Milwaukee County War Memorial Center asks for state funding to make up for future cuts

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Milwaukee County War Memorial Center is asking for state funding to keep their programs going well into the future.

The center's Board of Trustees chairman, Andy Gordon, says 20% of their operating budget comes from Milwaukee County, but an agreement set in 2013 allows that funding to expire in 2033.

With that financial cliff on the horizon, legislation was introduced Thursday asking the state for $9 million for the War Memorial Center from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Gordon said that would be matched by private donations, for a total of $18 million.

"That will enable us to create a preservation fund that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the War Memorial Center, so that we can continue our programming and services for veterans, their families, and the community in general," he explained.

Part of that preservation fund would go towards restoring the Southeast Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The bill has bipartisan support.

Gordon told CBS 58 the center is in a good place financially, without any deferred maintenance, and they want to keep it that way.

He said the public-private partnership with Milwaukee County is expected to continue, despite future operational funding cuts.