Spring Break
City, university team up for new tech park
Joe Luther
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News
The City of Whitewater is in talks to build a new technology park in Whitewater. The proposed park would bring high tech corporations to Whitewater and boost the local economy.
"The concept of the park is trying to marry some of the resources of the University with the community in a business park," City Manager Kevin Brunner said.
The tech park is expected to bring more high-technology jobs to Whitewater and to create unique opportunities for students. Partnerships with the University are in planning stages, and should create internships and student involvement in the park.
"Well I think one thing its that is likely to do is if we start having some businesses there it's possible that internships are a possibility with businesses there," Chancellor Richard Telfer said. "A second thing is students when the graduate or before they graduate can start there own businesses."
Whitewater's consultants pinpointed a few key industries to target that would do well in the new tech park. Agri-business, manufacturing, and information technology firms were among those discussed.
A key part of the park, which would help develop new businesses, is the "business incubator". The incubator would help startup businesses develop.
Development of the proposed park would cost more than $7 million before interested business could start moving in. Similar technology parks have spent four to five years in development before the first building was erected.
"The University Research Park in Madison started in 1984," Brunner said of the largely successful Madison technology park, "and it took about 4 or 5 years to really get off the ground."
Madison's University Research Park has created over 4,500 jobs. The park also has a $63,000 yearly average wage, which according to a study by careerbuilder.com is over $20,000 more than the average wage in Madison.
The current Whitewater Business Park employs over 1,400 people and contributes almost $200 million tot the local economy. Current space is inadequate for the new building plans of the tech park.
"The development style is inconsistent with our view for the business park," Brenner said, "Many high-tech companies are looking for more campus-like settings for their development."
The park is to be owned and developed by the city, while being managed by a UW-Whitewater would manage the park and it tech park board.
The board will consist of four city appointed members, including Brunner, and three University members headed by the Chancellor.
A meeting is planned for Sep. 25, which will appoint the planning board. The city meeting will be open to the public.
"The concept of the park is trying to marry some of the resources of the University with the community in a business park," City Manager Kevin Brunner said.
The tech park is expected to bring more high-technology jobs to Whitewater and to create unique opportunities for students. Partnerships with the University are in planning stages, and should create internships and student involvement in the park.
"Well I think one thing its that is likely to do is if we start having some businesses there it's possible that internships are a possibility with businesses there," Chancellor Richard Telfer said. "A second thing is students when the graduate or before they graduate can start there own businesses."
Whitewater's consultants pinpointed a few key industries to target that would do well in the new tech park. Agri-business, manufacturing, and information technology firms were among those discussed.
A key part of the park, which would help develop new businesses, is the "business incubator". The incubator would help startup businesses develop.
Development of the proposed park would cost more than $7 million before interested business could start moving in. Similar technology parks have spent four to five years in development before the first building was erected.
"The University Research Park in Madison started in 1984," Brunner said of the largely successful Madison technology park, "and it took about 4 or 5 years to really get off the ground."
Madison's University Research Park has created over 4,500 jobs. The park also has a $63,000 yearly average wage, which according to a study by careerbuilder.com is over $20,000 more than the average wage in Madison.
The current Whitewater Business Park employs over 1,400 people and contributes almost $200 million tot the local economy. Current space is inadequate for the new building plans of the tech park.
"The development style is inconsistent with our view for the business park," Brenner said, "Many high-tech companies are looking for more campus-like settings for their development."
The park is to be owned and developed by the city, while being managed by a UW-Whitewater would manage the park and it tech park board.
The board will consist of four city appointed members, including Brunner, and three University members headed by the Chancellor.
A meeting is planned for Sep. 25, which will appoint the planning board. The city meeting will be open to the public.
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