Governor Doyle Announces $500,000 for Hodan Center Expansion

MADISON — Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Iowa County will receive a $500,000 grant from the Community Development Block Grant–Public Facilities (CDBG-PF) program of the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to fund the construction of an addition to the Hodan Center, Inc.

“Investing in infrastructure is an important part of enhancing the ability of communities and businesses to grow,” Governor Doyle said. “That’s why we must continue our support for projects like this that will improve overall community development.”

Iowa County plans to construct a10,000-sq.-ft., one-story building adjoining the present Hodan Center, which employs people with disabilities to make jams, pickles, sauces, soups, as well as cookie, pancake and dip mixes under the Recipes for Independence Program. The total project cost is $1,520,000. The project will create six to ten part-time jobs for people with severe disabilities, four full-time supervisory staff jobs and will retain over 75-part time jobs for people with severe disabilities.

Commerce administers the CDBG Program. These CDBG-PF grants play an important role in helping communities finance a wide range of projects designed to enhance the economic vitality of the community through the provision of community infrastructure, the expansion of tax base, job creation, and increased private investment in downtowns.

For more information on Commerce programs and services, contact the Commerce area development manager at http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-AreaDevManagers.html.