rep. Mark Born compared Ashland’s request to a similar request from Oconomowoc, noting that Oconomowoc had raised funds in addition to Knowles-Nelson funding to support their project and that Ashland’s project does not have the same level of local buy-in. Ashland Mayor Matt MacKenzie rebuked this comparison, noting that Oconomowoc is one of the wealthiest areas in the state, with resources that Ashland does not have.
A new boat launch that could handle larger watercraft would provide additional access to Lake Superior.
“We get a lot of visitors that come over here from Minnesota and Michigan that are looking to launch their watercraft and end up having to go someplace other than here because we don’t have a facility,” said MacKenzie.
Instead, Mackenzie highlighted the JFC’s approval of $1.1 million in funding for Saxon Harbor in Iron County to repair boat ramps, docks, and other facilities destroyed by the July 2016 flood. Initially, JFC approved both Ashland’s and Iron County’s projects at a lower funding level, but both projects sought additional funding due to cost increases. Iron County’s project ran into construction delays and unexpected repairs that drove up expenses, and Ashland’s project required additional steps to be taken regarding the site’s cleanup, per the Environmental Protection Agency. The JFC ultimately approved the request for Saxon Harbor but denied funding for Ashland.
The City will continue looking for additional funding to support a new boat launch, but Mayor MacKenzie noted steep competition for grants considering the City’s size and available resources.
“It’s not that we’re just looking for a free handout. We’re looking for a hand-up,” MacKenzie said. “And we really feel strongly that it benefits the whole state.”
Featured image by Katie Wheeler, 2017.
