Dept. of Commerce: Governor Doyle announces $300,000 grant for Wisconsin Counties Association

Contact:  Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661

MADISON—Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Wisconsin Counties Association has received a $300,000 grant from the US Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to improve economic development in flood-affected counties.

“Wisconsin’s people and communities reacted to the 2008 floods with spirit, hard work and generosity,” Governor Doyle said. “I’m pleased to announce these additional federal funds that will spur economic development in southeastern Wisconsin.”

“We are very pleased to work with the federal and state governments to provide assistance to people who are attempting to put their lives back together after last summer’s floods,” stated Mark O’Connell, executive director of the Wisconsin Counties Association.  “Economic activity and job creation will help those in need tremendously,”

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) provided technical assistance so that grantees could secure the funding for this project.  Funds will be used to provide an economic development professional, who will serve all 30 flood-affected counties.  The project will focus on creating and producing marketing strategies that emphasizes the use of regional assets for industrial growth.  Additionally, it will provide a public awareness campaign to promote interest in these assets.  Wisconsin Counties Association and Discover Wisconsin will be producing four television programs to support the assets identified through the research. The total project cost is $627,548.

Counties participating in this project include Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Lafayette, La Crosse, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago.

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.  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.