State Sen. Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) said a recent Appleton roundtable town meeting highlighted the significant economic opportunity created by the planned reopening of the former Prairie Correctional Facility, including a new estimate that the facility could now bring approximately 525 jobs to the region.

Westrom and Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck) hosted the Aug. 20 roundtable town meeting at the Appleton VFW, where community leaders, including the city’s mayor, chief of police, county sheriff, and county commissioner, provided updates and gave local residents the opportunity to discuss both the opportunities and concerns associated with reopening the facility.

Westrom said the updated job estimate shared by Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach was a big piece of new information from the meeting. Earlier estimates had anticipated roughly 450 jobs.

“We went into this expecting around 450 jobs, and now we’re hearing approximately 525,” Westrom said. “That is huge news for Appleton and the surrounding communities. These are hundreds of jobs coming back to an area that has been waiting 16 years to see this facility put back to work.”

Despite roughly 50 protesters gathering outside near the sacred space known as the Flags of Honor, the town hall remained civil and productive. More than 100 people attended the meeting at the Appleton VFW, filling the room to standing-room-only capacity as attendees engaged in a respectful discussion about the future reopening of the prison.

Westrom said one of the key concerns raised at the meeting was the loss of property tax revenue when the federally owned facility reopens. The prison has historically accounted for roughly 30% of Appleton’s property tax base. After 2028, the local tax revenues could take a dip as the former private prison now goes off the property tax rolls, if no other resolutions get worked out as part of the reopening.

At the same time, Westrom remains optimistic that the return of approximately 525 jobs will bring new economic activity to Appleton and the surrounding area.

“A rising tide raises all boats,” said Westrom. “Bringing 525 jobs back to the area means more people working, more people spending money locally, more families with many more students in local schools—resulting in thousands of dollars more per student and more economic activity throughout the local community. We also recognize that Appleton has real financial questions to work through, and we’ll keep looking for options to help the city meet those challenges.”

Westrom said he and Anderson will look at options available through Minnesota Housing Finance and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, including homeowner fix-up loans or grants. They will also explore possible legislative measures to help the city manage the loss of property-tax revenue while taking advantage of the economic opportunities created by the reopening.

Westrom said he will continue working with local officials, Rep. Anderson, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach and federal officials to help smooth out any bumps in the road as the reopening moves forward.