WEDC Bulletin
Wisconsin launches first-ever national campaign to attract veterans transitioning to civilian life
The state of Wisconsin has launched a $1.9 million national marketing campaign to encourage military personnel and their spouses who are transitioning to civilian life to live and work in Wisconsin once they leave the service.
The campaign, a collaborative effort between WEDC, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, is a part of the state’s new $6.8 million marketing campaign aimed at attracting talent to address Wisconsin’s current and future workforce needs.
This marks the first time the state has launched a comprehensive talent attraction campaign aimed at military personnel and spouses.
WEDC awards $750,000 grant for new biomanufacturing center of excellence
WEDC has awarded a $750,000 grant to establish the Forward BIO Initiative – a new biomanufacturing center of excellence that will help to bring groundbreaking research happening in Wisconsin out of the labs and into the marketplace. The grant will be administered by BioForward Wisconsin.
The Forward BIO Initiative is a collaborative effort that will offer entrepreneurs and researchers the resources necessary to effectively translate discoveries into commercial products in the emerging area of biomanufacturing—the advanced manufacturing of therapeutic medical devices, cells, tissues or pharmaceuticals. This initiative is committed to advancing Wisconsin’s position as a national leader in the biomanufacturing industry and features three components developed to reduce commercialization risk: the Forward BIO Institute, Forward BIOLABS, and BioForward Wisconsin.
The collaboration guides projects from pre-incorporation within the Forward BIO Institute to the facilitation of efficient startup launches by Forward BIOLABS, with assistance and guidance from BioForward Wisconsin’s industry partners.
Badger Meter to create 40 jobs in Racine
Badger Meter, a developer of flow measurement products, is expanding its operations in Racine – a project expected to create 40 jobs over the next three years.
WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $250,000 in state income tax credits based on job creation over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits Badger Meter will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created during that time.
In 2010, Badger Meter acquired Arizona-based Cox Instruments, which focuses on testing and calibration of flow meters, as well as supplying precision and industrial flow measurement instrumentation for liquid and gas flow measurement applications. Due to facility limitations, Badger Meter has decided to relocate Cox Instruments to its facility on Washington Avenue in Racine.
Plastics manufacturer Nolato Contour expands operations in St. Croix County; plans to create 62 jobs
Nolato Contour, a plastics manufacturer, is expanding its facility in St. Croix County – a $17.9 million project expected to create 62 jobs over the next three years.
To support the expansion, WEDC has authorized up to $250,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits Nolato will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period.
Nolato plans to expand at its Baldwin location by adding more than 27,000 square feet to its existing facility, a project that includes the addition of two clean rooms as well as space for material handling and warehousing needs.
The Toro Company expanding in Tomah, creating 35 new jobs
The Toro Company, a leading worldwide provider of outdoor maintenance equipment and irrigation and professional lighting solutions, is expanding its facility in Tomah. The project will add 180,000 square feet to its facility and is expected to create 35 new jobs.
WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $350,000 in state income tax credits over the next four years. The actual amount of tax credits Toro will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period.
A global company, Toro has a network of professional distributors, dealers and retailers in more than 125 countries. Their products are used at such notable sites and events as Carnoustie Golf Links and St. Andrews Links in Scotland, Torrey Pines Golf Course in California, Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, Château de Versailles in France, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol in Spain, Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida and the Wimbledon Championships.
City of Glendale receives $435,000 state grant to redevelop idle site
The City of Glendale is receiving a $435,000 state grant to help redevelop the former site of the Glendale Rail Yard.
The Idle Sites Redevelopment Grant from WEDC will support the Glendale Yard Master Development Plan, a two-phase real estate strategy that will construct multiple industrial and flex-space buildings totaling over 375,000 square feet along the I-43 corridor.
The grant will be used for phase one of the project which will include the construction of a 60,000-square-foot flex-space building as well as a public street. City officials say the construction of a road will be a critical element in unlocking the development value of the parcel.
City of Stoughton receives $500,000 state grant to support downtown redevelopment project
WEDC awarded the City of Stoughton a $500,000 state grant to help raze a vacant downtown building to make way for new development on the property.
The Idle Sites Redevelopment Grant will be used to assist the city in the demolition of the former Highway Trailers building on East South Street along the Yahara River. The grant also will help fund construction of a riverwalk trail and a pedestrian bridge from the downtown site to Mandt Park. In addition, the WEDC funds will enable the city to complete environmental assessments on the site and restore the riverbank. The total cost of the project will be about $2 million.
