Some back in business, others in the works

As a candidate, Scott Walker said he would reverse a decision made in 2009 by his predecessor Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle and reopen the state"s tourism Welcome Centers.

The eight centers, which distributed brochures and other materials to visitors entering the state, were closed as budget-cutting move, for a savings of $1.2 million. The closed centers were in or near Beloit, Hudson, Hurley, Kenosha, Kieler, La Crosse, Marinette and Superior.

In closing the facilities, it was noted that the number of visits to the centers was declining because more travelers were getting information from the Internet.  

Walker said he would  "use my experience as (Milwaukee) County Executive to work with the private sector to reopen these centers and make them self-sufficient."

Last summer, three of the centers were re-opened -- in Beloit, La Crosse and Kenosha -- and will be operated by local convention and visitors bureaus.

Walker spokesman Cullen Werwire said officials with the Department of Tourism recently met with local and tribal leaders to discuss the reopening of the center in Hudson, a busy gateway to Wisconsin from Minnesota.

In making his promise, Walker certainly indicated he would reopen all of the Welcome Centers. He has made progress. Thus we put this one at In the Works.