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Funding For Eau Claire Performance Arts Center Restored By Budget Committee

$15M Would Now Come From Building Commission Bonding

By
Courtesy of Wisconsin Public Television

State funding for a proposed performing arts center in Eau Claire is back on the table after Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee reversed course and added $15 million for it in the state budget.

The $15 million grant for the Confluence Project is an about-face for committee Republicans who stripped a similar offering from the state budget earlier this month. The main difference between the grants is this latest funding will be in the form of bonding through the state’s Building Commission.

Republican Rep. Warren Petryk, whose district includes part of Eau Claire, said it’s a win for the region.

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“This has been an ongoing project and a huge collaboration between private partners, the state, the university. It replaces a theater in the Eau Claire area and will be a jewel to the area,” said Petryk.

The Building Commission funding is contingent on Confluence Project supporters being able to raise enough money to match the grant.