Superior Mayor Paine Announces Spending Priorities For The City

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Mayor Jim Paine announced Tuesday how he wants to spend leftover money given to the City from the Federal Government during Covid.

The Mayor says City of Superior received $17 million dollars, and there is about 2.5 million that has not yet been spent. By Federal Law the funds have to be allocated by the end of the year and spent by the end of 2026. Paine wants to get a jump on that schedule.

“I’d like it spent by the New Year in 2025. By the end of this calendar year. That is not the requirement. We have to have it allocated by the end of this year which for the most part this should accomplish. If the council passes this budget tonight, we will meet that deadline. The problem will be if we don’t spend it. Once the year closes, we cannot allocate it anywhere else. It’s spend it here or lose it,” said Mayor Paine.

The council did pass it. Paine selected the proposed projects because they make sense for the community. He included construction of a new waterfront park, downtown building beautification, Fire stations, and road improvements, among others.

“When we give them a brand-new park on the water of the St. Louis River, folks should be able to have a bit more fun. This is one time funding and I think people should feel it. It shouldn’t be just about filling holes in our budget, it should be about making a better city, and that’s what this does,” said Paine.

The Mayor emphasized the proposed projects will be good for local residents as well as tourists who visit the city.