Left, a map of East Park Commerce Center as displayed Thursday at the Portage County Library. (City-Times photo)

By Brandi Makuski

East Park Commerce Center is now officially “Certified in Wisconsin”.          

The new designation came Thursday during a brief presentation at the Portage County Library, where several county and city officials were in high spirits over the news. Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary Reed Hall formally congratulated city leaders, calling the development potential “very, very substantial.”

Hall also said the state would help Stevens Point advertise the park to developers across the nation on its website.

“We’re pleased to be partners with you on this,” he said. “I’m convinced great days are ahead for this community. I know it’s a lot of work, and a little investment and resources at the time, but the dividends are going to be substantial.”

Certification means the site is “shovel ready” for developers. Much of East Park already has water and electricity and being situated next to a major highway and railroad, it’s an ideal location for business development, Hall added.

Twelve other sites are also certified for business development, but East Park is by far the largest at over 700 acres. The next largest is located in Janesville and only 1/3 the size.

Mayor Andrew Halverson spoke highly of the embattled WEDC, which he said in partnership with the Stevens Point Common Council has created an ideal environment for strong job creation.

“The leadership of Governor Walker and the WEDC has brought about the ability for us to talk about this great partnership, and I want to thank the governor for creating a very nimble and business-first focused agency,” Halverson said.

“This site allows us thousands of new jobs over the next 20- 30 years, and several hundred million (dollars) in tax base creation in the city.”

Halverson estimated six to seven one- million square foot developments could easily fit on the property.

“This represents major opportunities such as large corporate headquarters, regional distribution centers, major trucking operations, large data centers and server farms due to the uninterruptible power that traverses the site, and massive food producers.”

Community Development Director Michael Ostrowski confirmed the city is already in talks with another business for potential location in the park, but would only say if it worked out, that business would take up 40 acres on one lot near County HH.

East Park Commerce Center was annexed into Stevens Point in September of 2012 with intentions for industrial development. The 760 acres is bordered by the Canadian National Railroad on the north, Highway HH to the south, Highway R/Brilowski Road on the west and Burbank Road to the east.