The Kenosha Innovation Campus
The Kenosha Innovation Campus
“Our vision for this project has always included the goal of revitalizing the six neighborhoods surrounding the Chrysler site,” said Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian. “We heard from our residents that equitable access to education, housing and job creation are paramount to the community’s health and future. We’re proud that we’ve already been able to pursue initiatives to reflect these needs.”
Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN) located on the 107-acre former Chrysler Engine Plant site, has a specific focus on fostering neighborhood opportunities in education, workforce training, entrepreneurial development, and job placement. KIN will be centered around connecting Kenosha residents to opportunities in high-growth digital, and science technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations.
A complementary program includes a plan to develop and revitalize the City’s older neighborhoods, the City of Kenosha is developing the Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy (KELA) in partnership with Carthage College, the University of Wisconsin Parkside, Herzing University, Gateway Technical College, Jockey International, Best Buy, the Kenosha YMCA, the Students Engagement thru Groups and Activities (S.E.G.A.) program, gener8tor and the Mahone Fund.
Who
The City is partnering with a number of educational, public and private partners to redevelop the former Chrysler factory site.
Kenosha YMCA to partner with Jockey to bring a Best Buy Teen Tech Center to the Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy (KELA) later this year in the former Brown Bank building.
In addition to partnering with UW-Parkside, the city is planning a future partnership with gener8tor, a Milwaukee-based startup accelerator. The City recently worked with gener8tor to pursue an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant that funds accelerator programs for startup companies in under-served areas.
Funding
The City of Kenosha has committed American Rescue Plan funds ($7.4m) and assisted with securing EDA funds for infrastructure ($4.9m), along with the State of Wisconsin’s investment ($15m).
