Portage County sets groundbreaking for new jail, law enforcement center

By Brandi Makuski

PLOVER — After months of planning, Portage County is ready to break ground on its new jail and law enforcement center in Plover.

The county will hold a public groundbreaking ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the project site, 2600 County Road R.

The new facility will replace the county’s aging jail and is designed to address longstanding space, safety and operational needs for corrections and law enforcement.

The building will include updated mechanical, electrical and security systems and will meet current correctional standards, according to the Portage County Sheriff’s Office. It will also give the county enough room to keep inmates locally instead of sending them to other counties when the jail runs out of space.

Sheriff Mike Lukas said keeping inmates closer to home will also give them better access to programs aimed at rehabilitation.

The Portage County Board of Supervisors approved the project Nov. 18, 2025. Since then, county and municipal officials and the county’s project partners have spent months working through the design of the new facility.

The Sept. 16 ceremony will mark the public kickoff of construction on the project.