Excerpted from Janesville Gazette
By Andrea Anderson

The Innovation Center is at capacity, and advocates of the business incubator are hoping to break ground on additional facility space within two years.

The Innovation Center on 130 acres at the Whitewater University Technology Park is full with 15 tenants.

The park board for the past year has been pondering a new building or expanding the existing building so more businesses can move to Whitewater and the entrepreneurial environment can continue to flourish, board members said.

The center’s goal is for entrepreneurs to be out within three or four years after their business has taken off.

The Innovation Center has four businesses on a waiting list and three virtual tenants. The park and 37,500-square-foot building were finished in May 2011.

The building was at capacity in the fall, faster than predicted, said Bud Gayhart, a UW-Whitewater representative for the board.

Having an additional building would give mature businesses the choice of staying or relocating to develop the entrepreneurial environment Whitewater has worked so hard to foster, said Mark Johnson, Whitewater University Technology Park executive director.

“What I’m envisioning is the ability to round out the entire entrepreneurial system–what is needed from that very base start-up to the established business,” Johnson said.

Board members said the Innovation Center is doing what it’s supposed to be doing as businesses are moving out and expanding.

The center has a symbiotic relationship with UW-W.

College students work as interns and often land full-time jobs with the companies after graduation, Gayhart said.

Gayhart said connections to university students and departments are the center’s “secret sauce.”

The greater Whitewater community benefits because all the companies that have left the technology park relocated within Whitewater for some period of time. Nine businesses have moved from others cities to the Innovation Center.

Andrew Hoeft, a UW-W graduate, started at the center in January 2012. He quickly expanded the software application company, Pinpoint Software, and worked with other businesses in the building to do so.

Hoeft founded Pinpoint in 2011 and created Date Check Pro, software used by grocery stores to know when and where products in the store are expiring. The company also created Taskle, a task management and audit application for retail stores.

In October 2012, Pinpoint moved from the technology park to downtown Whitewater and moved this year to Madison to access senior software developers.

Hoeft has maintained his Whitewater business relationships and said he’s grateful for his time at the center. If the park gets an additional building, businesses like Pinpoint might be able to stay.

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PRESS RELEASE: July 9, 2015

Madison, Wis. — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced that the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) is one of twelve new designees in the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative at yesterday’s U.S. Manufacturing Summit. Led by the U.S. Department of Commerce, IMCP is a multi-agency program designed to leverage economic development funds and accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing nationwide by supporting the development of long-term economic development strategies.

“An IMCP designation is an important signal to potential investors that these communities are a good place to spend their money, and this is smart government at work,” said Secretary Pritzker. “By breaking down silos and encouraging communities to take a more thoughtful, comprehensive approach to their strategic plans, we are ensuring that precious federal dollars are used on the most high impact projects and in a way that maximizes return on investment.”

In her remarks at the U.S. Manufacturing Summit, Secretary Pritzker singled out MadREP by commenting on our “ambitious strategy,” the only recipient to receive such an exclusive mention.

To advance existing regional strengths and leverage key regional assets, MadREP applied for IMCP designation in the Agriculture, Food, and Beverage (AFB) manufacturing sector – an industry in which the region boasts historical, locational, and infrastructural advantages. The IMCP region includes the eight-county Madison Region, augmented by six partner counties in south-central and southwestern Wisconsin for the critical role their assets play in the region’s AFB sector. Thirty projects were included in the comprehensive strategy, spanning workforce and training, supplier network, infrastructure/site development, research and innovation, trade and international investment, and operational improvement and capital access.

As an IMCP designee, MadREP and its partners will receive coordinated support to navigate federal resources from dedicated federal liaisons at eleven federal agencies, which combined have over $1 billion available in federal economic development assistance. Designees also receive branding and promotion as a Manufacturing Community to help attract private investment and partnerships. MadREP is now one of just twenty-four IMCP designees in the nation. Being awarded this designation affords MadREP the opportunity to access significantly greater federal dollars in the future for the Agriculture, Food and Beverage industry as well as other regional sectors, and will be an asset positioning the region to attract talent, technology, and resources.

“We feel that this designation positions MadREP to bring in significant federal dollars for workforce development, infrastructure, centers of excellence and global development initiatives,” says Bill White, Chairman of MadREP Board of Directors.

In receiving the designation, MadREP President Paul Jadin offered thanks to the grant writing team led by MadREP Senior Vice President of Economic Development Michael Gay, including Enterprise Development Director Craig Kettleson, Project Specialist Jin Park-Higbee, and UW-Extension State Specialist Matt Kures, who was a significant source of data for the application.

“We dedicated hundreds of hours to this project,” notes Paul Jadin. “Receiving this designation reinforces the region’s role as a critical player in the Agriculture, Food and Beverage industry, and provides significant momentum to high profile projects like Madison Public Market, training programs at regional technical colleges, and infrastructure gap analysis.”

“I am delighted that the work on which MadREP and our staff has been focusing has gained this incredible recognition. The benefits of this designation will bring economic support and expertise to assist the City of Madison and the region in furthering development of major economic projects,” says City of Madison Mayor Paul Soglin.

“This designation puts us toward a faster track to a dairy processing/management certificate, and we look forward to working with MadREP on that project and on accelerating global outreach efforts,” adds John Lucey, Director of Center for Dairy Research.

MadREP will learn more about next steps through imminent communication with the EDA. To learn more, view MadREP’s full IMCP application, or read the overview provided by the EDA.

About Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP)
MadREP is the economic development agency for the eight-county Madison Region, founded by business and community leaders to create a dynamic environment where people and businesses prosper. MadREP is the lead agent behind the region’s five-year Advance Now Strategy for economic growth, which is a five-plank platform consisting of economic competitiveness, innovation & entrepreneurship, human capital, marketing, and leadership & diversity. Through these five goal areas, MadREP and its partners aim to proactively and strategically position the region to take advantage of economic and business development opportunities. MadREP’s Manufacturing Community includes the Madison Region’s eight counties — Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk – as well as Crawford, Grant, Lafayette, Monroe, Richland, and Vernon counties.

Contact: Paul Jadin
pjadin@madisonregion.org | 608.271.0401

PRESS RELEASE: June 30, 2015

Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Reggie Newson today met with employees of Zendesk, a software company with offices in Madison, to highlight employers’ efforts to attract and retain young professionals in south-central Wisconsin.

“Employers like Zendesk recognize the value that young professionals bring to their companies and are targeting talent recruitment and retention strategies to appeal to more Millennials,” Secretary Reggie Newson said. “We need to make sure young professionals are aware that employers offer good-paying and challenging career opportunities here in Wisconsin.”

In April, during Wisconsin’s Young Professionals Week, Zendesk was one of 10 employers awarded a 2015 Bubbler Award through a new program launched by NEWaukee, a Milwaukee-area organization that specializes in social architecture and helping local employers attract and retain young talent. In the Dane County area, Shoutlet of Madison was also among the winners.

The Bubbler Award is designed to highlight employers that have the qualities that Millennials are seeking in today’s workplace: competitive salary and benefits, opportunity for advancement and employee and community engagement.

Zendesk, a Customer Service Software company, is headquartered in California and last year opened offices in Madison.

Zendesk employee Erin Hampe said, “As a recent graduate of UW-Madison and a current employee of Zendesk, I feel that Wisconsin is truly an excellent place to live and work. Wisconsin employers are pursuing young talent, recognizing the new perspectives they can bring to the workplace. At Zendesk in Madison, I am constantly challenged and given the opportunity to grow and learn as I develop skills that I can take with me the rest of my career. Zendesk and Madison are both fantastic places I’d be happy to stay for a long time!”

During today’s visit, Secretary Newson spoke with young professionals about what they look for in a workplace, and with company leaders who elaborated on their talent recruitment and retention strategies.

For more Information about Young Professionals Week and the 2015 Bubbler Awards: http://www.ypweek.com/bubbler-awards/.

CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722.

PRESS RELEASE: July 1, 2015

Madison, Wis.—Michael Gay, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP), has been awarded re-certification by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) effective July 1, 2015. Michael first achieved the Certified Economic Developer designation in 2008. CEcD recertification, required every three years, was awarded to Michael who met demanding requirements for continuing education and service to the profession.

With 26 years of economic development experience, Michael has filled many roles in Wisconsin and the Midwest, including at the City of Madison, UW-Platteville, MSA Professional Services, and the State of Wisconsin Department of Development (now Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation) prior to joining MadREP in May 2013. He has financed and marketed industrial parks, master planned and repositioned closed military bases, managed academic technology transfer and sponsored programs, and worked extensively with startup and second stage companies throughout the region. Since taking his current role at MadREP, Michael has spearheaded the organization’s initiatives related to targeted cluster and sector advancement, international business expansion and foreign direct investment, innovation and entrepreneurship, and direct company assistance, among other efforts to increase the eight-county region’s economic competitiveness. A full biography for Michael is available on MadREP’s website.

The designation of Certified Economic Development (CEcD) is a highly recognized national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment, and a commitment to professional growth. Michael first earned certification by passing a rigorous three-part, two-day examination, testing his knowledge, proficiency, and judgment in the key areas of economic development.

As highly skilled economic development practitioners, Michael and over 1,000 other Certified Economic Developers work with public officials, business leaders, and community members to create and retain high-quality jobs, establish economic vibrancy, and improve quality of live for the people they serve.

About Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP)
MadREP is the economic development agency for the eight-county Madison Region. MadREP is the lead agent behind the region’s five-year Advance Now Strategy for economic growth, which is a five-plank platform consisting of economic competitiveness, innovation & entrepreneurship, human capital, marketing, and leadership & diversity. Through these five goal areas, MadREP and its partners aim to proactively and strategically position the region to take advantage of economic and business development opportunities. The Madison Region includes Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, and Sauk Counties. www.madisonregion.org

About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base.  From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. www.iedconline.org

Contact:  Betsy Lundgren
blundgren@madisonregion.org | 608.571.0404

Excerpted from newgeography.com
By Joel Kotkin and Michael Shires

Both the Madison MSA and the Janesville MSA are among New Geography’s 2015 ranking of Cities Winning the Battle for Information Jobs. Janesville tops the list for Small Cities, while Madison ranks #6 for Medium Cities.

Overall, employment in information industries has shrunken 4.2% since 2009 to 2.7 million jobs, while total nonfarm employment in the U.S. grew by 5.1%. Yet looking at the information sector give us an important picture of how these changes have shifted jobs to certain regions and away from others. Our rankings are based on employment growth in the sector over the short-, medium- and long-term, going back to 2003, and factor in momentum — whether growth is slowing or accelerating.

If we are looking for future information hubs, one place to look would be our small and mid-sized metro area lists. Here the top ranks are dominated by college towns, including Baton Rouge, La., home to Louisiana State University, where information employment has surged 28.6% since 2009. It places third on our mid-size cities list, which also features such high-flying college towns as fourth place Provo-Orem, Utah (Brigham Young), No. 5 Durham-Chapel Hill (Duke, University of North Carolina), No. 6 Madison (University of Wisconsin), and No. 7 Ann Arbor (University of Michigan).

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