A new era of innovation has begun in the heart of Kenosha.
On the site where an AMC and Chrysler once employed generations in innovating vehicles, the Kenosha Innovation Center — a three-story hub of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood — formally opened for business Wednesday.
The $23.5 million center project, under construction for more than a year, is touted as a site for entrepreneurs, startups and established businesses.
At Wednesday’s ceremony, Gov. Tony Evers called the center’s opening an “incredible milestone” for Kenosha. He said he couldn’t wait to see “all of the impacts it will have on the greater Kenosha community over the years to come.”
Four years ago, Evers established the Neighborhood Investment Fund program with the use of federal stimulus funding from the pandemic. Approximately $14 million was awarded to the KIN to help establish the innovation center. About $1 million from the fund also assisted in securing LakeView Technology Academy as the innovation neighborhood’s first tenant.
“For me, its Kenosha coming together, working together, solving problems, investing in the future. It’s more about the people and … coming together behind the project,” Evers said. “They’re going to be creating business and they’re going to be supporting businesses, young people, people that have a dream, giving them the skills and the wherewithal to be successful … When they’re successful, Kenosha’s successful and the state is successful.”
Tim Mahone, KIN Board chair, said the site is tied to the energy left by generations of United Autoworkers Local 72.
“The strength of the UAW on this site is the power by which we’re running this facility today,” said Mahone, who is also chair of the Mahone Fund. “This is not dominion, this is just kind of my personal take as a young kid growing up and watching our families and the economic vitality …We’ve all been touched by that energy on this site.”
He called the innovation neighborhood a “tangible connection” between the center and the community.
Read more at the Kenosha News.