Madison City Council members heard a quarterly report from the Jefferson County Industrial Development Corp. officials during a meeting Wednesday night.
JCIDC Executive Director Nathan Hadley began the report by highlighting the $5 million Super ATV expansion that will include the hiring of more than 100 employees and moving to a larger facility.
Hadley said the all-terrain vehicle accessory and supply business began in Harold Hunt’s garage, and the small business grew from there.
“We appreciate Mr. Hunt’s commitment to Madison,” Hadley said.
Hadley said expansion plans are progressing, but there is no firm deadline for relocating the business to a bigger building.
Hadley also reported the corporation received 14 leads from the state with nine of those leads from companies hoping to find existing buildings. Madison failed to meet the requirements for any of the buildings.
Five leads were looking for space to build, and JCIDC submitted two proposals for space availability in the industrial park.
The corporation has not heard back from the submissions.
Hadley said JCIDC received two leads through a regional marketing group. Officials have hosted one site visit for a group interested in possibly relocating to the Jefferson Proving Ground.
Hadley outlined the renovation of the Madison Consolidated High School’s industrial arts wing for a student-run business officials hope to implement called “Cub Manufacturing.” The idea came from the Wisconsin-based student-run Cardinal Manufacturing.
The renovated classroom space – which is being paid for in part with $130,000 from the City of Madison Redevelopment Commission – will serve as a location to begin the enterprise.
“It’s not just the hands-on skills,” Hadley said. “They’re also learning soft skills.”
Hadley said students would be in charge of dealing with customers, marketing and the managerial side of the business.
Although he’s still unsure what may be created through the Cub Manufacturing initiative, Hadley said officials would be careful not to take business away from existing industry or businesses in the area.
Officials also unveiled the ENVISION Jefferson County Vision & Action Plan during the first quarter of the year, Hadley said, and he expects news of the implementation plan to be outlined soon.
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