Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661
MADISON—Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Milwaukee 7 Water Council has received a $172,000 grant from the US Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to study, identify and develop priorities and growth opportunities for the cluster of water technology firms in Southeastern Wisconsin, as well as focus on the new Freshwater Sciences School at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
“One of our greatest competitive advantages in a 21st Century global economy is our water – water that will help Wisconsin businesses grow and attract new businesses to our state,” Governor Doyle said. “Here in southeastern Wisconsin we have developed one of the world’s leading water clusters and this federal grant will help us move forward with these efforts.”
The strategic plan will also review and analyze key factors such as individual state, national and international regulations that drive water policy and affect national and global industry activity. The Department of Commerce (Commerce) provided technical assistance so that grantees could secure the funding for this project, which will be managed by the Milwaukee 7 multi-county business development group. Total project costs are estimated at $230,000.
In September 2008, Commerce received an $800,000 grant from the EDA to provide technical assistance to counties that were declared a disaster after the 2008 flood. Assistance will primarily be targeted to counties that are not within existing EDA-funded districts, including Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Dane, Jefferson, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Rock, Racine, and Kenosha. Commerce’s Flood Recovery Coordinators are working with affected communities, businesses and regions to support recovery strategies that help these communities and businesses restore their operations and prepare for future opportunities.
