ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) – Local organizations tied to tourism are voicing support for plans to replace the aging Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena with a new expo hall.
During a Thursday morning press conference, leaders from the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Green Bay Area Lodging Association, and Wisconsin Restaurant Association’s Green Bay chapter announced each of their organization’s boards have approved resolutions of support.
Visitors Bureau President/CEO Brad Toll says the proposed arena would allow them to attract more conventions.
“Most big trade shows require at least 100,000 square feet.”
Toll believes the new arena could help Brown County attract events that currently only make Wisconsin stops in Milwaukee or Madison.
He also expects the revenue it brings to the community could not only keep businesses from leaving, but intrigue some of those that have left. Toll says he has already discussed the proposal with some of those companies.
“Many have been very excited about the potential of being able to come back to Green Bay with their business.”
Toll does not believe the implementation of a .5% sales tax will have a negative affect on Brown County tourism since most other Badger State counties already have the same.
Lodging Association Board Chairman Ron Zellars shares Toll’s stance.
“The room tax does not go up. It just creates all this additional opportunity as far as growth in the area and visitors coming to the area.”
The man who has proposed the arena plan was on hand Thursday.
County Executive Troy Streckenbach feels “what today represents is the confidence from the tourism industry that if we build it, they will come, and that they’re supportive.
The county board is expected to discuss Streckenbach’s proposal Monday.
