Wisconsin Ag Connection - Clark County Board Okays Agri-Business Campus

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Clark County Board Okays Agri-Business Campus
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/18/2008

The Clark County Board has approved a land-swap resolution on Friday that would authorize the sale of about 40 acres of county-owned land near Owen in order to purchase 30 acres of state-owned property for an Agribusiness Campus, and possible permanent home of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.

According to WCCN Radio, a group of interested parties--spearheaded by the Clark County Economic Development Corporation--has been exploring the possibility of purchasing the land to develop an agribusiness park. The project could also result in an innovation center.

Gary Weirauch, an officer with the Citizens State Bank of Loyal, says the vision is to develop a business park where 'ag-related ideas can grow and prosper.' Supporters of the concept are also seeking grant money to conduct a $25,000 feasibility study of the ag campus idea.

Meanwhile, organizers also have thoughts of a possible permanent venue for Farm Technology Days. That group's board had discussed the option of holding the show in a single spot in the past, but recently voted to continue its tradition of rotating the event from county to county after conducting a major survey during the 2006 show in Sheboygan County.

"We've asked attendees, exhibitors and volunteers to participate in a survey to gauge their feelings about whether the event should be located in a permanent location or continue to travel around the state," WFTD Board Chairman Rick Klemme told Wisconsin Ag Connection at that time. "And from what we found, people are happy with the way we've been doing it."

But that doesn't mean the decision is set in stone. Klemme says the board is still conducting research on the costs and other factors of a permanent site for future shows. Right now, the sites of future shows are scheduled through 2010.

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