WEDC Bulletin

An Economic Development Update from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation


Governor Evers announces Catalent Biologics expansion in Madison

Catalent Biologics’ cell line development and biomanufacturing site in Madison is expanding with a $75 million investment expected to create at least 145 new jobs by the end of 2021, Governor Tony Evers, local leaders and company officials announced.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the project by authorizing up to $1,300,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits Catalent will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period.

Expected to be completed by mid-2021, the expansion will more than double Catalent’s commercial biomanufacturing capacity at the site.


Huffcutt Concrete LLC expands operations in Lake Hallie

Officials from WEDC, local leaders and company officials celebrated a ribbon cutting as Huffcutt Concrete LLC officially opened its new facility in Lake Hallie, a $20 million project that expects to add 150 new jobs over the next five years.

WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $1.25 million in state income tax credits over three years. The actual amount of tax credits Huffcutt will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period.

The new facility will be a 77,000-square-foot, highly automated concrete wall panel production plant designed to meet the needs of an untapped concrete wall panel market in the U.S., as well as maintain Huffcutt’s current product lines. The company purchased 10 acres adjacent to its current facility in the Village of Lake Hallie for the development.


City of Ashland receives $155,400 state grand to assist in renovation of community child care center

The City of Ashland is receiving a $155,400 state grant to help finance the renovation of an existing commercial building into a brand-new child care facility.

The Community Development Investment Grant from WEDC will support a complete interior renovation of the future EverGrow Learning Center (EGLC) near the downtown area in order to serve the residents of Ashland and surrounding communities with adequate childcare options, thus allowing for increased participation in the labor force.

The EGLC project is a partnership between the City of Ashland and the EGLC Board of Directors, a collaboration of public and private entities to address a need for child care in the Ashland community. The Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board (NWWIB) and the Ashland Area Development Corporation have been overseeing the development for the past three years.


Redline Plastics expands operations in Manitowoc

Redline Plastics LLC, a family-owned and -operated manufacturer of molded and vacuum-formed plastics, as well as leather and textile cut-and-sew products, is expanding its facility operations in Manitowoc—a $12 million project expected to create 44 jobs over the next three years.

WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $150,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits Redline Plastics will receive is contingent upon the actual number of jobs created and amount of capital investment.

The project includes the construction of a new 117,500-square-foot manufacturing facility in Manitowoc, complete with a manufacturing warehouse on the ground level and 11,000 square feet of office space on a mezzanine.

The facility will house rotational molding, vacuum forming and cut-and-sew operations for Redline Plastics and Dowco Powersports. The project is expected to be completed in November 2019.


Specialty Cheese Company Inc. expands operations in Reeseville

Specialty Cheese Company Inc., one of the nation’s top manufacturers of ethnic cheeses and baked cheese snacks, is expanding its facility operations in Reeseville—a $1.65 million project expected to create 36 jobs over the next two years.

WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $100,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits Specialty Cheese Company will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period.

The project includes plans to expand Specialty Cheese Company’s Reeseville facility to allow the company to further increase capacity for its new snack line and improve capacity for its fresh cheese products. The company also plans to remodel a portion of its factory to accommodate new equipment and increase capacity for manufacturing.


City of Onalaska receives $250,000 state grant to support development of 102-unit residential building

The City of Onalaska is receiving a $250,000 state grant to help finance the construction of the Great River Residences located in the city’s downtown.

The Community Development Investment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will support the new construction of a 102-unit multi-family residential building as well as a 2,000-square-foot commercial space to accommodate a bistro or café. The Great Rivers Residences will be built on a currently vacant lot—a blighted former industrial property—owned by the City of Onalaska.

This project has the potential to turn the underutilized land into a high-value, mixed-use development with direct access to waterfront amenities and public parks. Providing over 100 residential units and additional restaurant or retail businesses to enrich Onalaska’s downtown, the new development is expected to add more than $200,000 a year in additional property tax revenues.


Fresenius Kabi chooses Kenosha County for regional distribution center

Fresenius Kabi, a global health care company, is establishing a regional distribution center in Pleasant Prairie. The multimillion-dollar investment is expected to create 95 jobs over the next four years.

WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $500,000 in state income tax credits over the next four years. The actual amount of tax credits Fresenius Kabi will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created during that period.

The project includes a 590,000-square-foot facility at Stateline 94 Corporate Park in Pleasant Prairie that will serve as a regional distribution center for Fresenius Kabi’s Midwestern and Southern customers within the U.S. The project is expected to create 95 jobs, and positions will include distribution, quality assurance, inventory, maintenance and office management. The company expects to invest more than $15 million to complete the project.