City of Wisconsin Rapids
  • Home
  • Government
    • City Directory
    • Budget >
      • 2019 Budget Summary
      • 2019 Departmental Budget
      • 2018 Budget Summary
      • 2018 Departmental Budget Summary
    • Common Council
    • Committees, Commissions, Councils & Boards >
      • Meeting Agendas & Minutes
      • Common Council
      • Appointments
    • Mayor >
      • About the Mayor
      • Functions of the Mayor
      • Mayors of Wisconsin Rapids
      • No Mow May
      • Mill Idle Resources and Impact Mitigation
    • Municipal Code
  • Departments
    • Airport >
      • Airfield Information
      • Airport History
      • Airport Accomodations
    • Assessor's Office
    • Attorney >
      • City Prosecutor
      • Referrals for Other Legal Matters
    • Clerk >
      • Election / Voter Information
      • Licenses and Permits
    • Community Development >
      • Historic Preservation
      • Economic Development
      • Creative Placemaking
      • Ordinance Control
      • Permits and Inspections
      • Planning and Zoning >
        • Recovery and Redevelopment Plan
      • Sustainability
    • Engineering >
      • Transportation Utility
    • Finance >
      • Payments
      • Pet Licenses
      • Property Tax
      • Donate
    • Fire >
      • Services
      • Firefighter Associations
      • Fire Safety For Children
      • Fire Regulations
      • Events
      • Fire Safety for Homeowners
      • Hiring Process
    • Human Resources >
      • Employment
      • Employee Benefits
      • Employee Forms
      • Job Opportunities
    • Innovation & Technology >
      • Maps/GIS
    • Lowell Center
    • McMillan Library
    • Municipal Court >
      • Pay Fines
      • FAQ - Municipal Court
    • Parks & Recreation >
      • City Parks
      • Dog-Friendly Parks
      • Mead Field Splash Pad
      • Municipal Zoo
      • Park Shelters
      • Recreation Programs
      • Skate Park
      • Witter Park Aquatics Center
    • Police >
      • Records & Services
    • River City Cab
    • Streets >
      • Yard, Brush & Compost
      • Garbage & Recycling
      • Snow Removal
    • Wastewater Treatment Plant
    • Waterworks and Lighting Commission
    • Wisconsin Rapids Community Media
  • Community
City's Response to Verso Corporation's Plan to Idle Operations at Wisconsin Rapids Mill
Resources and Impact Mitigation

The City of Wisconsin Rapids is working with key partners and organizations to address the immediate and long-term impacts of Verso Corporation’s plan to idle operations at their Wisconsin Rapids mill. The Wisconsin Rapids Together Task Force, created by Senator Testin and Representative Krug, is a bipartisan task force of concerned public officials at the local, state and federal level; community organizations; and industry representatives who are working together to help the community rebound. They developed three working committees of the task force: Economic Development, Community Response and Forestry. While the public can't participate in task force meetings, all meetings are publicly available to view both, live and recorded. The website for the Task Force provides recordings of past meetings, teleconferencing information for future meetings, and a variety of resources for families and important data for committee members to use in support of their efforts. Learn more at: legis.wisconsin.gov/rapidstogether 
City Press Releases
July 5, 2021: Joint Statement by Mayors of Wisconsin Rapids and Park Falls on Legislature's Passage of "Mill Bill" 

July 2, 2021: Mayor Shane Blaser Encourages Governor Tony Evers to Sign the "Mill Bill"

April 23, 2021: Wisconsin Rapids Awarded EDA CARES Act Grant

June 11, 2020: City Responds to Verso Mill Announcement to Idle Operations

June 9, 2020: Wisconsin Rapids Area Leaders' Statements on Verso Closing

Resources for Impacted Families
Wisconsin Rapids Together Task Force: Resources for Families
​

2020 Employment and Resources Fair

Wisconsin Rapids Together Task Force: Resources Identifying Impacts of Mill Closure and/or Long-Term Idle
In the News
December 6, 2022, The Badger Herald: Paper cuts deep: The evolution of Wisconsin’s paper industry

December 21, 2021, WSAW-TV: Timber Professionals Cooperative cautiously optimistic about Verso acquisition

December 20, 2021, Wisconsin Public Radio: Shuttered Wisconsin Rapids paper mill could be sold off following Verso acquisition

December 20, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids City Times: Verso to merge with BillerudKorsnäs

December 20, 2021, WSAW-TV: Verso Corporation to be acquired by BillerudKorsnäs, Wisconsin Rapids mill’s future still uncertain

December 19, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: 'We hope that includes reopening the Wisconsin Rapids mill': Verso Corp. announces proposed merger with BillerudKorsnäs AB

November 8, 2021, WAOW: Mill Bill passes State Assembly committee, still needs to be voted on by full State Assembly

November 8, 2021, Wisconsin Public Radio: Lawmakers pursue last-ditch effort to save paper mills in Wisconsin Rapids, Park Falls

October 29, 2021, WSAW-TV: Rep. Krug to introduce a second “Mill Bill” for area paper mills

September 7, 2021, Wisconsin Public Radio: Northwoods Loggers Say Federal Help Welcome, Won't Fill Losses Due To Market Changes​

July 19, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Shutdowns, sales and uncertainty: Can Wisconsin's paper industry adapt to remain viable post-COVID?

July 9, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Mill bill: Gov. Tony Evers vetoes bill awarding $65 million in federal loans for purchase of two paper mills

July 9, 2021, WAOW: Officials react to ‘Mill Bill’ veto

July 7, 2021, Wisconsin Public Radio: Local Leaders Call On Evers To Sign 'Mill Bill' That Could Help Reopen Shuttered Paper Mills

July 1, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Lawmakers passed the 'Mill Bill' to aid purchase of the Verso mill. Here's what you should know.

July 1, 2021, WSAW-TV: Paper mill loan bill heads to governor’s desk despite disagreement over whether federal funds can be used

June 29, 2021, Wisconsin Examiner: Paper mill revival loan winds up in showdown over pandemic relief

June 22, 2021,WSAU: Mill Bill Passes Assembly, Bipartisan Amendment Not Adopted

June 22, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Wisconsin lawmakers approve $50 million for cooperative to buy idled Wisconsin Rapids paper mill

May 24, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: After the Verso mill closure, can Wisconsin Rapids become a 'turnaround town'?

May 17, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Verso sells Duluth mill, continues talks to sell mill in Wisconsin Rapids

February 15, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Some found new jobs or retired. Others are still seeking work. How are Verso employees coping after Wisconsin Rapids mill's closure?

February 4, 2021, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Consolidated Cooperative files letter of intent to purchase Verso mill in Wisconsin Rapids

December 3, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: How COVID-19, the paper market, and investors influenced Verso's decisions in Wisconsin Rapids

November 9, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Verso Corp. reports $31 million loss during third quarter as company idled mills in Wisconsin Rapids, Duluth

October 22, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids City Times: Verso suspends active search for buyer

October 21, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Verso has halted its effort to sell Rapids mill, a decision one task force member called 'playing games'

October 1, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Verso president and CEO resigns as Wisconsin Rapids waits for news on idled mill

September 22, 2020, Wisconsin Public Radio: Wisconsin Rapids' Paper Mill Was Its Identity. Now Laid-Off Workers Are Looking For Their Next Chapter

September 22, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Unfolding 126 years of history at Wisconsin Rapids paper mill

September 15, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: 'Is my dream dead?': Wisconsin Rapids businesses brace for impact of Verso paper mill shutdown

September 8, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Hearts of the mill: Employees contemplate what's next after Verso idles Wisconsin Rapids paper mill

August 26, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids City Times: Wrapping it up: A weekly update with Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Shane Blaser

August 13, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: How could a cooperative save the Verso paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids?

August 7, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids City Times: Wrapping it up: A weekly update with Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Shane Blaser

August 5, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: 'It's like we failed': Union members, employees react to Verso agreement at Wisconsin Rapids mill

August 3, 2020, WSAW-TV: Future uncertain for employees after closure of Verso Mill

July 31, 2020, Seehafer News: Potential Co-op Could Purchase Verso Paper Mill in Wisconsin Rapids

July 30, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Work continues to secure future of Verso mill in Wisconsin Rapids as layoffs loom

July 30, 2020, WSAU: Potential buyer could be in the works for Verso Mill

July 29, 2020, WSAW-TV: Verso Mill set to halt production as potential buyer brings hope

July 23, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: State leaders optimistic about future of Wisconsin Rapids mill, say potential buyers are interested

July 21, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Verso shutdown would have devastating impact on forestry, trucking, construction industries
​

June 24, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Facing layoff of 900 Verso workers, Wisconsin Rapids Together Task Force focuses first on keeping paper mill open

June 24, 2020, WSAW-TV: Wisconsin Rapids together task force meets with goal of saving Verso mill jobs

June 24, 2020, WAOW-TV: ‘Wisconsin Rapids Working Together’ task force meets over Verso layoffs

June 17, 2020, WAOW-TV: Verso closing impacts more than just employees

June 11, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Leaders at city, state, national level form teams to address Verso shutdown in Wisconsin Rapids

June 11, 2020, WAOW-TV: Wisconsin Rapids responds to Verso Mill idling operations

​June 10, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Verso notifies state jobs agency it will lay off 902 employees July 31 at Wisconsin Rapids mill

June 9, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: ​Verso to idle Wisconsin Rapids, Duluth mills indefinitely, starting at the end of July

June 9, 2020, WAOW-TV: ​Verso announces closure of Wisconsin Rapids paper mill, local officials express disappointment

June 9, 2020, WSAW-TV: ​Verso in Wisconsin Rapids to close by the end of July

June 9, 2020, Wisconsin Rapids City Times: ​Wisconsin Rapids Verso mill to cease operations in July
View City Directory
Picture
Picture

Contact Us :

City of Wisconsin Rapids
444 West Grand Avenue
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495

715-421-8200
Picture
 

city of wisconsin rapids logo
Picture
  • Home
  • Government
    • City Directory
    • Budget >
      • 2019 Budget Summary
      • 2019 Departmental Budget
      • 2018 Budget Summary
      • 2018 Departmental Budget Summary
    • Common Council
    • Committees, Commissions, Councils & Boards >
      • Meeting Agendas & Minutes
      • Common Council
      • Appointments
    • Mayor >
      • About the Mayor
      • Functions of the Mayor
      • Mayors of Wisconsin Rapids
      • No Mow May
      • Mill Idle Resources and Impact Mitigation
    • Municipal Code
  • Departments
    • Airport >
      • Airfield Information
      • Airport History
      • Airport Accomodations
    • Assessor's Office
    • Attorney >
      • City Prosecutor
      • Referrals for Other Legal Matters
    • Clerk >
      • Election / Voter Information
      • Licenses and Permits
    • Community Development >
      • Historic Preservation
      • Economic Development
      • Creative Placemaking
      • Ordinance Control
      • Permits and Inspections
      • Planning and Zoning >
        • Recovery and Redevelopment Plan
      • Sustainability
    • Engineering >
      • Transportation Utility
    • Finance >
      • Payments
      • Pet Licenses
      • Property Tax
      • Donate
    • Fire >
      • Services
      • Firefighter Associations
      • Fire Safety For Children
      • Fire Regulations
      • Events
      • Fire Safety for Homeowners
      • Hiring Process
    • Human Resources >
      • Employment
      • Employee Benefits
      • Employee Forms
      • Job Opportunities
    • Innovation & Technology >
      • Maps/GIS
    • Lowell Center
    • McMillan Library
    • Municipal Court >
      • Pay Fines
      • FAQ - Municipal Court
    • Parks & Recreation >
      • City Parks
      • Dog-Friendly Parks
      • Mead Field Splash Pad
      • Municipal Zoo
      • Park Shelters
      • Recreation Programs
      • Skate Park
      • Witter Park Aquatics Center
    • Police >
      • Records & Services
    • River City Cab
    • Streets >
      • Yard, Brush & Compost
      • Garbage & Recycling
      • Snow Removal
    • Wastewater Treatment Plant
    • Waterworks and Lighting Commission
    • Wisconsin Rapids Community Media
  • Community