WEDC is assembling a “concept paper” later this month for the National Institute of Standards and Technology in hopes of landing a proposed manufacturing AI project in Wisconsin. 

Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., yesterday highlighted this plan during a meeting of the agency’s board. She said NIST is proposing the creation of a Manufacturing USA institute focused on artificial intelligence, adding to more than a dozen other such institutes scattered around the country. 

“The potential is, between federal funding and private sector matching, to be a tens of millions of dollar-investment in this opportunity,” she said...

Seven projects linked to startups founded by UW-Madison researchers have been chosen for $500,000 in funding from the State Economic Engagement and Development program, supporting further research and technology advancement. 

The university’s Discovery to Product program, which coordinates the SEED program, yesterday announced recipients for funding in fiscal year 2025. The $500,000 total includes a matching grant of $250,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Funding varies by recipient, up to a maximum of $100,000, according to a D2P spokesperson. 

D2P Interim Director Abram Becker says the grants will offer “crucial support to these outstanding early-stage companies” as they develop their technologies for market readiness...

The city of Racine and the village of Mount Pleasant are embroiled in a legal battle over water following the failure of the Foxconn project. 

Racine, which shares a border with Mount Pleasant, supplies and delivers water to the village. But until earlier in the month, the city had held off on approving recent applications for water service extensions for developments in the village of Mount Pleasant. 

A complaint filed by the village against Racine claims the city has created a “de facto development ban in Mount Pleasant.” The complaint, filed with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, said at least five projects have been impacted by the city not approving needed water service extensions for developments...

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been nationally recognized in a recent Forbes article for its innovative approach to workforce development and collaboration with local businesses.

The article, titled “Colleges, Companies, And Communities Are Working Together To Improve Higher Ed,” highlights UW-Parkside’s involvement with Higher Expectations for Racine County, working with educational, business, and community partners to improve outcomes for young people across the region.

It also highlights the Parkside Promise Plus program, which covers any tuition not covered by federal and state grant aid and scholarships for Wisconsin students with limited resources.

The Forbes article underscores the university’s commitment to creating practical, real-world learning opportunities for its students. It notes that these collaborations are not only enhancing the educational experience but are also driving economic growth in the region...

It’s been nearly a decade since Amazon planted its flag in southeast Wisconsin, spurring a wave of industrial development that has transformed the Interstate 94 corridor into one of the fastest-growing submarkets in Chicagoland.

In fact, the inventory of industrial product in southeast Wisconsin is now more than 84 million square feet across 652 buildings, surpassing that of the older and more established Lake County submarket, which comprises 80 million square feet, according to CBRE.

Abundant, large parcels of improved land made it easy for developers to launch new projects, many of them big-box warehouses ranging from 500,000 to 1 million-plus square feet, with plenty of space for trailer parking as well...

Winner among three finalists will be announced on Sept. 26

The suburb is actively exploring ‘upfill’ development in underutilized corridors

MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) - The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development says the state set a record for employment for the fourth straight month.

The DWD says Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is 2.9%, based on preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for August. That’s slightly less than the seasonally adjusted rate of 3.0% in July. It’s 1.3 percentage points under the national average, 4.2%.

County figures for unemployment aren’t available yet. In July they ranged from 2.6% in Kewaunee County to 6.1% in Menominee County.

The number of non-farm jobs filled reached an all-time high of 3,047,300 in August. That’s 11,600 more jobs than in July and 35,300 new jobs since the start of the year...

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Governor Tony Evers announced a new bill to help Wisconsinites stay in their homes on Wednesday.

Evers along with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) announced the ‘More like Home’ Repair and Renew loan program.

Helping homeowners of older homes make critical repairs that increase energy efficiency, safety and security.

$5,000 to $50,000 low interest loans are available to home owners whose houses are more than 40 years old.

WHEDA CEO and executive director Elmer Moore Jr., says these loans can help enhance property values, improve health and prevent displacement if you lose your insurance.

“WHEDA is statutorily obligated to focus our work on families who are low to moderate income...We know that even families that earn into the six figures, still need help getting access to the resources to make these vital and necessary improvements.” Moore said.

Moore continued to say that this is an opportunity to make critical energy improvements that can change how communities feel about the sustainability of their homes...

See Also:

Wisconsin announces $50M in low-interest home repair loans

Brooke Street Lofts Wins Coveted Community and Economic Development Award

Green County Home Construction Cooperative wins coveted Community and Economic Development Award

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) is excited to announce the Brooke Street Lofts apartments project has won a 2024 Community and Economic Development Award (CEDA) in the Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse category. The CEDA Awards were established by WEDA to recognize economic development projects, businesses, and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Wisconsin economy. Winners were recognized at the annual CEDA Awards ceremony, which was held September 26, 2024, in Eau Claire, WI.

Three CEDA finalists were selected in each of the four following CEDA categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Community Impact; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction, Development, and Retention. The winners in each category were announced and celebrated at the awards ceremony that was attended by over 200 economic development professionals from across the state...

Converting underused office buildings to housing and other new uses is expensive ? especially with relatively high interest rates and inflated construction costs.

So, a new state loan fund could be a big help. But legislative restrictions are largely keeping Wisconsin developers from tapping it.

That`s according to comments from a Tuesday panel discussion on office conversions sponsored by Commercial Association of Realtors-Wisconsin, a trade group.

Bills with bipartisan Legislature approval, signed last year by Gov. Tony Evers, allocated $525 million to help fund "workforce housing."...

The deadline is looming for employers looking for state workforce training grants.

The Department of Workforce Development is asking employers to apply for the latest Wisconsin Fast Forward grant by Oct. 28. Companies big and small are eligible for the funding to train skilled workers.

The Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants are meant to reimburse occupational training costs for unemployed, underemployed and existing workers, DWD officials said. The grants provide from $5,000 to $400,000 to qualify workers for full-time employment, higher level employment or increased wages.

Phoenix Innovation Park aims to add amenities to campus and foster new businesses

Beyond Microsoft project, Alliant Energy hints more data centers could be coming to Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – Officials in Wisconsin announced that the month of August saw new record highs for jobs and employment throughout the state.

According to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), preliminary estimates from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) say this is the fourth consecutive monthly record for state employment during which time the number of nonfarm jobs throughout the state also reached a new all-time high.

Officials say employment estimates for August 2024 show Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate came in 1.3 percentage points below the national unemployment rate of 4.2%...

The Marquette Graduate School is working to develop the EXCEL Milwaukee Fellowship Program, which will place Marquette graduate students in local nonprofit organizations to create mutually beneficial relationships, thanks to a planning grant from AmeriCorps.

The Graduate School is embarking on a year-long planning process to develop the EXCEL Milwaukee Fellowship Program with the goal of earning a three-year program grant from AmeriCorps. A formal proposal for the three-year program grant will be submitted in the spring. Dr. Scott D’Urso, Maggie Nettesheim Hoffmann and Alisha Klapps Balistreri are serving as co-PIs on the planning grant. 

In alignment with Marquette’s strategic plan, Guided By Mission, Inspired To Change, and its theme of “Care for the World,” this program would establish additional university and community partnerships, build capacity for nonprofit organizations in Milwaukee and provide research-informed support for nonprofit programs, outcomes and systems.

The Department of Workforce Development recently announced a program that will assist employers with the costs of occupational training for full-time unemployed, underemployed, and existing workers.

The Fast Forward Program assists employers with innovative solutions that will help meet the needs of their workforce.

“Any business interested in building its pool of skilled workers should consider applying for this grant,” said Amy Pechacek, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The Fast Forward program is an investment in Wisconsin’s workforce, providing a training boost that fills positions while offering workers the skills they need to succeed.”...

...The application deadline is 3:00 pm. CT, Monday, October 28, 2024.

More information and instructions to apply can be found at  https://wisconsinfastforward.com/

The Report is Here

Kevin Ruetten joins Bizcast Greater La Crosse, as we explore how he provides services to businesses to connect with employees while having two employers – the Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Board and Western Technical College.

Ruetten develops training programs and finds talent in new ways by connecting individuals working with the Workforce Development partners to employers. Then works with Western Technical College to get employers custom training to upscale employees and strengthen the workforce...

(The Center Square) – An audit of businesses that received grants and tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. resulted in 9% of businesses not providing the agency with documentation to prove they deserved the award.

An additional 19% of businesses didn’t keep the required paperwork and now understand what they need to keep in the future. Now, the WEDC must decide what to do about the businesses that did not provide the required proof.

The state collected 664 performance reports across the state from awardees and audited 80 of those included 40 tax credit workbooks...

Local partners planning Startup Week events, leading up to December 4 regional event; Deadline for entry by uploading pitch ideas is October 31

NEW NORTH, October 1, 2024 – Continuing to support entrepreneurial activity in Northeast Wisconsin, New North Inc. is working with 12 of its local partners to hold pitch events during Startup Week in the state. The event winners will advance to a regional pitch event, scheduled for December 4 at TitletownTech in Green Bay.

Entrepreneurs within the New North who are interested in participating in the qualifying, local pitch events are asked to upload their pitch ideas at https://www.startupwi.org/new-north. The deadline to do so is October 31. Those registering will be asked to select the one local pitch event that is closest to them or where their business is/will be located.

The local and regional entrepreneurial pitch contests are supported by the NEW Launch Alliance of New North Inc., along with WBD Inc. The NEW Launch Alliance was formed to create a more robust and productive entrepreneurial ecosystem across the 18 counties of the New North region, connecting entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, educators, accelerators and other resources....

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will host two workshops during the 2024 World Dairy Expo for international exporters and importers on Thursday, October 3.

The Exporters Workshop, hosted in collaboration with Livestock Exporters Association (LEA), will take place 9 a.m.–noon. Exporters, breeders, veterinarians, and freight providers are invited to attend to learn about the global dairy outlook, export protocols, certification, financing, and order fulfillment. This event will feature experts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, LEA, U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), and the Export-Import Bank of the U.S.

Registration is required by September 29, 2024, at https://forms.office.com/g/ws9nZdCJTW. For more information, contact Jennifer Lu at (608) 347-1852 or jennifer.lu@wisconsin.gov...

Some Wisconsin tribes cite struggles working with federal agency to develop solar projects

According to a letter submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Energizer’s facility located at 2851 Portage Road in the city of Portage will be closing down, subsequently laying off 135 employees who work at the plant.

The letter from Energizer states that all affected employees are aware of the plant closure, and their eventual separation from employment will be permanent.

The first wave of layoffs is expected to happen on March 5. Additional separations are expected to occur in the following months until the plant ceases operations in December...

The Social Development Commission is selling its properties on Milwaukee’s North Avenue for about $3 million to help pay for expenses needed to move the now-closed agency forward, NNS has learned.

The SDC’s main office at 1730 W. North Ave. and two parking lots are listed for $2.59 million, and its nearby warehouse and parking lot at 1810 W. North Ave. are listed for $639,000 by Ogden & Company, Inc.

William Sulton, SDC’s attorney, confirmed on Tuesday that the buildings are for sale. 

He said the board made the decision on Sept. 18 to sell the properties to limit ongoing expenditures, plan for future operations, pay some of SDC’s debts and avoid future debt...

See Also:

How Milwaukee’s giant anti- poverty agency unraveled: weak controls, little oversight

Land & Space Development Database

Our Current Publications:

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

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.