Clark County Press, Neillsville, Clark Co., WI

October 6, 2010, Page 16

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Loyal bank supporting AG Innovation Center

Loyal Citizens State Bank President and CEO Travis Holt (right) pose with (from left) Central Wisconsin Agribusiness Innovation Center (CWAIC) Executive Director Mike Kawleski and Sheila Nyberg, Clark County Economic Development Corporation and Tourism Bureau executive director.  The bank recently donated $25,000 toward the center. (Contributed Photo)

Citizens State Bank of Loyal contributed $25,000 toward the creation of the Central Wisconsin Agribusiness Innovation Center (CWAIC), a multi-purpose facility serving as a business incubator for emerging companies in agribusiness, renewable energy, biotechnology, food processing and related industries.

“We’re pleased to support the center, because it will create jobs for this region of the state and provide additional educational opportunities for our customers,” said Travis Holt, president and CEO of Citizens State Bank.  In appreciation of the donation, one of the center’s business incubator and laboratory spaces will be named in honor of Citizens State Bank of Loyal.

Scheduled for ground-breaking in early 2011 near Owen, the center will contain incubator and laboratory space, a distance learning center, public meeting and event space, a computer lab, offices for lease, a commercial test/classroom kitchen and multiple “smart” classrooms.  The building itself will be a learning tool, using sustainable design concepts for both the Innovation Center and its surrounding site, the 71-acre Clark County Agribusiness Park.

“Citizens State Bank is known for its agricultural expertise, so it’s fitting that it would support a facility that is designed to foster education, training, research and business development in agriculture, which is a $59 billion industry in the state,” said Mike Kawleski, CWAIC’s executive director.

A nonprofit organization, CWAIC is partnering with the city of Owen, its community Development Authority and the Clark County Economic Development Corporation to raise approximately $5.8 million to construct the building.  The U. S. Department of Commerce Economic Administration already awarded a $4 million grant toward the project.  The city will construct sewer and water services to the agribusiness park this fall.

For additional information about the Central Wisconsin Agribusiness Innovation Center and the Clark County Agribusiness Park, visit Website www.agribusinessinnovation.org.