MOSINEE, WI (WSAU) — Mosinee Mayor Brent Jacobson says it appears that all of his city’s downtown businesses have come through the COVID0-19 pandemic intact.
But now many of them need workers.
“Now you can drive around Central Wisconsin and see ‘Now Hiring’ signs all over the place,” said Jacobson. “Just out of curiosity, I went on the jobs center site for Wisconsin just [the other day] and narrowed it down to Marathon County. [I found] in different sectors and industries there are literally hundreds of jobs posted just on that website.”
The issue is something you hear leaders across the state bring up quite often these days. Jacobson knows it’s not unique to his city. The situation has also caught the attention of those in Madison, where Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would end the added $300 per week unemployment benefit that was added over one year ago at the start of the pandemic.
Jacobson is among those who think that the boost has outlived its usefulness, creating a situation where residents can make more money staying home than re-entering the workforce.
“I think it’s time; those benefits have run their course. Unfortunately for some, I think it may be encouraging them, depending on what industry or sector they are in, to stay home instead of actively go out and job search.”
It remains unclear if the GOP-authored bill to end the boost will make it to Governor Evers’ desk, and even if it does it’s likely to meet his veto pen.
Not only have nearly all downtown businesses managed to make it through the pandemic, but Jacobson also notes that the city is still planning some growth. That includes a new downtown hotel which could be open for guests by the end of 2022.
Investors have until the end of August to close on the city-owned parcel of land for the hotel. Plans currently call for the property to be operated under the Cobblestone Hotels and Suites brand, which also operates properties in Merrill and Stevens Point. The brand is also planning new locations in other small-to-mid-size midwestern markets such as Little Chute, Platteville, and International Falls, MN.
Other topics Jacobson discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- How businesses in Mosinee came through the pandemic and need for workers in his city
6:00- What he’s watching when it comes to the state budget
11:14- What the proposed state tax cut could mean for families and businesses
12:50- Updates being made at CWA
14:00- Update on Cobblestone Hotel project
16:00- What’s the coolest thing in your office?
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