Central Wisconsin News

The ACE Leadership Program, working with the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, has launched a fundraising campaign to install a new sculpture at the entrance of Alexander Field South Wood County Airport in Wisconsin Rapids. The public art project is titled “Honor Our Past - Prepare Our Future” and is intended to celebrate the city’s paper industry heritage while offering a welcoming experience for visitors arriving by air.

Ben Jennings, a sculptor from Wisconsin Rapids, has been selected as the artist for this project. The planned sculpture will reflect local history and serve as a symbol of community pride. Organizers say it is designed to enhance the airport entrance and provide travelers with a memorable first impression.

The fundraising target for the initiative is $25,000. This sum will be used for materials, installation costs, and a commemorative plaque that acknowledges donors as well as the ACE Leadership group. Community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to contribute through different donation tiers. Recognition options include engraved bricks, donor plaques, and mentions during the project's unveiling event.

Donations can be made online via GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/preserve-wisconsin-rapids-industrial-legacy or by mailing checks payable to Heart of Wisconsin Community Incubator at 1120 Lincoln St, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494.

"Honor Our Past - Prepare Our Future," according to organizers, seeks both to recognize what shaped Wisconsin Rapids and create an improved public space at a key city gateway.