Announces Brownfield Grant for Harley-Davidson Museum
MILWAUKEE – Governor Jim Doyle today announced a $1.25 million Brownfield grant to the Harley-Davidson Museum that will build on efforts to revitalize the Menomonee Valley and support environmental remediation efforts. The Harley-Davidson Museum is expected to bring 350,000 visitors to the area each year, generate an estimated $78 million in annual spending to grow the local economy, and bring in more than $12.3 million in annual state and local tax revenue.
“From the Harley-Davidson Museum, to Miller Park, to the Hank Aaron State Trail, to Marquette’s Athletic Fields, to the new Amtrak Intermodal Train Station, to the great businesses building and expanding, the Menomonee Valley has become a thriving economic center for this city and the entire state,” Governor Doyle said. “I’m pleased to see new energy and projects in this central city region, and I’m pleased the state can support Harley-Davidson’s vision for the Museum and commitment to revitalizing this site.”
The Harley-Davidson Museum is being constructed on a 20-acre Brownfield site in the Menomonee Valley. The grant from the Department of Commerce (Commerce) will support environmental remediation costs. The museum will feature exhibit space as well as a restaurant, retail shop, meeting space, and special events facilities.
Governor Doyle was joined by Mayor Tom Barrett, leaders from Harley-Davidson, Falk Corporation, Amtrak, the Sigma Group, Miller Brewing, Palermo’s Pizza, the Milwaukee Brewers, Menomonee Valley Partners, Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail, Marquette University and other Menomonee Valley businesses to highlight Wisconsin’s commitment to growing the Valley.
The Doyle Administration has provided assistance to many other businesses throughout the Menomonee Valley including Ziegler Bence Properties, Palermo Villa, Inc., Miller Brewing Company, the Layton Boulevard West Neighbors, Inc. and the Milwaukee Homeownership Consortium in the Menomonee Valley.
Commerce’s Blight Elimination and Brownfield Redevelopment (BEBR) Program provides grant funds to municipalities, local development corporations, and the private sector to support assessment, remediation and return of contaminated lands to productive use. Brownfields are abandoned, idle, or underused industrial or commercial properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived contamination.
For more information on Commerce programs and services, visit contact the Commerce area development manager at www.commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-Fax-0901.html
