UWGB gets $5 million for new STEM Center

Posted at 2:45 p.m. on August 8, 2018

FACILITY TO SERVE COUNTY AND UNIVERSITY

MADISON – The State of Wisconsin Building Commission on Wednesday, August 8, met to approve several key projects across the state including a proposal to release $5 million to help fund construction of the Brown County STEM Innovation Center on the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Green Bay campus.

The three-story office and laboratory building will accommodate a new mechanical engineering program to meet the growing talent needs of manufacturers. Other tenants at the center will include the Einstein Project, a nonprofit organization that supports STEM education; UW-Extension Agriculture and Horticulture programs; and the Brown County Land and Water Conservation offices.

“There are more people working in our state than ever before, and initiatives like the Brown County STEM Innovation Center will help meet the ongoing need for well-trained and highly skilled talent in Northeast Wisconsin,” Governor Scott Walker said. “I included $5 million for this project in the state’s capital budget to help strengthen our workforce, and I thank members of the Building Commission for today’s approval.”

The Commission also approved designs for a $2 million reconstruction of the Eagle Tower observation structure at Peninsula State Park in Door County. The new, 60-foot public structure will offer full accessibility at all viewing levels by individuals with disabilities. The previous tower was built in 1923 and deconstructed in 2016 after being deemed structurally unsafe. The project will also include site work, restoration of the existing Civilian Conservation Corps stone wall, as well as new visitor kiosks, social media interaction, interpretive and educational components.

The project is being supported through funds raised by Friends of Peninsula State Park and the local community, along with state funds and a federal grant. Construction is set to begin in late 2018 with full completion targeted for June 2019.

The Building Commission is chaired by the governor and the following state legislators: State Senator Terry Moulton; State Senator Jerry Petrowski; State Senator Janis Ringhand; State Representative Rob Swearingen; State Representative Terry Katsma; and State Representative Jill Billings.