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A data center campus could be coming to Wisconsin.

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Ken Notes: Wisconsin`s no property tax on equipment and being able to pull from the grid power made in the west prior to Chicago and the east coast make Wisconsin an ideal candidate for data centers.

MADISON, Wis. – Fifty-two entries from 25 distinct communities have advanced to the semi-final round of the annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, contest producers announced.

Contestants emerged in first-round competition involving an independent panel of about 70 judges organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council and its programs, the Tech Council Innovation Network and the Tech Council Investor Networks. There were 153 first-round entries spread over four categories.

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It was not until 2017, with a move back to Wisconsin after five years in Michigan, that Meschke found herself entering the realm of economic development.

Meschke was hired as the director of the Small Business Development Center at UW-Stevens Point and spent the next four years building her expertise in economic development.

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ASHWAUBENON - Cornerbacks and quarterbacks won`t be the only prospects picked when Green Bay hosts the 2025 NFL draft in April.

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Ken Notes: My pitch... Five newsletters, five topics, every week for ten years. AI in Wisconsin, Development, Housing, Environment, The Wisconsin Idea, Job Creation and Apprenticeship... 25 Million Views... a bargin for 1 Million.

The council said the Milwaukee-based developer`s proposal stood out because of its family-centered residential character and its care for the history of the property.

MARSHFIELD – J. Jeffers and Co. will serve as the lead developer on redevelopment of the former Weinbrenner Shoe Company factory in Marshfield’s downtown.

The Common Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a Community Development Authority recommendation of the Milwaukee-based developer for the project after considering proposals over the last several weeks.



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SCS Engineers	Kraus-Anderson
The Gialamas Company	Miron Construction

About Sponsorship    ...Full Story Here

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Ken Notes: The Tool Kit is at the link. And much of the data is good for anywhere in the state....

In Milwaukee, subsidies called tax incremental districts — or TIDs — have helped fund the Milwaukee Bucks’ Deer District development, Northwestern Mutual’s downtown campus and The Hop streetcar system.

Alder Russell Stamper II, who represents some of Milwaukee’s poorest census tracts, thought the tool could have an impact outside downtown.

“My district needs the most development, my district needs the most investment,” he said as he described his thought process to WPR. “Why can’t we draw up a TID for a neighborhood?”

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Ken Notes: We should create legislation that would allow a city to invest in roads, infrastructure and land acquisition then make the area available to developers to build lower cost workforce housing. The investment could be recouped at the sale of the home and keeping some of the property taxes for a set number of years like a TID.

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Legislation from Republican authors would expand the state’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program while requiring more than a third of the credits go toward rural projects.

Rep. David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake and Sen. Romaine Quinn, R-Birchwood, recently began circulating the bill for co-sponsorship. In a memo to other lawmakers, they note Wisconsin has a housing crisis as “there simply isn’t enough affordable housing” to meet demand from working-age residents.

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - More housing is coming to Eau Claire with developers saying it will be worth the wait. The city approved The Sevens residential development that will go on the city’s south side. That will join other developments that have been under construction in the area.

What is now an empty plot of land on the east end of Bourbon Street is now set to become an apartment complex that will have 5 apartment buildings with 305 units. Across the street will be a business district. Already building its new building, Hoeft Builders is helping develop the addition along I-94.

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Two Republicans who chair state legislative committees on energy and utilities say they want to bring more nuclear power online in Wisconsin in the coming years.

To start that effort, they introduced a resolution calling on the Legislature to publicly support nuclear power and fusion energy.

“The resolution, more than anything, makes a formal declaration that Wisconsin is open for business — it is open for nuclear,” said Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, who chairs the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee.

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Ken Notes: First, this should be a bipartisan effort. Second, Look into much smaller distributed units (see above).

LAWRENCE (WLUK) -- A $215 million housing, commercial and recreational development is being proposed for the town of Lawrence.

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Ken Notes: Arghhhhhh! We need affordable homes and these come in at north of one million per! I know, but Ken there is commercial and mixed use, still any units under 200K????

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UNITED STATES – Ms Diamond Pearson needed a new place to live and was looking for something with an industrial feel. When Liberty Crest Apartments in Fairfax County, Virginia, came up in her online search, she was intrigued.

“I checked it out and fell in love – the brick, the concrete floors – it was so beautiful,” said Ms Pearson, 32, who works at Fairfax County Schools. Every unit in the complex is unique and she liked that too.

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Broihahn Management & Consulting		Engineered Construction
Coalesce Marketing	Miron Construction	Findorff
Artis REIT

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Ken Notes: If anyone knows someone at Air Wis please let them know that La Crosse needs a regional carrier and serves a larger metro that numbers might suggest...

Leaders and members from 19 business organizations across the state have signed their name in support of the Universities of Wisconsin’s request for increased state funding.

In August, the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved its request for an additional $855 million in state funding over two years. The Universities of Wisconsin announced the request’s support from the business community at a Wednesday press conference at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Gov. Tony Evers plans to announce his proposed 2025-2027 biennial budget on Feb. 18.

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As 2024 came to a close, Eli Lilly and Company announced its plan to invest $3 billion to expand a Kenosha County, Wisconsin manufacturing facility it acquired from Nexus Pharmaceuticals Inc. earlier that year. Lilly expects to add 750 jobs to the location’s current 130-plus workforce. And the company plans to start construction on the expansion next year, creating an expected 2,000 construction jobs.

“Today’s announcement represents our single largest U.S. manufacturing investment outside our home state of Indiana and will add to our ability to expand capacity to make both our existing and future pipeline of medicines right here in the Midwest,” said Executive Vice President and President of Lilly Manufacturing Operations Edgardo Hernandez at the time. “We look forward to bringing high-wage, advanced manufacturing, engineering and science jobs to people in Wisconsin, a state that is becoming a critical geography in our global manufacturing operations.”

Governor Tony Evers welcomed Lilly’s investment ...   ...Full Story Here

The city of Madison has purchased several properties and is in the process of buying another on fast-changing South Park Street for a future redevelopment just south of Wingra Creek.
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A community input meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at City Hall, which will give residents an opportunity to comment on redevelopment plans.

Key Points

Wisconsin Rapids residents are invited to share their input on the redevelopment of the former Northern Steel Castings site.

The former foundry, significantly damaged by fire in 2016 and closed in 2017, was acquired by Wood County in 2023 after tax foreclosure.

Grants from the EPA and DNR are funding initial site analysis and planning, including a preliminary reuse assessment that showed strong support for residential redevelopment.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS ? Wisconsin Rapids residents will soon have a chance to have their voice heard on the future of the former Northern Steel Castings site.

A community input meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 in City Hall, 444 W. Grand Ave., which will give residents an opportunity to comment on redevelopment plans for the property, including community revitalization and economic development.

Kyle Kearns, director of community development for the city, told a Daily Tribune reporter the session will contribute to continued planning for redevelopment of the property, identifying the best use of the property and keeping the surrounding residents informed and engaged on the process....

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Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - Dr. Jill Underly, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, spent the first half of February traveling around the state as a part of the Department of Public Instruction`s recognition of Career and Technical Education month. As Dr. Underly wrote in her Op Ed earlier this month, "Schools offering CTE programs aren’t just teaching technical skills; they’re fueling students’ imaginations, inspiring future careers, and helping equip them with real-world experience."
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The United States electrical grid is fragmented, which means transferring excess power from one region to another is no easy feat.

The U.S. Department of Energy is searching for promising solutions to this challenge through its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), including ways of transferring power using chemicals.

With that in mind, ARPA-E selected a project led by University of Wisconsin-Madison Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor James Pikul for a three-year, $2.3 million grant as part of the agency’s Vision OPEN 2024 program....

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• The Trump administration has suspended a $5 billion plan to expand  EV chargers in the U.S.
  
  
• Wisconsin risks losing over $55 million in federal funding due to this halt.
  
  
• Governor Evers calls the decision shortsighted and reckless, stressing the need for an EV charging network.
  
  
• The state recently launched its first federally funded EV charging stations, with more planned along highways.
  
  
• Environmental advocates warn of potential legal action against the federal government over this setback.
  
  
• Wisconsin’s lagging EV infrastructure puts it at risk of falling behind in adopting greener transportation options.

In a stunning turn of events, the Trump administration has halted a crucial $5 billion initiative designed to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the U.S., leaving Wisconsin in jeopardy of losing over $55 million in much-needed federal funds...   ...Full Story Here

Stay up to date by reading our MadREP Report,a bi-monthly newsletter that features regional economic development news, events and opportunities.   ...Full Story Here

As an educator and advocate for educational equity, I’ve witnessed firsthand the stark reality of Wisconsin’s educational landscape. Our state maintains one of the largest achievement gaps between Black and white students in the nation – a crisis that demands immediate attention and action.

The recently released  National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores paint a troubling picture. Wisconsin’s Black students consistently perform below the national average, with reading proficiency rates that should alarm every citizen of our state. In Milwaukee, where the majority of our state’s Black students reside, these disparities are even more pronounced. This isn’t just an education issue – it’s a civil rights emergency....

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Ken Notes: Of course if we work on creating a better educational system we stand to lose federal funding.

Five proposed Milwaukee affordable housing developments are vying for competitively awarded low-income housing tax credits to enable their construction.

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STEVENS POINT — Downtown business owners and entrepreneurs in Stevens Point will have a new tool to navigate the local business landscape, thanks to a soon-to-be-launched Downtown Resource Guide.

The guide, spearheaded by Chloe Kreuser, executive director of the Downtown Stevens Point Business Improvement District (BID), compiles critical information for business owners, including district boundaries, development resources, funding opportunities, and promotional tools.

Kreuser said the initiative was driven by repeated questions from local businesses on where to seek support...

...The BID is working with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and Main Street America, a national network dedicated to supporting downtown districts. Kreuser said Stevens Point businesses can leverage geofencing data, which provides heat maps and traffic patterns to help identify areas needing activation and investment..

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Small Business Resources At The Link

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Ken Notes: Some NEW Tools at he link...

			Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Intercity Passenger Rail Service
Economic Development Division	Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority	nwrpc.com momentumwest.org 7riversalliance.org driftlessdevelopment.com grownorth.org prosperitysouthwest.com centergy.net madisonregion.org thenewnorth.com mke7.com
PropertyDrive.com	CirexNews.com	www.weda.org	DOA
Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Directory		Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

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Wisconsin employers cut about 700 jobs in January, compared with the same month in 2024 when nearly 1,900 workers were laid off.

In January, 711 people were either permanently or temporarily laid off from five companies according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The total number of laid off workers could be much higher because Kohl`s Corp. announced layoffs at its headquarters, but has not filed a official WARN notice.

More:Two Wisconsin companies laid off workers in December. State`s economy ends year on high note
A record number of jobs in Wisconsin

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State ranks 43rd in funding, jeopardizing state`s workforce and economy, civic leaders say.

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MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski announced Julie Lassa as Administrator of the Division of Agricultural Development.

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Dairy manufacturers, processors, and suppliers to the industry now have more options than ever to promote their businesses.

Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) is introducing sponsorship opportunities for educational trainings, member committees & groups, and monthly webinars. Complete details including pricing, benefits, and purchasing information, are available now at WisCheeseMakers.org/Marketing.

“These new sponsorships offer much more than brand visibility – they’re a chance to connect with over 700 WCMA member businesses and their employees, and to invest in education and connection in the dairy processing industry,” said Rebekah Sweeney WCMA’s Senior Director of Programs & Policy. “We’re excited to launch these offerings and create new avenues for the dairy processing industry to grow.” ...

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State Rep. Steffen: Wisconsin can leverage UW, private sector to be a hub for nuclear energy

Two Republicans who chair state legislative committees on energy and utilities say they want to bring more nuclear power online in Wisconsin in the coming years.

To start that effort, they introduced a resolution calling on the Legislature to publicly support nuclear power and fusion energy.

“The resolution, more than anything, makes a formal declaration that Wisconsin is open for business — it is open for nuclear,” said Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, who chairs the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee...

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FaB Wisconsin, in collaboration with MATC, has been awarded a $198,593 Workforce Advancement Training grant from the state’s Department of Workforce Development. The funding will be used to provide FaB Wisconsin members with up to a 65% discount on employee training. Through this grant, FaB members will gain access to a variety of industry-relevant courses,   ...Full Story Here

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - The Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) is asking community members to help them raise $100,000 to help vetted refugees who are new to living in the area.

The Executive Director of ECDC Janice Watson said a memo from the Federal Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration paused their Reception and Placement program.

The pause means no money is available to help dozens of people who are now calling central Wisconsin home.

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For the second consecutive year, Nelson-Jameson employees have high regard for workplace culture

In central Wisconsin, a fourth-generation distribution company has earned a global reputation for being a great place to work.

Nelson-Jameson, based in Marshfield, employs more than 200 people throughout Wisconsin and 100 more nationwide. The company represents more than 1,000 vendors and distributes 78,000 products of food, dairy and beverage supplies across the country.

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Ken Notes: WDNews relies on the actual journalism provided by your local media outlets. Without these partners we can not bring you the unbiased news, leads and updates you need to thrive in Wisconsin. Support your local media...

Land & Space Development Database

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Ken Notes: Tom Daykin is the source for ED news in MKE. This is a permanent link to articles in his blog which is updated daily...

Our Current Publications:

WisconsinDevelopment.com	On Hiatus	WWHNews.com
Toward One Wisconsin News	Cirex News	WisCraftNews.com FOR SALE!

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Online at WisconsinDevelopment.com  & WDNGreen.com Featuring Storues & Links you can use everyday to help your bisiness and Wisconsin grow! Edited and published by Ken Harwood @ LinkedIn. 

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Ken Notes: "Ken Notes" may be reprinted in context without permission. Attribution should be Ken Harwood, Editor Wisconsin Development News or Ken Harwood Advocate for Wisconsin.

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