Madison Region Economic Partnership: MadREP Board of Directors issues resolution on university funding

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Madison, Wis.—The Board of Directors of the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) has issued a resolution on Governor Scott Walker’s proposed funding cuts to the University of Wisconsin System.

In recognition of the tremendous economic development impact of the UW System schools within the eight-county Madison Region – including UW-Madison and UW-Whitewater, as well as the two-year institutions UW-Rock County and UW-Sauk County – the Board voted at its March 18 meeting to issue a resolution urging the Governor and the Legislature to reduce the level of budget cuts to the UW-System and pass a budget that maintains the excellence and impact of our local Universities.

“Though the MadREP Board of Directors rarely weighs in on legislative matters, we determined that the threat facing the UW System by these proposed funding cuts is so profound that such an action is warranted,” says Bill White, Chairman of the MadREP Board of Directors. “The University of Wisconsin is a dynamic economic engine that represents one of the region and state’s most important competitive advantages for its role educating our workforce, performing world-class research, and creating new jobs and companies.”

The resolution in its entirety is included on the second page of the attached document.

Please note that the UW-Madison economic impact numbers included in the resolution are accurate as of the Board’s March 18, 2015 vote; updated economic impact numbers are available in UW-Madison’s report released on April 14, 2015.

About Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP)

MadREP is the economic development agency for the eight-county Madison Region. MadREP is the lead agent behind the region’s five-year Advance Now Strategy for economic growth, which is a five-plank platform consisting of economic competitiveness, innovation & entrepreneurship, human capital, marketing, and leadership & diversity. Through these five goal areas, MadREP and its partners aim to proactively and strategically position the region to take advantage of economic and business development opportunities. The Madison Region includes Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, and Sauk Counties.