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Tech park in Whitewater picks up steam

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WHITEWATER — The pace is picking up on construction of the planned Whitewater University Technology Park.

The city of Whitewater and UW-Whitewater last fall jointly proposed the park to marry the city's businesses potential with the university's business resources and foster the growth of technology in the area.

The park recently received a $4.7 million federal Economic Development Administration grant to help fund the Whitewater Innovation Center and general park development, including street extensions, water and sewer improvements and stormwater upgrades.

Total cost of the project is estimated at $11 million. The remainder of the funding will come from the Whitewater Community Development Authority, revenue bonding and other sources, officials said.

"This certainly is a tremendous shot in the arm for the development of the park," said City Manager Kevin Brunner. "This really allows us to get going on this much quicker than we anticipated."

The grant provides the money needed to start work on laying out the park and building the innovation center, a 40,000-square-foot business incubator, which is the centerpiece of the park, he said.

Construction at the park site, a 125-acre section in the southeast portion of the existing Whitewater Business Park on the city's east side, is expected to start soon, but construction on the innovation center isn't expected to start until early next year, Brunner said.

A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 29, at which officials will formally announce the opening of the park, unveil the newly named Innovation Drive and reveal a logo for the park.

"We think this will be a perfect opportunity to help this part of the state grow some jobs and create some new businesses and really revitalize this area," said UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer.

The park is a "rational response" to the loss of major employers in the area, including the General Motors plant in Janesville, he said.

Officials believe the park will bring high-paying jobs to the community as well as provide university faculty, staff and students opportunities for consulting positions, internships and jobs.