Even before it officially opens in February, the Innovation Center at Whitewater University Technology Park is garnering international attention.
The 38,000-square-foot building earned an “Excellence in Economic Development” honorable mention from the International Economic Development Council. The annual awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, and honor efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
The competition is global and challenging. More than 4,500 members across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries belong to the council.
“The Innovation Center will be a nurturing, start-up place for new technologies,” said UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer. “Inventors and entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to advance their ideas. I’m proud of the partnership between the city and the university that made this project a reality.”
The recognition is given only to projects that show direct economic benefit to the community, such as creating jobs and increasing the tax base.
The Innovation Center fits that bill, said Ronald “Bud” Gayhart, director of the Center for Innovation and Business Development at UW-Whitewater.
Besides serving as a regional think tank, the Innovation Center will help attract and retain talented graduates. Gayhart said tenants will be looking for people with science degrees to carry out experiments, marketing professionals to promote the work, accountants to help with finances, and human resources experts to organize staffing.
“It will give people reasons to stay in southeast Wisconsin, give them occupations, a place to locate their businesses,” Gayhart said. “There’s limitless potential.”
The park is a joint project of UW-Whitewater, the City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Community Development Authority.
“We’re very flattered to be recognized. It speaks volumes about the great working relationship between the city and university,” said Kevin Brunner, Whitewater city manager. “In two short years, we’ve gone from an idea to finishing construction.”
Two tenants will move in next month: CESA 2, the state’s largest Cooperative Educational Service Agency, and the Jefferson Eastern Dane Interactive Network (JEDI), a distance-learning and virtual classroom group. Negotiations are almost complete for other tenants of the building that could be announced by the end of the month.
Sara Kuhl
262-472-1194
kuhls@uww.edu