MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU) — The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has named the Yellowstone Industrial Park in Marshfield a certified site, meaning it’s considered shovel-ready for development.
City Administrator Steve Barg says that puts the 120-acre park at the top of the list for companies who want to expand their presence in Central Wisconsin by letting them know work has already been done on the site. “We spent about 16 months working on the application. We needed to demonstrate utility availability and the ability to handle the needs of a company- within reason. The environmental studies, rail studies- what does it cost to get rail to portions of the property? Are the soils suitable for development? There were a whole lot of things [we had to check] to make the claim that we are shovel-ready.”
He compared the certification to getting pre-qualified for a mortgage or doing background on a potential business partner. “If you wanted to get me involved in your company [you’d ask] ‘Steve, do you have any financial backing? What skills can you bring to the table?’ Otherwise, it’s just a wing and a prayer.
“This is a property that’s been studied. Utilities have been brought to locations that allow them to be extended onto your site. All the things are in place for someone who wants to get going,” added Barg.
Barg says he would welcome any business to the site, but he’d particularly like to see someone who complements the city’s current offerings. That could mean someone who manufactures a part for something made across town. He says that would bring “synergy” to the city’s manufacturing options while providing good-paying jobs and an additional tax base.
“We’d also want [environmentally friendly companies] that want to plug in beyond their formal role. Be active in the community in some way, get in this community and really make a difference for themselves and others,” added Barg.
WEDC made the announcement on Monday at the park, located off Yellowstone Drive in Marshfield. Other Certified Sites in Central Wisconsin include the Wausau Business Park, East Park Commerce Center in Stevens Point, Rapids East Commerce Center in Wisconsin Rapids, and Business Park West in Stanley.
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