For the City Times

CENTRAL WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters baseball organization and Rogers Cinema, based in Marshfield, will receive funding through state tourism and entertainment recovery grants.

More than $14 million in grants were awarded to movie theaters, summer camps, and minor league sports teams throughout Wisconsin, as part of Governor Tony Evers’ $140 million investment to support the recovery of Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries.

“From Wautoma to Spooner, summer camps, movie theaters, and minor league sports teams are important parts of our communities and our state’s economy,” said Evers. “Unfortunately, like many businesses in our tourism industry, these folks have been hit particularly hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This investment will continue to help fuel our state’s recovery and ensure a strong rebound for our local communities.”

The Movie Theater Assistance Grant Program is a more than $10 million program that provides approximately $15,000 per screen to 49 theater companies. This is the second COVID-related relief program to assist the movie theater industry in Wisconsin, bringing the total investment in Wisconsin’s movie theaters to $20 million.

Rogers Cinema Inc., based in Marshfield, and located in Wood, Portage, and Waupaca counties will receive $435,000.

The Minor League Sports Teams Grant Program provides $2.8 million to 17 minor league teams across the state, utilizing federal pandemic-relief funding to help teams recoup lost revenue during 2020.

Jo-Vin Baseball, LLC, who owns the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, will receive $200,000.

The Summer Camp Assistance Grant Program will provide a total of $1.8 million to 37 eligible summer camps operating in Wisconsin to offset pandemic-related losses. Each camp recipient will receive $50,000. This is also the first pandemic relief program targeting summer camps in Wisconsin.

All three programs are funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA). Applications for all three assistance grants opened Sep. 16 and closed on Oct. 15.

“We’re proud to work alongside our many partners to make these grants a reality,” said Wisconsin DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “Getting this much-needed assistance to our minor league sports teams, movie theaters, and summer camp operators is an investment in our communities and an investment in Wisconsin’s strong ongoing recovery.”