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Farm Events: |
Farm News: New Partner With Clark Agribusiness CentercommentsPosted: 08.23.2010
SCORE, the national nonprofit organization that is the largest source of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs, plans to work with the soon-to-be-constructed Central Wisconsin Agribusiness Innovation Center (CWAIC). Located near Owen, Wisconsin, the Center will serve as a business incubator for emerging companies in agribusiness, renewable energy, biotechnology, natural resources, food processing, forestry and related industries.
“Since the Ag Innovation Center’s mission is to help create new businesses, we want to provide all the assistance we can to ensure those companies not only survive, but thrive,” says Lee Forman, chapter chair of Central Wisconsin SCORE 535, Marshfield. “Every year, SCORE helps almost 20,000 businesses start and our work with the Center will just add to that total.”
Founded in 1964, SCORE (www.score.org) has 364 chapters throughout the United States and its territories, with 12,400 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate their time and expertise as business counselors.
“SCORE will offer vital advice and counsel to not only the entrepreneurs who will be tenants of the Center, but to other emerging ag-related businesses in the region,” says Mike Kawleski, CWAIC’s executive director. “In fact, even before our building is constructed, SCORE will provide advice and presentations to entrepreneurs using meeting space in our current CWAIC office in downtown Owen.”
When finished, the nearly 49,000-square-foot Center will contain incubator and laboratory space, a distance learning center, public meeting and event space, a commercial classroom/test kitchen, a computer lab, offices for lease and multiple “smart” classrooms. A non-profit organization, CWAIC is partnering with the City of Owen, its Community Development Authority and the Clark County Economic Development Corporation to raise approximately $5.8 million to construct the building.
The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration has already awarded a $4 million grant toward the project. This fall, the city will construct sewer and water services to the 71-acre Clark County Agribusiness Park where the Center will be located. |