ready, set, build - report 2.14.12

8/3/2019 Ready, Set, Build - Report 2.14.12

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Ready, Set, Build!

S t a t e o f W i s c o n s i n

G o v e r n o r S c o t t W a l k e r

F e b r u a r y , 2 0 1 2

Open For BusinessProviding shovel-ready sites to give Wisconsin acompetitive edge and encourage business growthand expansion.


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Ready, Set, Build!

BACKGROUND

The 2010 Be Bold study identified the

lack of a shovel-ready sites program as acompetitive weakness for Wisconsin, andnoted that most other Midwest-regionstates offer one form or another of ashovel-ready or a certified site program.

UScertifiedsites.com lists 19 states withcertified or shovel-ready programs,including the nearby states of Indiana (30sites certified to-date), Michigan (140),Missouri (1) and Ohio (19).

During the 2010 campaign for governor,Governor Scott Walker announced along-term outreach plan to aggressivelymarket our state and let job creators knowthat WISCONSIN IS OPEN FORBUSINESS once again.

Thisplan outlined a process, called

Ready, Set, Build!, that wouldensure job creators the ability to startexpanding right away.

Job creators in all parts of Wisconsin haveexpressed frustration over dealing withunresponsive and over-burdensomegovernment in the past. For far too long,Wisconsins regulatory and permittingprocesses have slowed economic growth.

When a small business is looking to buildor expand, they are often unaware ofsuitable properties, or face an inability toensure the timely provision of publicservices and the prospect of delaysassociated with environmental and other

state and local permitting processes.

These factors mean money and time lost,and has put Wisconsin at a competitivedisadvantage in competing for newprojects. However, the real losses are feltby Wisconsin businesses looking to hireand Wisconsin workers looking for work.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Shovel-Ready Sites

Shovel-ReadySites


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Ready, Set, Build!

To help create a positive business climate in Wisconsin, Gov. Walker

directed the WEDC to create a certified site program, Ready, Set,

Build!, that takes a completely different approach to the siteselection and permitting processes.

The Ready, Set, Build!program will:

Identify up to 10 different shovel-ready sites (minimum site size=50acres) annually for each of the 3subsequent years for economicdevelopment throughoutWisconsin

Reviewand approve for pre-certification these identified sites(if site meets criteria)

Certify-ready the pre-certifiedsites, which will let job creatorsknow they can begin buildingimmediately.

ORGANIZATION

The Wisconsin Economic DevelopmentCorporation (WEDC) will provideultimate oversight of the site certification

program, Ready, Set, Build!. Thespecific WEDC division that will overseethe program will be the Economic andCommunity Development Division.

A contracted-independent third partyconsultant will assist the WEDC in thedevelopment and the administration of

the program.

IDENTIFY

Up to 10 shovel-ready

sites each year for 3

years.

REVIEW

Approve for pre-

certification if sites

meets criteria.

CERTIFY

Available for

immediate building.


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Ready, Set, Build!

The consultant will develop the processand forms necessary for the function ofthe program, and will identify, review andapprove for pre-certification up to 10 sites

annually for each of 3 subsequent years.

Once a site is identified and pre-certified,the WEDC will declare the site location tobe certified-ready, which will let jobcreators know they can begin buildingimmediately.

DEVELOPMENT

The consultant will be responsible toassist WEDC in the development of the

site certification program. As part of theReady, Set, Build! process, theconsultant will develop the programsapplication form and recommend basicrequirements for site criteria, with theWEDCs ultimate decision of approval ofall basic requirements.

The consultant should also recommendthe type of verification required, ifapplicable, for each criterion that is used

in the evaluation process.

Pre-certifying building sites will allow job creators in

Wisconsin and around the world to find the perfect

location for their expansion knowing they can begin

building immediately.


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Ready, Set, Build!

APPLICATION ANDREVIEW PROCESS

The requirement for a prospective sitesize is 50 acres or greater. Applications,along with a fee (amount to be determinedwhen WEDC finalizes contract withconsultant), to the site certificationprogram may be submitted by localgovernments, county governments,property owners, county economicdevelopment agencies, or a partnership ofany of the above.

All applications submitted for evaluationwill be accepted once per year by asubmission date determined by WEDC.

STEPS IN THE PROCESS:


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Ready, Set, Build!

Criteria for

Potential Sites:

OTHER CRITERIA include:local/regional transportationinfrastructure, quality of the local laborforce and the ability of the community tosupport a large project.

Ownership isverified and owner

is willing to sell.

Price andconditions areestablished.

AVAILABILITY

Utilities must be inplace within 180days of purchaseincluding water,

sewer, gas,electrical, telephone

and internet

UTILITIES

Site can bedeveloped to the

fullest extent.Presence of

easement, "right ofway" established.No drainage issues

or existingstructures. Site iscleared and graded.

DEVELOPMENT

Property is zonedfor proposed land

use.

Complies with localcomprehensive

plan.Environmental

studies arecomplete.

ZONING

ready, set, build - report 2.14.12

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