A new public, non-profit corporation has been created with an initial focus of helping decide the fate of the University of Wisconsin Green Bay campus in Marinette.
The Association for Community and Culture LTD was established in 2024 and held its first public meeting recently.
UWGB announced in 2024 that it was suspending in-person classes at the campus due to declining enrollment. At the time of the announcement, UWGB officials said they understood the value of the campus, in particular the Herb Williams Theater, brought to the community.
Marinette County owns the buildings on UW-Green Bay’s Marinette campus and has leased it to UWGB since 1967. The lease is supposed to end in 2042, but can be terminated on June 30 of any year if “appropriations by the legislature are insufficient to permit the continued operation of the university” or “state legislation concerning higher education in Wisconsin involves a fundamental change in the university’s branch campus program.”
At the ACC Jan. 15 meeting, Marinette County Administrator John Lefebvre spoke about the decision deadlines the county faces to address the lease with UWGB, as well as possible $2 million grants available for renovation or revamping plans.
“Having over 80 people attend our first Association for Culture and Community meeting highlights the shared passion and interest in shaping our community’s future,” said Wendy Dzurick, ACC president. “There seems to be genuine interest in citizen collaboration and partnership with local governments as we shape our future.”
In addition to Dzurick, the ACC Directors include Trygve Rhude, Kurt Hellermann, Amy Schwaba, and Paula Gruszynski.
Involvement in the ACC is open to anyone in Menominee and Marinette counties who is interested in having a voice and a place at the table as local governments plan for the future, particularly those
projects and plans that have a community, cultural, and historic impact. Friends of the ACC do not pay dues.
For more information about the ACC or to sign up as an ACC friend, visit https://sites.google.com/view/accltd/home or send an email to contact.acc.ltd@gmail.com
