Contact:
Tony Hozeny, 608/267-9661
MADISON—The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is seeking proposals from non-profit or for-profit organizations, companies or consortia to create an entrepreneurial and technology transfer center to provide statewide business services and technology commercialization assistance to entrepreneurs, Commerce Secretary Cory L. Nettles announced today.
“Gov. Jim Doyle is committed to creating a strong and vibrant entrepreneurial climate in Wisconsin,” said Secretary Nettles. “The new entrepreneurial and technology transfer center will help us nurture the promising new businesses that will create good jobs and investment in communities all across Wisconsin.”
Act 255, signed by Gov. Doyle in April 2004, authorized the creations of an entrepreneurial and technology transfer center to provide a system of support to entrepreneurs . Commerce will provide up to $1,000,000 annually to the center.
Working closely with the Bureau of Entrepreneurship within Commerce, the center will create an entrepreneurial support system to nurture companies with high growth potential. Successful applicants will demonstrate how their resources will be prioritized and directed to those businesses demonstrating the greatest potential economic impact for Wisconsin. The center will provide business planning, counseling, education and technical assistance for new and expanding companies. The center must serve all areas of the state through a minimum of four physical locations strategically located around Wisconsin. Center services must address the needs of a diverse clientele base in both the urban and rural areas. Strong emphasis will be placed on collaboration and partnership.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) and application manual are available at www.commerce.state.wi.us/act255. Proposals are due by the close of business on Oct. 15, and should be submitted to Department of Commerce, ATTN: Entrepreneurial Center RFP, Division of Business Development, 201 W. Washington Ave. , P.O. Box 7970, Madison, WI 53703. For further information about this request for proposals, contact Pam Christenson, Commerce, at pchristenson@commerce.state.wi.us or 608/267-9384.
