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Tech park spot determined

WHITEWATER — UW-Whitewater and city officials have taken a major step toward the development of a joint technology park that could bring hundreds of new jobs to the community, according to a news release Monday.

The city and the Whitewater Community Development Authority have agreed to locate the Whitewater University Technology Park in the southeastern section of the existing Whitewater Business Park, house the UW-Whitewater Innovation Center on the site and acquire additional land for the entire project.

The project is estimated to cost more than $10 million, of which the innovation center accounts for about $5 million. The Technology Park Board is applying for a $3.4 million federal grant to help offset the cost of the project.

If the grant money is secured, construction on the innovation center could begin later this year.

"The (innovation) center will allow our faculty and students to work on ideas that will help encourage the development of new businesses," said UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer. "What we're looking for is a place to bring all the different strengths of the university together to help with business creation."

The Whitewater University Technology Park will be located on 125 acres bordered by Corporate Drive, Howard Road, Bluff Road and Moraine View Park on the city's east side.

The existing Whitewater Business Park was developed in 1986 and is one of the largest office and industrial parks in southern Wisconsin. It covers 540 acres with room for expansion, and the 20 businesses now located in the park employ about 2,300 persons.