Rep. Kurtz Statement on UW-System Announcement

Contact: Rep. Tony Kurtz
rep.kurtz@legis.wi.gov

Rep. Kurtz Statement on UW-System Announcement

MADISON – Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) released the following statement after the UW-System announced it would be leaving UW-Platteville Richland entirely, as well as ceasing in-person instruction at two additional campuses in Washington and Fond du Lac Counties.

“Nearly one year ago, the UW-System notified the Richland Center community they were going to close the UW-Platteville Richland campus to in-person instruction due to declining enrollment. Today, they announced they’re leaving the community entirely, and putting two additional communities in the same terrible situation.

“Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and I recently introduced LRB-3403, which would provide $6 million for Campus Community Transition Grants to be awarded to a county that has a two-year branch campus closed to in-person instruction, with a maximum amount of $2 million per county. At UW-Platteville Richland all of the buildings are owned by the county. This is the case at most, if not all, of the two-year campuses across the state. Richland County has been working tirelessly to determine what the county will do with the buildings.

“LRB-3403 directs the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to award Campus Community Transition Grants. These grants will help a county plan and redevelop underutilized campus buildings in the event of a campus closure. The money may be used for economic development, housing, and other redevelopment opportunities.

“This bill is going to be critically important to several counties who have invested millions in these 2 year campuses as the UW-System decides what to do with the remaining campuses. I’m committed to working with my colleagues who represent these areas to make sure that we can help fill the gap left by these institutions leaving our communities.”

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