Gov. Doyle: Announces $5.9 million grant to assist displaced auto workers

Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661

EDA Grant will Fund UW-Whitewater Auto Adjustment Entrepreneurial Support Initiative

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5.9 million EDA grant to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to administer the Auto Adjustment Entrepreneurial Support Initiative to foster economic growth and job creation for six counties affected by the auto closures in southeastern Wisconsin and North Central Illinois. The grant will serve Kenosha, Racine, Rock and Walworth Counties, as well as Boone and Winnebago Counties in Illinois.

“I am proud my administration has continued to work closely with the Economic Development Administration to use community-based resources to help stimulate southeastern Wisconsin’s economy,” Governor Doyle said. “This project will assist businesses in expanding and help create a stronger economic future for Wisconsin.”

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will lead a collaborative, multidisciplinary initiative to create new economic opportunities in Southeastern Wisconsin. The initiative will:

*Facilitate the start-up, expansion, and attraction of businesses to the region;

*Implement worker retraining;

*Promote best practices for growth;

*Assist businesses that want to begin or expand the export of their products; and

*Develop clean energy businesses and jobs.

The total project cost is anticipated to exceed $17 million. Key partners include Blackhawk Technical College, Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation, Gateway Technical College, Growth Dimensions, Northern Illinois University’s Center for Government Studies, Rock Valley College, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, Rockford College, and Wisconsin Business Incubation Association.

This project builds on the Governor’s efforts to position Wisconsin for future growth. Since taking office in 2003, Governor Doyle has worked aggressively to create and retain jobs in Wisconsin. Governor Doyle’s budget last year created some of the strongest economic development tools in the nation to help businesses create jobs and get people back to work. Wisconsin now has powerful new tax credits to help manufacturers create and retain jobs, new tools to help investors create start-ups, and new incentives to spur research and development.

EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster economic growth and job creation. Its mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the global economy. For additional information on how EDA investments help distressed communities and create a positive and sustainable economic future, visit http://www.eda.gov.