EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- Gov. Scott Walker says he wants to make sure there's a plan to make the Confluence Project performing arts center a success as he looks at whether to include funding for it in the state budget.
Walker made the comments Wednesday in Eau Claire during an appearance at Hartland Aviation to discuss property tax relief. When asked if he would include the full $25,000,000, he told reporters that he'd met "a number of times" with people involved with the project, and that they've examined whether that number is "the right one, or something similar to that."
"We want to make sure that, whatever investment the state makes, is that it's one that's matched by by support, not only from local government, but from private supporters and donors and investors, and that there's a viable plan that makes sure of its operational going forward," Walker said.
"You don't want to just build something and not have it be successful. So, we're going to continue to work with folks involved. You know, there's no 'one interest.' There's kind of a number of different people involved with it."
Walker had said previously that a non state agency grant was the best way to go about requesting the funding. Wallace Rodgers applied for the grant. He said he's glad Governor Walker has shown interest in the project. Rogers also said he thinks it will be a couple of months before he finds out whether the grant will be approved, and if so, how much it would be.