By JIM SCHUH
of The Gazette
As Consolidated Papers undergoes a metamorphosis, some have asked questions about the future of the Consolidated Foundation, and what the changes might mean for central Wisconsin and the Stevens Point area.
The foundation has regularly contributed some of its annual $2 million distribution to qualifying arts and cultural projects in this area, because of its presence with the Stevens Point and the Wisconsin River Division paper mills.
One thing is certain: there will be changes.
Consolidated Chairman George Mead says the merger with Stora Enso means a change in the foundation's mission. In his words, "In the past, it (the foundation) has been to a great extent a community relations arm of Consolidated Papers. That's no longer the case...it's going to change."
The foundation has yet to indicate what the changes might be, but in an interview after the shareholders' final meeting in the Mead Inn, Mead said he and his wife, Susan Feith, who heads the foundation, "are personally committed to this (Wisconsin Rapids) community."
He told The Gazette, "We're looking at developing some of the arts and culture-related things in Wisconsin Rapids, partly because the Stevens Point area is a little ahead of us in that respect. You've got the university community there to draw on, and as a result, the opportunities in that area are already better than Wisconsin Rapids, so...the local cultural center and things like that are going to get careful attention."
Mead adds, "Susan is working hard on the details...it's a big chore."
Feith said earlier that members of the Mead family - some of whom live outside central Wisconsin - may wish to see some of their contributions go to projects in their own locales.
She plans to reveal the foundation's new mission in the near future.