Contacts:
Gati Grundmanis, Department of Transportation, 608-266-3488
Anne Lupardus, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Governor Jim Doyle today presented a $900,000 Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant to Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz to help support Covance Laboratories’ efforts to expand and create new jobs in the community.
“Investing in quality transportation is vital for businesses that are looking to expand in Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “By providing these funds, we are helping create quality jobs here in Madison while improving access to the Covance Laboratories’ facility.”
The $900,000 grant covers a portion of the costs to improve access to Covance Laboratories’ facility. Covance Laboratories is constructing a 240,000 square foot expansion with a total investment of $57.755 million in Madison.
The project will reconstruct 1,300 feet of Pearson Street, 1,700 feet of Piersdorff Street, and 450 feet of Wright Street, as well as construct a 1,200 foot extension of Piersdorff Street from Wright Street to US 51. Sidewalks, bike lanes and storm sewer work will also be included in the project. The city of Madison will provide the remaining funding. The project has a total cost of $1,800,000.
“TEA grants demonstrate how state and local governments can partner with private industry to help make a difference in a community,” Governor Doyle said. “This TEA grant, combined with Covance’s robust growth, will directly and indirectly create 500 jobs – including 181 new jobs at Covance Laboratories. The jobs will generate nearly $13 million in wages every year for Wisconsin citizens.”
“This grant is great news for Madison’s economic development efforts,” Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said. “Covance is key employer in our community, providing hundreds of good-paying jobs. Today’s grant will enable Covance to continue creating jobs and supporting the local economy.”
“Covance is committed to growing within Madison and providing more jobs to local families,” said Wendel Barr, Corporate Senior Vice President and President, Covance Early Development, North America. “This TEA grant is another demonstration of the support we have from the state of Wisconsin. We thank Governor Doyle and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for making this grant possible, and the city of Madison for its continued assistance.”
Covance Laboratories is a world-class contract research laboratory testing new products for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical, and food additive industries.
Transportation Economic Assistance grants are awarded to local governments, businesses and consortiums for transportation projects that attract employers to Wisconsin or encourage businesses to stay or expand in state. Grants of up to $1 million per project in state segregated funds are available for transportation improvements that are essential for economic development. A 50 percent match is required and can come from any combination of local, federal or private funds or in-kind services. The project must begin within three years, have the local government’s endorsement and benefit the public.
Since its creation in 1987, the TEA grant program has invested more than $61.54 million in 244 projects in Wisconsin. TEA grants have directly and indirectly created 58,924 jobs at 263 businesses throughout the state.
