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MadREP Report: November 16, 2017
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Sierra Nevada Corporation Expands Aerospace in the Madison Region
Wisconsin is an established leader in the aerospace industry, with
more than 200 sector-related companies employing 24,000 people. The state boasts the cutting-edge research and development in nanotechnology, engineering, power and control systems, and composite materials that fuels the industry. And, we have the highly-skilled talent thanks to seventeen institutions of higher education that awarded over 4,000 degrees relevant to the industry in 2015.
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Astronauts harvesting first lettuce crop on International Space Station
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The Madison Region has
a rising star in the aerospace sector in the
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), formerly known as ORBITEC. Founded in 1988, ORBITEC began as a 3-person company and has leveraged the intellectual and resource capacity in Wisconsin over its 30 years in the industry. SNC/ORBITEC focuses on propulsion and environmental systems for space applications. It developed the small space-based greenhouse known as "Veggie," which astronauts continue to use to produce fresh food such as lettuce as well as conduct plant science in space. The company has also recently launched several other systems to the International Space Station, and is participating in development of crew and cargo environmental control and thermal control systems for future flight vehicles.
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Vortex engine testing in Wisconsin
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With locations in Madison and Middleton, SNC/ORBITEC also operates a non-toxic rocket engine test facility in the former Badger Ammunition Plant in Sauk County, a state-of-the-art facility that enables testing of small to medium rocket engines for government and private sector needs. SNC has about 3,000 employees in 34 locations, has
added well over 100 high-technology jobs, and is increasing its aerospace capabilities within the state. The company continues its growth and expansion, recently moving forward with a 43,000 square-foot office/manufacturing/lab expansion in Middleton, to which they plan to locate about 50 employees in 2017.
The skilled workforce at SNC/ORBITEC and throughout the Madison Region, along with our world-class academic resources, will ensure our continued leadership in the high-tech industries of today and tomorrow.
Thank you to Tom Crabb, VP of ORBITEC Business Unit for contributing to this story.
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Funding Opportunity: Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Lab) Grant Program
Application Deadline: December 14
Applications are now open for the third round of Fabrication Laboratories (Fab Labs) Grant Program funding through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The purpose of the program is to help Wisconsin public school districts create or expand fab labs. Fab Labs are high-technology workshops equipped with computer-controlled additive and subtractive manufacturing components, such as 3D printers, laser engravers, computer numerical control routers and/or plasma cutters. This program prepares students for the jobs of the 21st century by helping public school districts provide equipment for students to learn and practice science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) skills. Public school districts may apply for up to $25,000. View program information at
inwisconsin.com/fablabs.
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Industry Spotlight:
Tech companies get foothold in downtown Janesville
Tech companies such as Foremost Media, SHINE Medical Technologies, and N1 Critical Technologies are a growing force in downtown Janesville. Local officials estimate such businesses now employ about 300 people as larger companies move out of startup spaces elsewhere in the city. These businesses have emerged as one driver of downtown revitalization, along with the nascent redevelopment of retail and office spaces and large-scale plans such as the city's ARISE riverfront strategy. CEOs at the three downtown tech companies talked about what it's like to work and grow downtown and the prospects for other high-tech startups there. All the CEOs said a leading reason they moved downtown was the city's willingness to invest in their growth through tax increment financing incentives. They also noted that city officials have worked closely with them on their plans. Finally, they believe the city's focus on revitalizing downtown through ARISE will help tech companies such as theirs recruit and retain workers.
Community Highlight:
Baraboo-Dells Airport's economic impact estimated at $15M
The Baraboo-Wisconsin Dells Regional Airport produced nearly $15 million in economic output last year, according to a study by the state Department of Transportation's Bureau of Aeronautics. Airport overseers said the facility's economic impact should grow after the main runway is widened next year. The facility supported the equivalent of 104 jobs paying nearly $4.5 million in wages. "It's pretty impressive to think what our little airport does for the region," said airport manager Cheryl Giese, who also serves as the city of Baraboo's finance director. Classified as a mid-size airport, it saw nearly 30,000 takeoffs and landings last year, and is home to 44 aircrafts. Visitor spending due to the airport was calculated at $4.4 million, supporting 54 jobs with a payroll of $1.5 million. Suppliers to the airport and businesses hosting air travelers -- hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues -- benefited as well. This activity generated $4 million in economic output, supporting 31 jobs that paid more than $1.1 million in wages.
Company Profile:
Lands' End announces two-year partnership with The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel and Lands' End have signed a two-year partnership for the Dodgeville clothing and home goods company to supply outerwear and apparel to the network's on-camera meteorologists in the field -- both for covering severe weather and for daily forecasts. The arrangement began last week, with The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore making the formal announcement live from Dodgeville, in front of the Iowa County Courthouse. Dave Shull, CEO of the Weather Group, called the arrangement "a natural fit" for the two companies. "The Weather Channel and Lands' End are both iconic American brands that remain authentic to their roots while innovating for today and the future," Shull said. Lands' End spokeswoman Michele Casper said the partnership is the first of its kind for Lands' End. "It's going to give us a lot of great exposure to new customers," she said.
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Business Expansion:
Exact Sciences chooses former Spectrum Brands site in Madison for new lab
The Madison cancer test company -- Exact Sciences Corp -- announced that it has bought the former Spectrum Brands property on the city's Southwest Side and will expand there. Exact will build a second laboratory at the site to process its Cologuard DNA-based stool test to screen for colorectal cancer, creating 250 jobs over time. The new lab will be 137,000 square feet with enough room to handle 2 million tests a year. The company has more than 1,100 employees, with more than 850 of them in the Madison area. In documents provided to the city several months ago, the project was estimated at $57.3 million. "We think, over time, there will be a lot of employees who will be able to work for Exact Sciences. We think we can have a strong impact on the community," Exact CEO Kevin Conroy said in an interview.
Company Profile:
Yumbutter is nuts for change
Yumbutter co-founders Matt D'Amour and Adrian Reif launched their nut butter business in 2010 in the back of the Bloom Bake Shop kitchen in Middleton. The company's quirky flavors quickly helped it become a staple on grocery store shelves around Madison. But then things stagnated, and issues of scale revealed themselves. Then, a chance meeting in 2013 with Food Finance Institute's Tera Johnson gave Reif and D'Amour a choice. The choice was to stay small and local with a strong mission, but ultimately a smaller impact, or launch the product nationally in an effort to become a widespread influential voice. They decided to make the necessary moves to become a national brand. Earlier this year, Yumbutter merged with RP's Pasta and Ona Treats to form Tribe 9 Foods. The newly combined crew moved their offices and manufacturing into a 67,000-square foot building on the east side of Madison, and they're taking steps to make the facility as sustainable as possible.
Startup Scene:
UW entrepreneurial pipeline lands Lactic Solutions in biofuels marketplace
When co-founder and CEO of Lactic Solutions Jim Steele thinks back over the last seven years, from the early research on biofuels, followed by a dream of moving the technology to the marketplace, and now the acquisition of the company by Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits last month, he is thankful for the network of UW-Madison entrepreneurial experts. Steele's advice for anyone else at UW-Madison with an idea for a product or interested in commercializing a discovery, is to get plugged into the university's entrepreneurship pipeline early and take advantage of the tools available for turning those ideas into commercially viable solutions. The combination of WARF and UW-Madison resources has paid off for Lactic Solutions, as the startup company recently completed the cycle of innovation and ended up with several offers. "Go to D2P, go to WARF and go to gBETA," says wife of co-founder Peggy Steele, who was brought on board for business development. "They are experts in their areas. There is a lot of help at the university that we became aware of as we were going through this process. D2P was instrumental in helping us get all those dots connected."
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Funding Opportunity: Brownfields Assessment Funds
The Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM) program has approximately $350,000 available to conduct Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments at closing or closed manufacturing sites. Visit this website for more information about the WAM program.
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Edible Startup Summit
November 17-18, 8am
American Family Center, Madison
Hear from successful food entrepreneurs and business development experts, connect with government and non-profit resources, and engage in discussion and networking to help your food business grow.
Learn more.
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US-EU Trade Relations in the Face of Current Challenges
November 29, 7:30-9am
M3 Insurance, Madison
This Madison International Trade Association event will cover the role of Germany and the EU in international trade, the consequences of Brexit for EU-US relations, challenges to US-EU trade relations, possible approaches to China, and the German view of protectionism.
Register online.
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WIN Luncheon: Learn What's New with Exact Sciences
November 28, 11:30am-1:30pm
Sheraton Hotel Madison
Exact Sciences CFO Jeff Elliot will discuss the expansion of Exact Sciences and offer market perspectives on the life sciences industry at the upcoming Wisconsin Innovation Network luncheon.
Find out more.
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Badger Bioneers 2017
November 29, 8:30am-5pm
Gordon Dining & Event Center, Madison
Explore the idea of humanity -- the duality of celebrating diversity while deepening connections at Sustain Dane's Badger Bioneers Conference, where you can gain the skills, connections, and inspiration you need to make an impact. Register online. |
State of the Sector
December 12, 8-10am
Accuray, Madison
Accelerate Madison presents a new signature event that will bring together business leaders to assess the Greater Madison's current and projected economic standing as a global technology leader. At the 12/12 event, new data and analysis will be released in partnership with MadREP and UW-Extension.
Learn more.
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who support our region's economic future through their generous financial contributions.
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