LRB-6038/1
CMH:wlj
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
February 16, 2022 - Introduced by Representatives Mursau, Krug, Edming,
Swearingen, Tittl, Moses, Callahan, Tusler, Milroy, Sinicki, Hebl,
Andraca and Snodgrass, cosponsored by Senators Felzkowski, Ballweg,
Jagler, L. Taylor, Ringhand and Cowles. Referred to Committee on Rules.
AJR136,1,4 1Relating to: expressing support from the Wisconsin State Legislature for the grant
2application entitled A Wisconsin Forest Products Cluster: A Catalyst for
3Sustainable, Enduring Transformation to the United States Economic
4Development Administration's Phase 2 Build Back Better Regional Challenge.
AJR136,1,85 Whereas, a diverse, regional coalition representing industry, higher education
6institutions, nonprofit organizations, state and tribal governments, labor unions,
7veterans' organizations, and economic development associations have partnered to
8jointly focus on a sustainable future for Wisconsin's forest products industry; and
AJR136,1,149 Whereas, this 35-county regional cluster, led by the Wisconsin Paper Council,
10represents the interests of employers and workers and has gained significant
11support beyond the core coalition partners. Sector businesses, philanthropic groups,
12regional economic development organizations, veterans' organizations, and state
13and federal elected leaders have all expressed their unwavering support for this
14grant application; and
AJR136,2,3
1Whereas, northern Wisconsin's forest products industry is the largest in the
2nation, providing high-quality jobs to nearly 39,000 workers and contributing $18
3billion to manufacturing output in the state; and
AJR136,2,74 Whereas, with the highest concentration of paper manufacturing in the United
5States, our region is the leading U.S. producer of paper products. Products ranging
6from tissue, to corrugated cardboard, to specialty papers supply national markets
7and result in more than one billion exports to one hundred countries; and
AJR136,2,128 Whereas, the vision presented by this coalition is the transformation of
9Wisconsin's forest products industry. If selected for Phase 2 of the Build Back Better
10Regional Challenge, Wisconsin's forest products industry will be well positioned to
11anticipate, meet, exceed, and drive the demands of its 21st-century customers, who
12are seeking sustainable and high-performance product; and
AJR136,2,1613 Whereas, if selected as a finalist for Phase 2 of the Build Back Better Regional
14Challenge, Wisconsin's forest products industry will use the moneys to create a
15resilient and thriving rural economy in Wisconsin that is underpinned by
16sustainable forest management for our entire state; now, therefore, be it
AJR136,2,21 17Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the
18Wisconsin State Legislature assembled respectfully support an award of a Phase 2
19Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant to the Wisconsin Paper Council–led
20regional cluster, in order to sustain and grow our great state's forest products
21industry for generations to come; and, be it further
AJR136,3,4 22Resolved, That a copy of this joint resolution be forwarded to the Honorable
23Gina Raimondo, United States Department of Commerce Secretary, the Honorable
24Alejandra Y. Castillo, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic
25Development—United States Economic Development Administration, the

1Wisconsin Paper Council, Menominee Tribal Enterprises, the Mid-State Technical
2College, the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, the Great Lakes Timber
3Professionals Association, the Sustainable Resource Institute, and the Wisconsin
4Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division.
AJR136,3,55 (End)
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