The 60,000-square-foot facility will become a key part of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN)

Today, the City of Kenosha held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $23.5-million facility that will serve as the future Kenosha Innovation Center, located on the site of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN).

The Innovation Center, a three-story, 64,000-square-foot building, will be situated on a 3.5-acre portion of the KIN, adjacent to the planned greenway corridor that will run through the site. Designed by Milwaukee-based Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA), the facility is expected to be completed in summer 2025 and will include leasable tenant space, as well as event and meeting space open for community use.

“Years of vision casting and planning have gone into the revitalization of this land,” said Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian. “Today marks a pivotal milestone as we celebrate the start of construction for the Kenosha Innovation Center. We know that innovation is a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness, and communities that embrace innovation become more attractive to growing businesses and entrepreneurs. I am encouraged by the momentum this facility will continue to advance for our city.”

As an anchor development on the site of the KIN, the Innovation Center will contribute to the revitalization and transformation of the former 107 acres of vacant land in the heart of Kenosha. Over the last several years, City and Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc. representatives toured innovation districts throughout the country to support planning for an Innovation Center facility that will best serve the needs of the Kenosha community.

“The Kenosha Innovation Center will be a central hub of growth and collaboration for entrepreneurs, startup businesses and training for those seeking employment opportunities,” said Tim Mahone, Board President of the KIN. “This project is a long-term investment not only for the KIN but for the greater Kenosha community and surrounding region. We are grateful for the many partners who worked to bring this facility from idea to reality and look forward to the opportunities the Center will help bring to our community.”

The City of Kenosha received a $14 million state Neighborhood Investment Grant to support the funding of the $22.8 million facility, with additional funding through a Tax Incremental Financing District. The City is managing the development of the Innovation Center project and in the future will transfer ownership and operations to Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc.

In December 2023, the City of Kenosha awarded Neenah-based Miron Construction the BID for the construction of the Kenosha Innovation Center.

“Miron Construction is honored to partner with the City of Kenosha and the KIN to build the Kenosha Innovation Center,” said Jill Didier, Executive Vice President of Business Development at Miron Construction. “We’ve seen firsthand what an incredible impact this type of development can have and we are eager to contribute to Kenosha’s growth.”

The start of construction of the Kenosha Innovation Center comes on the heels of the October 2023 groundbreaking for the new LakeView Technology Academy facility as well as ongoing infrastructure work throughout the KIN site.