MADISON, WI – Yesterday the State Senate passed legislation to incentivize a new facility in the Hayward area that will create aviation biofuel out of wood. Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (R-Birchwood) championed the legislation and celebrated its passage to revitalize Northern Wisconsin communities.
“I am incredibly pleased that this legislation got across the finish line,” Quinn said. “This will fundamentally change the trajectory of the forestry industry in this state – raising the value of timber, improving forest health, and bolstering 2,000 jobs across Northern Wisconsin.”
The legislation, introduced by Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) and Representative Chanz Green (R-Grand View), authorizes the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to certify a refundable $120 million enterprise zone tax credit to establish a facility that will convert wood residue into sustainable aviation biofuel (SAF).
“There’s no doubt the timber industry has faced incredible challenges in recent years, especially with mills closing in Mosinee and Wisconsin Rapids,” Quinn said. “We can either accept the fate of continual decline or we can pivot. This significant investment will produce an economic impact that will be felt in our own communities and local governments as well as across the state by supporting the timber industry, providing construction jobs to build the facility, and the ancillary businesses that result from it.
The bill received strong support to pass in both houses of the legislature and now goes to the desk of Governor Evers for final approval.
Last Update: Mar 18, 2026 2:36 pm CDT
