Discover Green Bay held a ribbon-cutting event at its new visitor center on Argonne Street in Ashwaubenon, September 13, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Nearly a decade in the making, Discover Green Bay finally has a permanent home. The organization holding a ceremonial ribbon cutting on its new Visitor Center Wednesday morning.
The almost $9 million dollar facility dubbed the front door to the community, will not only welcome visitors but community members alike.
“We welcome six million visitors, every single year, to the region and we’ve never had a place to talk to them before. So, having a place where we can say this is where you can go and explore, these are the things to do, this is where you can spend your money, these are the restaurants – is going to be really special for the community,” said Nick Meisner with Discover Green Bay.
The Visitor Center comes as the region is hitting its stride when it comes to tourism.
Not only did U.S. News & World Report name Green Bay the best place to live in the country, but the NFL announced Titletown will host the 2025 draft.
“This facility, and the knowledgeable staff will be ready to welcome them year round and to make sure they keep coming back spending their dollars here, supporting the local workforce, supporting the local economy, and helping ensure Green Bay remains a Wisconsin destination for years to come,” said Paul Hammer, deputy secretary with the WI Department of Administration.
Statewide, tourism is a $17.3 billion industry, supporting 150,000 jobs.
Locally, Brown County is number five out of the 72 counties in the state, when it comes to tourism spending — as it touts a $1.3billion impact, every year.
The Packers, Oneida Casino, and Green Bay area restaurants are the top three attractions.
To those entities, helping to invest in this facility, for the betterment of the community was a no-brainer.
Oneida Chairman Tehassi Hill said, “We have the entertainment for the gaming and also the museum and also the apple orchard and our culture park so we’re continuing to expand on other avenues for families to come and visit and learn a little bit about Oneida and this is a great kicking off point here at the visitor center.”
Situated along one of the main thoroughfares to Lambeau Field, the Visitor Center will offer tourists and locals information on things to do and see in the region — a more in-depth explanation and education on the region, of things outside of football. The hope is to bring repeat visitors back, while introducing new people to the region too.
According to Brad Toll with Discover Green Bay, “The idea is to extend their stay, keep them here longer, to get them to spend in more places around our community. Maybe they’ll go up to Suamico to the zoo, and do other things and then if they’re not able to do that, encourage another visit. It’s going to serve the community well and our goal, of course, is to expand that spend and increase the economic impact that comes from visitors.”
And maybe after visiting the region, some will want to stay, and Discover Green Bay is okay with that too as they work with the Chamber and The New North to recruit talent to the region as well.
Comments