October 22, 2026 – Bluejay 96.3FM 730AM

Lincoln County EDC Announces New Event Focused on Regional Economic Trends

October 22, 2026October 23, 2026 Steve DillonLCEDC REGIONAL ECONOMIC TRENDS

MERRILL — Population shifts, workforce needs and the factors that influence where people choose to live and work will be the focus of a new economic development event coming to Merrill next month. The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation will host its inaugural Economic Insights 2026: Population on the Move program from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 5, at the Merrill Expo Center, 303 North Sales Street. The free event will feature Matt Kures, a community economic development specialist with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension. His presentation…

Lincoln County Closes $900,000 Budget Gap in 2027 Spending Plan

October 22, 2026October 23, 2026 Steve DillonLINCOLN COUNTY CLOSES BUDGET GAP

Lincoln County officials have eliminated a projected $900,000 budget deficit as work continues on the county’s 2027 spending plan. Finance Director Korey Bloch presented supervisors with an updated budget draft during Tuesday’s County Board meeting. The proposal includes a property tax levy of approximately $13.6 million, an increase of about $300,000 from the previous year. Despite the higher levy, the county’s average mill rate is projected to decline. The draft attributes that outlook to a 6.9% increase in equalized property values and a 1.3% increase in net new construction. The…