Madison is closer than ever to selecting a development partner for the last empty block in the heart of the city.
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Wisconsin Development News (click here to read online) | |||||||||
![]() Ken Harwood Advocating for Wisconsin ...Full Story HereHarwoodKen [at] Gmail.com 608.334.2174 This Weeks Articles for 2/6/2025 ...
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520-acre data center campus planned in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin | |||||||||
![]() Local press including WPR and Daily Dodge report an unnamed developer is looking to build a campus in Beaver Dam in Dodge County, some 60 miles northwest of Milwaukee. A company working through the Degas LLC affiliate is seeking to invest around $567m developing a data center campus on a 520-acre site previously marketed as the Beaver Dam Commerce Park. The site is located along US Highway 151, Hemlock Road, and County Highways A and W – it is on sale for $20,000 per acre. Trent Campbell of the Beaver Dam Area Development Corporation confirmed to the press that the Beaver Dam Area Development Corporation, the city of Beaver Dam and Alliant Energy are working in partnership on a potential data center project. Campbell said the project has yet to be finalized but “significant progress” had been made. The city has approved development and water/wastewater agreements with the potential end user. “The entity we are working with is currently attempting to obtain non-local project approvals. Any future development will be dependent on the success of those efforts,” he said. “While site preparation work may commence in the coming weeks, facility construction and related local permitting would not take place until all required project approvals are secured.” The end-user behind the Degas affiliate has not been named... See Also:
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. ![]() | |||||||||
Downtown project features 269 apartments and MATC athletics center. Construction starts this summer | |||||||||
Construction is to start this summer on a downtown Milwaukee development that features nearly 300 apartments and a Milwaukee Area Technical College athletic facility. The Deer District facility is being developed by the Milwaukee Bucks and J. Jeffers & Co. on a block bordered by West Juneau, West McKinley and North Phillips avenues and North King Drive. That lot, owned by a Bucks affiliate just east of The Trade Hotel, is among the parcels left vacant when the former Park East Freeway was razed. The development would feature 269 higher-end apartments ? mainly studio and one-bedroom units ? within a seven-story building, said John Donoghue, Jeffers & Co. design director.... Ken Notes:The Deer District is special! ![]() | |||||||||
Mastercraft Ventures launching with $2.4M investment from Badger Fund | |||||||||
![]() A new venture capital fund called Mastercraft Ventures is launching in Beloit with a $2.4 million investment from the state’s Badger Fund of Funds. This marks the sixth VC fund to have the Badger Fund as its lead investor and the first in Rock County, according to a release from Mastercraft. The fund manager, Mason Cook, previously led software company RealityBLU in Beloit. “I’ve always focused on taking career roles and finding experiences
that I would love to see in an investor for my own company,” he told
WisBusiness.com in a recent interview. “You know, somebody who’s run
their own business, they’ve raised funding and they’ve worked in the
trenches of a startup. And I don’t think many investors understand the
startup journey from both sides of the table.” ... ![]() | |||||||||
Fincantieri Marinette Marine wins Harbor Assistance Grant | |||||||||
![]() Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced today that five in-state projects will receive more than $10 million in Harbor Assistance Program grants. These grants are intended to strengthen supply chain reliability, support waterborne freight and assist with economic development of Wisconsin’s coastal communities. FMM will use the funding to offset costs of dredging, repairing dock walls, installing mooring bollards and fenders to maintain the safe navigation and mooring of vessels built at the busy shipyard along the Menominee River. “These efforts will help us operate safely and continue to be a strong and vital community partner as we support the U.S. Navy,” said Mark Vandroff, CEO of FMM. “We are grateful that WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman and Gov. Tony Evers’ administration are committed to improving Wisconsin’s maritime infrastructure,” said Marco Galbiati, CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “We invested more than $300 million in the past three years to improve our facilities and to create an efficient and modern shipyard, and we believe that success is almost always a result of teamwork and shared commitment. I feel that we have a strong partnership here in Wisconsin.”... Ken Notes: Wisconsin has a real opportunity to focus om it`s ports in the future. ![]() | |||||||||
City outlines plans for development of last empty block in Downtown Madison | |||||||||
![]() Madison is closer than ever to selecting a development partner for the last empty block in the heart of the city. At a public meeting Monday evening, city staff presented a draft request for proposals for the 2-acre parking lot bounded by East Washington Avenue and East Main, South Butler and South Hancock streets, a couple blocks east of Capitol Square. The city-owned Brayton Lot has about 270 parking stalls and was used most recently as a construction staging area for Madison’s new Bus Rapid Transit route. Buildings there could be up to 10 stories tall, staff said, with the potential for a couple of additional stories if some units are set aside for lower-income residents.... ![]() | |||||||||
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Housing partnership toolkit aims to address attainable housing shortage in western WI | |||||||||
![]() In an effort to bridge the gap in attainable housing across western Wisconsin, the Western Wisconsin Housing Partnership Toolkit has been released to support municipalities, developers, and community … ABOUT This guide was created to support efforts to fill the gap in permanent, attainable housing inventory for people in five counties in Western Wisconsin: Dunn, Pierce, Pepin, Polk, and St. Croix. By narrowing our target market to households with an income of approximately $53,000-76,000 in Polk/Dunn/Pepin Counties and $74,000-99,000 in Pierce/St. Croix Counties, the aim is to create housing priced between $160,000 -$250,000 in Polk/Dunn/Pepin Counties, and up to $300,000 in Pierce/St. Croix Counties. Note these ranges are based on data from 2023 and are subject to change. This guide can support municipalities that have identified a need for more housing inventory in this range to be the right partners together to address the issue. ...Full Story Here Ken Notes: The Tool Kit is at the link. And much of the data is good for anywhere in the state.... ![]() | |||||||||
Gov. Evers Announces Budget Investments to Support Wisconsin’s Farmers, Producers, Agricultural Industries Statewide | |||||||||
![]() MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski, today announced his plans to invest more than $80 million in his 2025-27 Executive Budget that will be introduced later this month to support Wisconsin farmers and farm families, producers, and processors and the state’s $116 billion agricultural industry statewide. “Our farmers, farm families, and producers have been the backbone of our state for generations. Whether it’s been supporting the future research and workforce this industry needs to keep up with the demands of the 21st Century, ensuring rural communities have good roads, broadband, and water infrastructure to be successful, or fighting to make sure farmers have the support and mental health resources they need, I’m proud of our work to support Wisconsin farmers and farm families over the past six years. Our next state budget will continue to build upon our efforts to invest our farmers, producers, and agricultural industries,” said Gov. Evers. “Wisconsin’s agricultural industries are not only vital to our state’s economic success, they are part of our DNA as Wisconsinites and our culture and heritage. We’re going to keep working to support this vital industry and the farm families who make it all possible.”... ![]() | |||||||||
Senator Baldwin Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support More Wisconsin Dairy Businesses | |||||||||
![]() WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that will strengthen the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII) to help more American dairy farmers and processors add value to their businesses, including creating new products, expanding their markets, and modernizing their production facilities. To date, the Baldwin-backed program has supported over 250 dairy farmers and processors in the Midwest, including 109 in Wisconsin. “My Dairy Business Innovation Initiative has helped Wisconsin dairy farmers, producers, and cheesemakers grow their operations, tap into new markets, and innovate new products,” said Senator Baldwin. “From expanding facilities and growing their operations to improving packaging and lowering their shipping costs, this program has helped Wisconsin businesses grow their bottom lines and create jobs in our rural communities. I’m fighting to expand this vital program so more farmers, cheesemakers, and dairy processors have the tools to innovate and drive our rural economy forward.”... ![]() | |||||||||
Superior council finalizes deal for Lake Superior Apartments | |||||||||
![]() The project will redevelop the former Superior Elementary School building into 50 units of housing.SUPERIOR — The pieces are coming together to turn the former Lake Superior Elementary School into a 50-unit apartment building. The Superior City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 21, approved a development agreement with Lake Superior Apartments LLC, a cooperation agreement with the city’s Redevelopment Authority and authorized the creation of the city’s 19th tax increment district in support of the project. Northland Outdoors Forecast: A few flakes and a blustery start to the weekend Under the terms of the agreements, the Redevelopment Authority will provide a $300,000 development grant from money in its land sales account... ![]() | |||||||||
County to receive $7 million in federal affordable housing funds | |||||||||
![]() “In almost every community in Wisconsin I visit, I hear from hard-working families who are struggling to find housing in their budget, and I’m committed to being part of the solution to boost the housing stock and bring down costs across the Badger State,” Baldwin said in a news release. “This investment for Dane County will help build nearly 50 homes for Wisconsin families, remove barriers and lay the groundwork for future affordable housing development so more families can live in the communities they love.”.. ![]() | |||||||||
Report: Wisconsin saw 3.9% increase in homelessness over past year | |||||||||
Wisconsin saw nine people experience homelessness per 10,000 people during the year. The data showed that more than 5,000 in the state experienced homelessness in 2024 with 510 experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The state has seen a 10.6% decrease in homelessness since 2007... ![]() | |||||||||
Wisconsin receives $50 million to combat homelessness | |||||||||
![]() MADISON, Wis. -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care has announced that it will donate $50,497,248 to the State of Wisconsin in order to combat homelessness. "This funding will provide vital resources to communities across the Great Lakes Region, helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness secure stable housing and essential services," Deputy Regional Administrator for the Great Lakes Region Jim Cunningham said. "By working closely with our local partners, we are making significant progress toward the shared goal of ending homelessness."... ...Full Story Here![]() | |||||||||
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USDA invests $14,000,418 in domestic biofuels and clean energy in Wisconsin | |||||||||
![]() WOOD COUNTY--U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa announced that the USDA is investing $14,000,418 more in grant funding in Wisconsin to expand access to clean energy systems and increase the availability of domestic biofuels. “The dozens of awards I’m announcing today will help lower energy costs and provide a historic opportunity for farmers and rural businesses to invest in clean energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements,” said Lassa. “Many of these investments are made possible with help from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and will create more energy independence, save businesses money on their bottom-line, and strengthen economic development in rural communities.” ...Full Story Here ![]() | |||||||||
Title of Tallest Mass Timber Building Could Come Back to Milwaukee | |||||||||
![]() Plans are gaining momentum in Milwaukee for two mass timber-concrete hybrid buildings, including one that would rise more than 50 stories tall and thereby gain the title of the tallest such structure in the world. C.D. Smith Construction,
based in Fond du Lac, Wis., is the contractor for both projects. The
structural engineer is Thornton Tomasetti. Both firms were part of teams
selected by the City of Milwaukee to develop and build both The Edison,
a 32-story residential tower, and for The Marcus Center, a multi-use
development with a residential tower that would have 55 stories.... Ken Notes: I do love these projects... ![]() | |||||||||
Air Wisconsin set to cut more than 500 jobs | |||||||||
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... ![]() | |||||||||
Universities of Wisconsin announces business community support for increased funding request | |||||||||
![]() 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. “With that funding, we would be in a better position to innovate, develop talent and partner with businesses and communities,” Universities of Wisconsin president Jay Rothman said at the press conference. “Without it, access and affordability are threatened.”.. ![]() | |||||||||
Electric Vehicle Charging Just Got Easier in Wisconsin! Travel without Worry | |||||||||
![]() Wisconsin is stepping up its game in electric vehicle infrastructure.
Thanks to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula
Program, residents and visitors alike will find it much more convenient
to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) while traveling throughout the
state. Fast-charging stations powered by federal funds became operational last December at several Kwik Trip locations in cities like Ashland, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls. These developments were made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed in November 2021, which allocated substantial resources for enhancing EV infrastructure nationwide... ...Full Story Here![]() | |||||||||
Mechanical Engineering Team Secures $2.3M ARPA-E Grant to Develop Advanced Electrolyzer | |||||||||
![]() 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.... ...Full Story Here ![]() | |||||||||
Gov. Evers, WisDOT Announce $150,000 Infrastructure Improvement Grant To Facilitate Economic Development and Job Creation in Bayfield County | |||||||||
![]() “Our communities and local businesses rely on good infrastructure to promote economic development,” Gov. Evers said. “I’m proud to continue investing in worthy projects through our TEA grant program like this one in Bayfield County. I’m excited to see the new business park grow and allow more northwest Wisconsin businesses to take advantage of the improvements we’re making.” The newly constructed 2,100-foot section of Arganbright Road will connect State Farm Road to WIS 137 and provide additional improvements such as storm drainage and two access points to the business park... ![]() | |||||||||
MadREP News | |||||||||
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Eau Claire County Bucks State Population Trend | |||||||||
![]() county is one of only a few expected to grow by 2050, new estimates showWithin a few decades, Wisconsin will start to shrink, the state Department of Administration says. Don’t blame Ozempic or some fad diet. The shrinking won’t happen to our waistlines: It will be our population that will begin to diminish, state demographers estimated in a report released in early January. The projections are based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 headcount and forecast populations across the state in 2030, 2040, and 2050. Wisconsin’s population is expected to be somewhat stable during the current decade, but will begin to decrease slightly in the 2030s and 2040s. While the state had nearly 5.9 million people in the 2020 census, that figure is projected to decline to around 5.7 million by 2050... ![]() | |||||||||
Small businesses across Wisconsin can receive free advice and training | |||||||||
![]() Newly launched Main Street Bounceback Technical Assistance Program offers expert consulting and specialized training. MADISON, WI. JAN. 16, 2025 – Small businesses throughout Wisconsin can now receive free advice and training thanks to a new partnership between the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Universities of Wisconsin’s Office for Business and Entrepreneurship. The Main Street Bounceback Technical Assistance and Training Program will provide small businesses – with less than 500 employees — training ranging from formal business classes to one-on-one consultations with experts in fields such as marketing, financial planning, and human resources. “Strong communities are the key to a strong economy in Wisconsin, and small businesses are at the center of strong communities,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s leading economic development organization. “The resources available through the Universities of Wisconsin’s Office for Business & Entrepreneurship, such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network of Wisconsin, are critical to the long-term success, viability, and resilience of our state’s small businesses.” The U.S. Small Business Administration
estimates there are more than 480,000 small businesses in Wisconsin,
accounting for more than 99 percent of all state businesses and
employing nearly half of the state’s workforce... ![]() | |||||||||
Education is the Next Civil Rights Frontier: Wisconsin Must Act Now | |||||||||
![]() 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.... ...Full Story HereKen Notes: Of course if we work on creating a better educational system we stand to lose federal funding. ![]() | |||||||||
5 Milwaukee Affordable Housing Projects Vying For State Funds | |||||||||
![]() The proposals, part of a group of 39 statewide, include a new building at Midtown Center, a redevelopment of a shuttered nursing home, new senior apartments in Bay View, a redevelopment of the building used for the Milwaukee County City Campus offices (and formerly Doctor’s Hospital) and the development of new housing around St. Matthew C.M.E. Church. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority will announce what projects are selected in May. The credits are the most common tool used in Wisconsin to create federally-defined affordable housing. Receipt of the credits requires developers to set aside a pre-determined number of units at a discounted rate for households making less than a specified income (often 60% of the area median). Rental prices are set via a formula and targeted to match 30% of a household’s income... ![]() | |||||||||
Economic Development Resources | |||||||||
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Over $2.7 Billion in USDA Funding Invested in Wisconsin Since 2021 | |||||||||
![]() “I’m proud of the more than $2.7 billion that Rural Development has invested in rural Wisconsin during this period,” said Lassa. “But beyond the numbers, these investments are about strengthening rural communities and improving the quality of life for the people who live there.” Lassa continued, “I’m most proud of how this funding has helped to lower energy costs and increased job opportunities for farmers and rural businesses. We’ve helped improve the quality of drinking water and wastewater treatment and many of these investments helped improve access and the quality of healthcare and public safety services. In addition, we’ve increased access to affordable homeownership, repair and rental opportunities. The impact of this funding will create more energy independence, save money, and strengthen economic development for years to come in the communities of rural Wisconsin.” To view a copy of the complete report, visit: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/wi-2021-2024investments-final.pdf.... ![]() | |||||||||
Orbis Corp to close Menasha facility, lay off 109 employees. Here is what we know so far | |||||||||
![]() MENASHA — Orbis Corp., a major manufacturer of reusable packaging, is closing its Menasha facility after more than 50 years, and laying off 109 employees, according to a notice filed with the state of Wisconsin. The company decided to close the facility at 1328 Earl St. in Menasha and move operations into its new plant in Greenville, Texas, as part of a consolidation, according to the letter the company sent to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, signed by Angie Olson, vice president of human resources. The letter states that Orbis expects layoffs in phases beginning in March, until the entire plant closes... ![]() | |||||||||
These five Wisconsin companies laid people off in January | |||||||||
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 Wisconsin`s unemployment in December, the most recent data, was 3%, however 3,076,500 people were employed, continuing a trend of increasing employment in the state. For the last eight months, Wisconsin has set a new record for employment... ![]() | |||||||||
Advocates Push to Increase Funding For UW System | |||||||||
![]() State ranks 43rd in funding, jeopardizing state`s workforce and economy, civic leaders say.Civic leaders from across the state gathered in downtown Milwaukee on Wednesday to advocate for increased funding for the Universities of Wisconsin (UWs), raising concerns about the state’s 43rd-place ranking in per-pupil funding among public four-year universities. During a press conference and panel discussion at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, advocates including Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman highlighted “critical issues” including workforce development, population growth and talent retention, which they said depend on increased funding... ...Full Story Here ![]() | |||||||||
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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 and Space / Tom Daykin | |||||||||
![]() Note: I changed the link here to Toms Twitter account. JS limits the number of articles I can read so I look at TD`s Twitter feed every week. I`ll Still include JS articles but after ten you need to subscribe. I also updated the picture because, well Tom is getting old and development is taking it`s toll!!! Milwaukee
- 1/1/2020 Journal Sentinel business reporter Tom Daykin talks about
commercial real estate and development, including stores, hotels,
offices, condos, apartments and industrial buildings... Land & Space Development Database...Full Story Here 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... ![]() | |||||||||
The Wisconsin Development Network | |||||||||
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Ken Harwood Advocating for Wisconsin HarwoodKen@Gmail.com 608.334.2174 ![]() | |||||||||
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![]() Wisconsin Development News is Edited and Published by: Ken Harwood Ken [at] KenHarwood.com 608.334.2174 Mailing Address:
Please feel free to send story ideas or Press Releases to:Ken [at] KenHarwood.com Call 608.334.2174 to confirm receipt. ![]() |