County board hears what Lot C development means for La Crosse

Board also discussed UW-Extension cuts

Nearly $70 million is being spent to put new buildings on La Crosse’s old courthouse square, also known as Lot C. 

But what will the community get back in return? 

County development specialist Brian Fukuda says hundreds of good-paying jobs should be available when the new Associated Bank and other buildings open on that downtown block.

Fukuda told the La Crosse County board Monday that his office is increasing its focus on filling local jobs that are opening up as baby-boomers retire in bigger numbers.

Fukuda also told the board that the Lot C development, recently renamed Belle Square, should bring almost 700 jobs to the county. The average income for each of those jobs could be about $48,000.

Also covered in Monday’s meeting was the continuing fight over the University of Wisconsin-Extension. 

La Crosse County administrator Steve O’Malley vows to keep fighting to retain the local extension office and agriculture agent Karl Green, in the face of proposed system cuts and streamlining of county bureaus. 

Leaders of UW-Extension are planning to eliminate 80 jobs from the system statewide, as they try to consolidate all the county offices into regional groups.