Will high-end golf courses help Wisconsin's poor economy?
In the battle by the Kohler Co. to build another of its fancy golf courses - - this one along the shores of Lake Michigan in the Town of Wilson south of Sheboygan,
it's noteworthy that local opponents, making progress playing David to the region's Goliath, are also standing their advertising ground (page nine, zoom in) ahead of important, April 7th local town board elections.
The fight over the golf course is certainly a local issue led by local citizens, and has generated some statewide environmental concern because the site is in a forested, wetlands-rich 247-acre nature preserve right at Lake Michigan (see above) and an adjoining state park.
The current plan has the golf course, clubhouse and parking lot sharing a narrow access road to the state park.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which operates the park, has a team working with the developer to move the project along, though no construction permits have been filed with the DNR or the US Army Corps of Engineers.
But environmental issues aside, the proposal has a broader political context because another developer wants a financial boost - - Tax Incremental Financing dollars - - from the state for a big golfing project in Adams County.
Given the existing high-end golf courses already here, Is growth in that market a sure bet, given golf's overall decline nationally, not to mention the state's stagnant job-creation and low-wage economy?
Are more high-end golf courses sited with the blessing of the state to principally serve upscale users a smart approach to improving Wisconsin's mediocre economy?
Note also that the key figure in the Adams County golf development is a Walker/GOP donor - - as is Herb Kohler, Jr. - - so the issues are definitely wrapped up in special-interest politics.
it's noteworthy that local opponents, making progress playing David to the region's Goliath, are also standing their advertising ground (page nine, zoom in) ahead of important, April 7th local town board elections.
The fight over the golf course is certainly a local issue led by local citizens, and has generated some statewide environmental concern because the site is in a forested, wetlands-rich 247-acre nature preserve right at Lake Michigan (see above) and an adjoining state park.
The current plan has the golf course, clubhouse and parking lot sharing a narrow access road to the state park.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which operates the park, has a team working with the developer to move the project along, though no construction permits have been filed with the DNR or the US Army Corps of Engineers.
But environmental issues aside, the proposal has a broader political context because another developer wants a financial boost - - Tax Incremental Financing dollars - - from the state for a big golfing project in Adams County.
Given the existing high-end golf courses already here, Is growth in that market a sure bet, given golf's overall decline nationally, not to mention the state's stagnant job-creation and low-wage economy?
Are more high-end golf courses sited with the blessing of the state to principally serve upscale users a smart approach to improving Wisconsin's mediocre economy?
Note also that the key figure in the Adams County golf development is a Walker/GOP donor - - as is Herb Kohler, Jr. - - so the issues are definitely wrapped up in special-interest politics.
1 comment:
"Will high-end golf courses help Wisconsin's poor economy? ... Are more high-end golf courses sited with the blessing of the state to principally serve upscale users a smart approach to improving Wisconsin's mediocre economy?"
Neither version of this question is really THE question.
THE question is, "Will the would-be golf course owners give Scott Walker's campaign enough moolah to earn state approval — as certain would-be casino owners did not?"
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