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Adams County considers certified-site study as railroad, state offers partial funding
Summary
Adams County economic development staff outlined a plan to pursue a state-certified industrial site along the railroad, with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation covering half of an estimated $150,000 study; county and city cooperation and rail-company funding remain to be confirmed.
Adams County officials discussed pursuing a certified industrial site along the county’s railroad corridor after the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation offered to pay half the cost of a site study.
The study, which “basically…do[es] studies on a certain site and let[s] you know” what utilities and acreage are available, was described by Derek, economic development staff, as often expensive—roughly $150,000—though WEDC will cover 50 percent if the county applies. Derek said the county plans to work with WEDC and Centergy and approach Chicago Northwestern about contributing the other half.
A certified site designation signals to developers that a property has been evaluated for size, utilities and environmental constraints. Derek said Adams’s candidate parcel sits beside the railroad and is largely undeveloped; the county or city would still need to complete access and site work. “The site that is in Adams is right along the railroad tracks… I believe it’s 28 acres,” Derek said.
Supervisor Grabarski asked about access and whether the site would be reached from Highway 13 or Eleventh Street. Derek said access would likely be near an electrical substation on Highway 13 and that the area would require development: “It’s almost—It would have to be developed.”
Derek also told the board that Chicago Northwestern has an economic development initiative that could fund railside improvements such as spurs or clearing land. He said a separate, much larger private project—about $50 million—has just started at the south end of the county but remains confidential; he expected to report more in roughly three months.
Why it matters: certified-site status can make a property more competitive for developers by reducing due-diligence time and signaling readiness. County leaders said state cost-sharing lowers the upfront barrier, but both city approval and any rail-company contribution will be required before the study proceeds.
The county did not take a formal vote on the certified-site study at the meeting. Derek offered to answer additional questions and to follow up with the city of Adams and potential partners if the board directs next steps.
