Wisconsin Ag Connection - Proposed Agribusiness Park Kicks-Off Fund Raising Effort

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Proposed Agribusiness Park Kicks-Off Fund Raising Effort
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/03/2009

The public finally got a sneak peak of the proposed agribusiness park and farm innovation center being planned in northern Clark County. On Tuesday, the Central Wisconsin Agribusiness Innovation Center board held a kick-off meeting near Owen to discuss plans for the project and begin looking for possible donors for the facility. Backers are also hoping to attract the attention of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days Inc., should that group ever want to consider holding their annual farm show in a permanent location.

Owen Mayor Tim Swiggum says the idea for the whole concept began three years ago when a small group of people were brainstorming about how the city's location could be utilized to further the state's agricultural industry.

"After many meetings and looking at different possibilities, we decided that the City of Owen would construct an industrial park-type of area, but only for agricultural or bioenergy companies," Swiggum said. "That lead to the idea of the park then housing a farm innovation center that could be leased out to groups that need a place to call home."

The agribusiness park is made up of 71 acres of vacant farmland that was recently acquired by the city through a land-swap agreement with the county. And the 52,000 square-foot Ag Innovation Center would be used for research, education and serve as a venue to other types of agricultural innovation. If Farm Technology Days joins in on the venture, another 87 acres would be available for purchase.

CWAIC Board President Jim Hackbarth told Wisconsin Ag Connection that the cost of building the Center alone will likely be around $7.5 million--of which the first $2.5 million is already allocated through a federal economic authority grant.

"We are currently looking for donors to raise the additional $5 million; and we'd consider the possibility of selling naming rights to potential big-money sponsors," Hackbarth said. "If all goes as planned, we hope to break ground in about a year and be ready to open the doors by September 2010."

Meanwhile, several representatives from the Farm Technology Days board were on hand to hear the presentation and participate in a bus tour of the area.

Chuck Rueth was the local chairman of the committee that organized FTD near Loyal in 2005. He says he learned a lot about how the show is put together, and told Wisconsin Ag Connection that the venue would be a great fit for an eventual permanent location for the show.

"Just like in the movie, 'Field of Dreams,' I believe that if we build it, they will come," Rueth said. "The location, the amenities of the local city, and the new agribusiness park make this site an ideal setting for putting on a show like Farm Technology Days."

FTD Board Chairman Rick Klemme says that as long as counties are willing to come forward to host the event, there will not likely be a permanent site. Currently, the 'traveling show' is scheduled to be held in Dodge, Pierce, Marathon, Outagamie and Barron Counties through 2013, respectively.

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