Sen. Baldwin's support has helped the Friends launch into a new year filled with fundraising momentum to help the Woodman's Center become a reality for Rock County.
On Jan. 25, 2023, Angela Pakes, President & CEO of Forward Janesville, sent a letter of thanks to U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) for her contributions in rallying a $5 million earmark via the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Pakes leads private sector economic and community development efforts to ensure business and industry's continued health and prosperity in Janesville and Rock County. She is also a Friends of Woodman's Center Leadership Group member.
Dear Senator Baldwin:
On behalf of Forward Janesville's 500-plus Member companies and the thousands they employ, I am writing to thank you for your efforts to secure $5 million for the Woodman's Sports and Convention Center project in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
This support represents a vital piece of this project's funding makeup, which will revitalize and transform the Uptown Janesville mall area and the Milton Avenue corridor. At nearly 130,000 square feet, the Woodman's Center is set to become Rock County's most significant economic development and gathering space for athletics, special events, conventions, and trade shows.
Supported by public and private partnerships, this one-of-a-kind destination will improve community health and resilience, enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages, and create and ensure a high-impact participant experience.
Establishing Janesville as an event and tourism hub across the Midwest, the Woodman's Center is estimated to create 228 full-time equivalent jobs and create an annual economic impact of $23 million, in addition to a one-time construction impact of nearly $75 million.
We sincerely appreciate your support for this transformative project and thank you for your service to the citizens of Wisconsin.
President & CEO
Forward Janesville
Together We Can
News of the $5M award arrived just weeks before the Friends of Woodman's Center's "Together We Can" private donor campaign. The historic fundraising initiative launched in early 2023 and aims to identify 100 community donors to pledge $10,000 each and collectively raise $1 million in support between Feb. 1 and Mar. 22, 2023.
To pledge your gift, become a Woodman's Center sponsor, or learn more, contact us at friends@woodmanscenter.com or 608-314-2616.
Would you like to thank Senator Baldwin?
If you would like to contact Sen. Baldwin to express your gratitude for her work in securing critical funding in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 for the Woodman's Center project, we encourage you to submit comments using the web form on her website.