WED AM News: WEDC board approves up to $15.5M in tax credits for Kikkoman expansion; State getting $64.2M federal solar grant

April 24, 2024

— The WEDC Board of Directors has approved up to $15.5 million in performance-based tax credits for Kikkoman Foods’ planned $800 million expansion, Gov. Tony Evers announced.

That total project dollar figure covers expanding the Japanese company’s existing soy sauce brewing plant in Walworth and building a new 240,000-square-foot facility in Jefferson, according to yesterday’s release. These efforts are expected to create 83 new jobs over 12 years.

Evers in a statement yesterday highlighted the economic relationship between Wisconsin and Japan, noting the state has more than $700 million in exports to Japan each year. Kikkoman Corporation in 1973 opened Kikkoman Foods Inc. in Walworth, making the city home to one of the first production facilities built in the United States by a Japanese company.

“Whether it’s providing thousands of local jobs, bolstering our economy, or providing the state and world with phenomenal soy sauce, Kikkoman is doing good work across Wisconsin and the country, and I am grateful for their continued partnership and expansion in Wisconsin,” Evers said.

The company in recent years has been searching around the country for where to establish a third manufacturing facility, after a second site was opened in California in 1998. It landed on a 100-acre site in Jefferson in southern Wisconsin, where a new facility will produce soy sauce and other products including teriyaki sauce, according to the release.

A groundbreaking on the site is slated for June, and the company plans to start shipments in fall of 2026.

Yuzaburo Mogi, honorary CEO and chairman of the board of Kikkoman Corp., says the company values Walworth for its “great market access, outstanding workforce, central location for raw materials, pure water, and the open-hearted spirit of partnership” among the locals.

“We chose Jefferson for those same reasons, and we look forward to expanding our footprint in Wisconsin and establishing a supply chain with increased stability in North America, Kikkoman’s largest overseas market,” he said in a statement.

See more in the release.

— Wisconsin has been selected for a $62.4 million federal grant through the EPA’s Solar for All initiative.

The dollars will be used to fund new solar energy systems for low- to moderate-income households in the state, according to the guv’s office. The state funding announced yesterday is part of a $7 billion round of awards impacting more than 900,000 U.S. households.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. underwent the competitive grant process to land the funding, the release shows. WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes says the grant “represents a huge step forward” in the state’s efforts to create a renewable energy system that works for everyone.

WEDC says the state’s Solar for All program will serve “as many low-income Wisconsin residents as possible.” About 29% of the state’s households are considered low-income, according to the release.

The EPA expects awards to be finalized this summer, and WEDC says it plans to start funding projects later this year or in early 2025.

Evers yesterday said the investments funded through the grant program will help the state keep working toward 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, create jobs, reduce reliance on out-of-state energy sources and lower energy costs.

“This will help support the important benefits of renewable solar energy for low- and moderate-income households across our state through rooftop residential, multifamily, and community solar projects,” Evers said in a statement.

While low-income households can save money on energy through access to solar power, the cost of installing a new solar system can be prohibitive. The average cost for a 5 kilowatt rooftop array is between $14,000 and $19,000, not counting federal tax credits or local incentives, the guv’s office notes.

The Wisconsin Solar for All effort will use private capital to “maximize” the impact of the federal funding and develop a financial assistance program that will last longer than the initial five-year program timeline, according to the release.

The Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin is applauding the grant award, noting the Solar for All program will boost access to renewable energy for about 15,000 homes in the state.

“This funding will help advance environmental justice efforts by enabling low-income households to access clean, resilient solar power, lowering energy costs and creating good jobs in underserved areas,” the group said in a statement. “The Solar for All program is a down payment on Wisconsin’s clean economy future, where every community can participate and benefit.”

See Evers’ release.

— Racine officials are touting Dominion Properties’ Hotel Verdant project as one of the first hotels in the state to achieve a national LEED Gold certification for sustainability.

The developer opened the four-story hotel for business in August 2023 after expanding and restoring the former Zahn’s department store, according to a release from the city. It later received the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification this month, the second-best rank under this framework for green buildings.

“The property’s unique sustainable elements, from renewable energy use, to eco-minded transportation offerings and food & beverage operations, go hand-in-hand with Racine’s spirit of community and appreciation for the region’s natural beauty,” Dominion Properties CEO Michael O’Connor said in a statement.

The hotel has solar panels and wind turbines on the roof as well as a geothermal system for heating or cooling the building. It also has 10 electric vehicle charging stations, and is in the process of adding dozens more, O’Connor said in an earlier interview.

With the hotel’s recent certification, Racine now has 14 LEED-certified commercial buildings, the release shows.

“The city of Racine’s growth is improving both its economy and environment,” Mayor Cory Mason said in the release. “The Hotel Verdant is a great example. It is creating jobs and bringing more visitors to the city, while attracting national recognition for its sustainable technology.”

See the release.

Listen to an earlier podcast with O’Connor.

— UW-Madison says it will conduct a nationwide search for a new leader of the College of Engineering with current dean Ian Robertson announcing plans to step down.

The university this week said Robertson will leave the post once a successor is chosen after more than 11 years leading the engineering program. He will continue as a faculty member in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, according to the release.

“At its core, the practice of engineering focuses on innovations that make the world a better place, and I hope that people remember my tenure as dean for impact that centers around people,” Robertson said in a statement. “I am profoundly grateful for the privilege of leading this extraordinary college.”

See the release and see more on Robertson’s accomplishments at the university.

— Applications for the Spring 2024 gALPHA Urban League are now being accepted through May 10, organizers announced.

The four-week business accelerator works with Black entrepreneurs to provide educational components, mentorship, networking opportunities and more.

The program will run from May 20 to June 18 at the Black Business Hub in Madison.

Applications can be done here.

See more at Madison Startups.

— Faith Technologies Incorporated recently received three different regional and national safety awards, the Menasha-based company announced.

FTI landed first place in the Specialty Contractors Division during the 2024 Construction Safety Excellence Awards, put on by Associated General Contractors of America. The business also received a National Safety Merit Award from Associated Builders and Contractors during the ABC Convention 2024, according to the release.

Meanwhile, the company also got second place in the Subcontractor Division in the Midwest Construction Safety Conference. The award was given by The Builders, a chapter of the AGC based in Kansas City.

“At FTI, we continuously pursue a goal of zero safety incidents, and we’re proud to be acknowledged for our commitment by esteemed safety-conscious organizations across the nation,” Rocky Rowlett, vice president of safety at FTI, said in a statement.

See the release.

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