Contact:
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661
Jim Rice, Information Technology Association of Wisconsin
MADISON-Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that the Information Technology Association of Wisconsin (ITAWi) will receive a $200,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to help fund critical initiatives in workforce development, new company creation, company growth and capital formation for the information technology (IT) sector. Launched in June 2005, ITAWi the first statewide organization focused on the needs and requirements of this sector.
“My Grow Wisconsin Agenda 2005 calls for promoting the creation of technology companies across Wisconsin,” Gov. Doyle said. “I pleased that we can assist ITAWi in workforce development and bringing value and resources to new companies.”
“Our membership has been clear and consistent in their commitment to growing the state’s IT sector, and we’re thrilled to be launching a Workforce Development Workshop series to augment the good work being done at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin system around the state,” said Jim Rice, President and CEO of ITAWi. “With the strong support of the Department of Commerce, we’re also able to reach across the state to aspiring IT entrepreneurs to help speed the formation and growth of their companies.”
ITAWi has also entered into a collaborative agreement with the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network to help develop IT companies across Wisconsin. “One of our goals is to improve the growth and survival of start-up companies in Wisconsin,” said Erica Kauten, Director of the UW-Small Business Development Center. “ITAWi’s participation will add a welcome addition to our programs.”
IT firms and firms heavily reliant on IT represent $14.3 billion in revenues, 50,000 employees and $3.8 billion in payroll in Wisconsin.
ITAWi’s mission is to bring IT stakeholders together to create a thriving environment for firms who depend on or produce IT solutions, to start, grow, and succeed in the worldwide marketplace.
The Members of ITAWi include AnswerPort, Ascent Partners, Robert W. Baird & Co., Berbee Information Networks Corporation, Capital Data, Inc., CDI Business Solutions, CGI-AMS, Cisco Systems, Inc., CompuPros Inc., CUNA Mutual Group, Extract Systems LLC, Fiserv, Inc., Fox Valley Technical College, Frazier Technology Ventures, Greenbrier and Russel, Inc., IMS, Inacom Information Systems, INI Global, Madison Area Technical College, Manpower, Inc., Mason Wells, Merge Healthcare, Metavante Corporation, Miller Brewing Co., New Resources, Northwoods Software Development, Inc., Quarles & Brady, LLP, SECURA Insurance Companies, Silicon Logic Engineering, Silver Train Inc., Small Tree Communications, LLC., Sonic Foundry Inc., Stratagem Inc., Thin Air Software, VCPI, Venture Investors, Venture Out, Veridian Homes, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company, and Xorbix Technologies.
Sponsors of ITAWi include Manpower, Metavante Corporation, Madison Gas and Electric Company, Sonic Foundry, Foley & Lardner LLP, IMS, RVE Consulting, Spectracom, WE Energies and Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, S.C.
Major contributors and founding supporters of ITAWi include the Helen Bader Foundation, e-Innovate, Accelerate Madison, Wisconsin IT Leadership Association (WITLA) and the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation.
For more information about ITAWi, contact Jim Rice, president and CEO, 608/250-1904, ext. 1, ceo@ITAWI.org.
