Tia Nelson | WXPR

Draft Bill Would Cut BCPL Land Acquisition Power, Give Local Stewardship Veto

By Natalie Jablonski • Feb 17, 2015

Two Republican legislators want to see major changes within the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.

The organization was founded in the mid 1800s to sell millions of acres of school trust fund lands. It now maintains a loan fund for municipal projects, with the interest going to pay for school libraries. BCPL also owns and manages about a small amount of land, about 80-thousand acres for timber.

BCPL Funds Northwoods Schools

By Ken Krall • Apr 10, 2014

Several area school districts are getting money from a state trust fund dating back to Wisconsin's statehood.

The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands has announced that Common School Fund earnings of more than $30 million were distributed to state K-12 public schools to support libraries. The fund was established from state sales and management and doesn't involve tax money.

Executive Secretary Tia Nelson says the interest money earned from the trust fund goes to schools like Rhinelander's...

Eagle River Police Have Loan, Still Need Contractor for Remodel

By Natalie Jablonski • Oct 21, 2013

The Eagle River Police Department is getting a loan to pay for renovations. Police chief Mark Vander Bloomen says the department wants to create more space for evidence storage. Right now there’s just one small room.

“We identified that we’ve basically used up our evidence storage area. We’re running out of room. A lot of that has to do with DNA evidence – we’re having to keep certain kinds of evidence for longer periods of time.”

Vander Bloomen says the building also needs some security upgrades.

BCPL Buys 1K Acres From Plum Creek

By Natalie Jablonski • Oct 16, 2013

Plum Creek timber company is selling a thousand acres in Forest County to a state agency. BCPL – or Board of Commissioners for Public Lands - is buying the land for one and a quarter million dollars.

Rhinelander Awarded $2 Million For Redevelopment

By Ken Krall • Jun 19, 2013

The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands has approved more than $2 million in state trust fund loans for 7 city projects.

Three of the news loans refinance existing debt, while four involve tax incremental districts, including the downtown upgrade project.

Board Executive Director Tia Nelson says this array of loans help fund local economic development...