Green Bay, WIS – Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach along with members of the Brown County Board of Supervisors presented Experience Green Bay with a $650,000 grant in support of the visitor center that will be located on Lombardi Access Road across from Cabela's.
"The Discover Green Bay Visitor Center is a project that will benefit our entire region," said Troy Streckenbach, Brown County Executive. "The county is excited to support this project with ARPA dollars identified for tourism. This project will positively impact, not only visitor experience, but will be a critical tool for recruitment and relocation of talented individuals and families to Brown County."
Construction activities have begun on the site near the Lombardi exit of highway 41. A major milestone for many in the community who have been working to make this project a reality for many years.
"After years of working toward this day, it's exciting to finally see a construction trailer and equipment arrive to the site. I'm extremely proud to have been a part of this project," said Ron Antonneau, Brown County Board member and Education & Recreation Committee member. "Discover Green Bay has a proud history of promoting the region as a top-tier tourist and event destination. It's been a long journey to get to this point, but I'm confident that this new facility will help the organization improve the tourism industry even more."
Discover Green Bay, the region's official Destination Marketing organization, says communities with a robust and modern visitors center experience increased visitor spending, a longer length of stay, and more return visits. In 2021 tourism to Brown County had a total economic impact of more than $1 billion from the more than 6 million visitors to the region.
"We know that tourism is key to the economic health of any community," said Patrick Buckley, Brown County Board Chair. "The Discover Green Bay Visitors Center will take our already robust tourism economy and improve it. The facility will allow visitors to learn about places like the NEW Zoo, concerts and events at the Resch Complex, and the ability to host events and conferences at the KI Convention Center."
In addition to the visitors center, the new facility will house the Discover Green Bay offices, community educational spaces, a board room and more.
"We're so thankful to the Brown County Executive and the Brown County Board for the grant that we received today," said Brad Toll, President and CEO of Disover Green Bay. "This project is a community effort – and the support of the County is critical to it's success. We're thrilled that the County Executive and all of the County Board Members are along side us in our vision to make Brown County a top tourism destination in the country – and this facility is a large step toward that goal."
The Discover Green Bay Visitor Center is expected to be completed in late summer of 2023.