By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Citing a lack of funds, a panel specializing in economic development within the community has decided not to move forward with constructing a second building at the Whitewater University Technology Park at this time.
The city’s Community Development Authority on July 22 discussed the proposed second-building plan and decided to instead concentrate on the existing facility and other developments throughout the community.
The technology park is a joint venture between the CDA, city government and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Funds between all three entities are tight at the moment.
“I think we need to try to attract new industries to this park, rather than build a second (facility),” CDA Chair Jeff Knight said.
In other recent business, the Whitewater CDA:
– Directed legal counsel, including City Attorney Wally McDonell, to begin proceedings to collect payment for a delinquent loan that was awarded to local business Pinpoint Software.
The CDA had awarded an unspecified amount of funds to Pinpoint through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) revolving loan fund.
After meeting behind closed doors, Knight publicly said the CDA was “calling” the loan because Pinpoint staffers have not responded to the agency’s request for backlogged payments.
– Discussed, conceptually, purchasing public property within several of the city’s tax-incremental financing (TIF) districts in an attempt to spur future developments.
The cost of making these property purchases remains an issue under review.
– Discussed a series of long-range goals that will be helmed by Knight and Executive Director Patrick Cannon. Each bullet point, in some way, relates to economic development efforts within Whitewater.
