Editor's note: The following letter was written by Sen. Erpenbach to express support for the proposed World Cheese Discovery Center; it is reprinted at the request of WCDC organizers and with Sen. Erpenbach's permission.
From Jon Erpenbach
State Senator, 27th District
To whom it may concern:
I write today to voice my enthusiastic support for Monroe, Wisconsin as the location for The World Cheese Discovery Center. There just isn't a better place than Monroe to establish and showcase the cheesemaking industry.
Monroe is home to more award-winning master cheesemakers than anywhere else on the planet. I can think of no other community that has more pride in this rich Wisconsin tradition. In fact, Monroe High School's mascot is a Cheesemaker.
As a state senator, I proudly represent the 27th Senate District where Monroe is currently located. Bringing The World Cheese Discovery Center to Monroe will increase tourism and along with it new business opportunities (hotels, restaurants, etc.) bringing a much-needed economic jolt to the area.
According to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, our state produces more than 600 different varieties of cheese and has won more awards than any other state or country. Wisconsin is the number one cheese-producing state in the nation accounting for 25 percent of all the cheese in the entire country. In fact, if Wisconsin were a country, it would rank fourth in the world in cheese production. The dairy industry contributes $26.5 billion annually to Wisconsin's economy.
I could list so many more reasons why Monroe, Wisconsin deserves to be home to the World Cheese Discovery Center, but I think those statistics speak for themselves. When it comes to cheese Wisconsin reigns supreme, and Monroe is the perfect place to establish a place to showcase this wonderful industry.
From Jon Erpenbach
State Senator, 27th District
To whom it may concern:
I write today to voice my enthusiastic support for Monroe, Wisconsin as the location for The World Cheese Discovery Center. There just isn't a better place than Monroe to establish and showcase the cheesemaking industry.
Monroe is home to more award-winning master cheesemakers than anywhere else on the planet. I can think of no other community that has more pride in this rich Wisconsin tradition. In fact, Monroe High School's mascot is a Cheesemaker.
As a state senator, I proudly represent the 27th Senate District where Monroe is currently located. Bringing The World Cheese Discovery Center to Monroe will increase tourism and along with it new business opportunities (hotels, restaurants, etc.) bringing a much-needed economic jolt to the area.
According to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, our state produces more than 600 different varieties of cheese and has won more awards than any other state or country. Wisconsin is the number one cheese-producing state in the nation accounting for 25 percent of all the cheese in the entire country. In fact, if Wisconsin were a country, it would rank fourth in the world in cheese production. The dairy industry contributes $26.5 billion annually to Wisconsin's economy.
I could list so many more reasons why Monroe, Wisconsin deserves to be home to the World Cheese Discovery Center, but I think those statistics speak for themselves. When it comes to cheese Wisconsin reigns supreme, and Monroe is the perfect place to establish a place to showcase this wonderful industry.
