By City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A Wisconsin Rapids development project is attracting prestigious advisors.

Leaders of the Tribune building redevelopment have announced another milestone for the project, with the appointment of the Tribune Steering Committee. The newly formed committee is comprised of national, regional, and local leaders across the diverse industries that are advising in the redevelopment of the Tribune building. Committee members include O’so Brewing founder and owner Marc Buttera; Incourage board member Kristie Rauter-Egge; Alicia Cramer, senior vice president of U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities; UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Bernie Patterson; Janet Topolsky, the executive director of the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group; and Dr. Susan Turney, CEO of Marshfield Clinic Health System.

The steering committee will guide strategy and lead the advocacy and outreach necessary to develop and realize the project. The committee is expected to convene for the first time this fall. A forthcoming “Resident Advisory Committee” of local advisers representing multiple perspectives and experiences will work in tandem with the Steering Committee to “ensure the community’s ongoing participation in Tribune’s success.”

The Tribune is a community-led, public-private partnership that will transform a 25,000 square-foot historic landmark along the Wisconsin River in downtown Wisconsin Rapids. When completed, the Tribune will serve the region as a hub for entrepreneurship, workforce development, innovation, community engagement, and commercial activity. The new state budget approved in July includes a $3 million grant to support the project.