Gov. Evers grants $1.8 Million to cover public safety costs of Draft

GREEN BAY, WI—(WGBW)— The Evers Administration gives Green Bay, Ashwaubenon, and Brown County $1.8 million for work to support the 2025 NFL Draft that took over the Greater Green Bay Area in April. Governor Tony Evers announced the Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) on Wednesday. The grant will cover the NFL Draft’s security and other public safety costs.

“The 2025 NFL Draft was a booming success, and I’ve said all along that nobody could have pulled it off other than the Green Bay Packers and the good folks in Green Bay and across the region. So, it was critically important to me that Green Bay and our local partners received the support they need to cover public safety costs, and I’m glad we were able to get this done,” said Gov. Evers in a press release.

“For three days, Wisconsin had the national spotlight, showcasing all we have to offer, our world-class sporting and entertainment, and of course, our proud history as Titletown. Pulling off a national event like this requires a lot of work, coordination, and partnership. I’m incredibly proud of those efforts and that we’re going to be providing these investments to support our local partners and the tremendous work that ensured the Draft went off without a hitch.”

Reaction to grant

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich said he is grateful for the support.

“This was a historic event that brought enormous economic benefits to our community and the entire state of Wisconsin,” Genrich said. “The allocation of this funding recognizes that positive statewide economic effect and protects our local taxpayers from bearing the costs—a win-win for our state’s and our city’s residents.”

Wisconsin legislators from the Greater Green Bay Area responded to the announcement.

“I am delighted that Governor Evers did what the Republicans on the state budget-writing committee failed to do last week:  recognize that our community’s investment in public safety during the NFL Draft benefited all of Wisconsin,” said 30th District Senator Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay). “The $1.8 million grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation ensures that our local property taxpayers are no longer left holding the bill.”

“We first spoke with the governor about this issue back in December. It took the length of an NFL season to get here, but we should all celebrate this win for our local taxpayers,” added Representative Ryan Spaude (D-Ashwaubenon).

Economic impact

To support Wisconsin’s recent success in recruiting and hosting large-scale events like the NFL Draft, Gov. Evers proposed creating and funding a $30 million opportunity and attraction fund in his 2023-25 Biennial Budget. 

The driving force behind the fund was the recognition that large-scale events, like the NFL Draft, can serve as an economic boon for the community hosting the event and the state as a whole. These events are also an opportunity to put Wisconsin in the national and international spotlight. 

Approximately 600,000 attendees flocked to the three-day event in Green Bay. Initial estimates projected the Draft will generate $94 million in economic activity across Wisconsin, including a $20 million benefit for the Green Bay area specifically. 

An online version of the press release from Evers’ office is available here.