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Blueprint for economic growth in southern Wisconsin

November 29, 2000 By Brian Mattmiller

A report released today, Nov. 29, for the Wisconsin Economic Summit in Milwaukee proposes an ambitious agenda for progress in Southern Wisconsin, including creating a new agricultural research park and a high-tech incubator.

The report, titled “Diversity and Challenge: Southwestern Wisconsin’s Role in the New Economy,” is serving as a focal point for discussion during today’s events at the Midwest Express Center.

To get a PDF copy of the full report, visit:
http://www.wisconsin.edu/summit/papers/.

Building new partnerships between universities is a key theme throughout the report, prepared by University Research Park Director Mark Bugher and communications specialist Tom Mulhern. Key recommendations include:

  • Create a technology-based business incubator in Waukesha County that would be jointly operated by UW–Madison and UW-Milwaukee. The project would help strengthen the linkage between the two institutions and enhance the “economic corridor” between both regions. It would build on the biosciences resources in Madison and information technology strengths in Milwaukee.
  • Develop an Agricultural Research Park that would be dedicated exclusively to agricultural research and development. UW-Platteville would also take the lead on an agricultural policy research center that focuses on statewide farm issues.
  • Create a multi-county planning commission that can take a much broader and strategic approach to dealing with urban sprawl and future growth challenges across southern Wisconsin.
  • Work with UW-Rock County to address the unique challenges of Rock County, including higher than average unemployment rates, with an incubator that can build on the county’s workforce strength in applied technology. It would help soften the economic blow from any potential job losses at General Motors, the county’s top employer.

The document describes a number of challenges that are unique to the southern Wisconsin economy. Those include unequal growth and prosperity; a skilled worker shortage; urban sprawl; transportation limitations; and the lack of a diversified economy. These top concerns were identified during regional listening sessions this fall in Fitchburg, Janesville and Platteville.