Whitewater University Technology Park site earns state’s Certified In Wisconsin designation

WHITEWATER, Dec. 15, 2016 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced today that it has designated a portion of Whitewater University Technology Park in Whitewater as a Certified In Wisconsin® development-ready site.

The 35-acre site, adjacent to the Whitewater Business Park and less than 1 mile from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is the state’s 16^th certified site. A Certified In Wisconsin site gives site selectors and business owners confidence knowing that building plans will not be held up by costly delays in permitting and approvals.

“I congratulate the City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Community Development Authority for achieving this Certified In Wisconsin designation for the technology park,” said Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, who announced the certification at a ceremony on Thursday. “This certification is a signal to job creators that this site in particular is open for business. In the four years since the program was created, we’ve experienced a significant amount of development on the state’s existing certified sites, and we’re expecting to see the same success in Whitewater.”

“I am proud that the Whitewater University Technology Park is one of 16 sites certified under this program,” said Jeffery Knight, chairman of the Whitewater Community Development Authority. “I know that property managers searching for industrial land want to minimize their risks. They can be assured that when they look at Whitewater there is certainty, and what they get is the best the state has to offer.”

The mission of the Whitewater University Technology Park is to create and foster durable businesses and jobs through a close alignment of UW-Whitewater’s research and educational competencies and the resources of the City of Whitewater. The park serves as a foundation for a diversified and robust regional economy through the attraction of new residents, utilization of UW-Whitewater faculty, staff and student expertise, and the retention of alumni talent.

“This designation is important to the continued success of the Whitewater University Technology Park, which is a tremendous partnership between UW-Whitewater, the City of Whitewater and the Community Development Authority,” said UW-Whitewater Chancellor Beverly Kopper. “We are so appreciative of WEDC for its support of this effort and its continued support of the innovative activities that take place at the Technology Park and at the Innovation Center.”

The certified site is located directly east of the Whitewater Innovation Center, an incubator of small tech-focused local businesses. It is conveniently located less than 2 miles from U.S. Highway 12 and about one hour away from airports in Madison and Milwaukee. The site is comprised of two buildable lots: one of 26.3 acres and one of 8.8 acres. Under current zoning, permitted uses for the site include technology-related production or processing; research and development; business office; pilot plants or telecommunication centers.

The Certified In Wisconsin Program, which was launched in 2012, provides potential tenants with all the information needed to make quick decisions about whether that site is right for their needs, such as utility and transportation infrastructure, environmental assessments, quality of labor force and more. WEDC is utilizing Deloitte Consulting to help evaluate sites that are determined to be ready for development and to meet certification requirements. WEDC will market the certified site through its Locate In Wisconsin website, LocateInWisconsin.com.

WEDC administers the Certified In Wisconsin Program to enhance Wisconsin’s appeal to companies looking to expand operations here. Working with WEDC, communities can obtain site certification for properties at a much lower cost than they would pay to pursue the designation on their own through an independent consultant.

So far, there are 17 development projects completed or underway on 10 of the certified sites. Those projects, when complete, are expected to create more than 1,600 jobs and generate more than $300 million in capital investment.

“One of the keys to attracting new businesses to Wisconsin or encouraging existing ones to expand here is the ready availability of developable properties,” said Mark Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “By pre-certifying a site, this program enables companies in Wisconsin and around the world to find the best location for their expansion with the knowledge that they can begin building immediately.”

In addition to Whitewater, other Certified In Wisconsin sites are located in Beaver Dam, Beloit, Chippewa Falls, DeForest, Fitchburg, Green Bay, Howard, Janesville, Menomonie, Prescott, Stevens Point, Verona, West Bend, Westport and Wisconsin Rapids.

For more information about the Whitewater certified site, visit InWisconsin.com/whitewater-certified-site

About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit www.inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter @_InWisconsin to learn more.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.