BellBrook Labs Awarded Wisconsin Development Fund

Wisconsin Development Fund Awards Aid Technology Development And Labor Training

MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that seven companies will share $717,688 in Wisconsin Development Fund awards. The awards were made at the Wisconsin Development Finance Board meeting held May 3 in Madison.

“My Grow Wisconsin Initiative calls for investments in training and technology development,” Gov. Doyle said. “Today’s awards will help two young biotechnology firms that have already won federal R&D funding bring promising new biotechnology products to market. The awards will also support worker training in a number of manufacturing sectors. The trained workers are earning wages in the range of $15 to $31/hour.”

Gov. Doyle noted that the projects will train 119 employees and leverage $1.26 million in additional investment.

The following summarizes the successful proposals:

Genetic Assemblies, Inc., Madison, Dane County, $350,000 Technology Development Fund loan. This start-up biotechnology company seeks to change the pace and scope of basic biology and genetics research by developing artificial DNA to produce customer-specified assays. It will use the loan for continued research and development. The project will leverage $600,000 in additional investment.

BellBrook Labs, LLC, Madison, Dane County, $250,000 Technology Development loan. This start-up biotechnology developing biological assay systems and computational methods that accurately model human disease processes. It will use the loan to purchase equipment. The project will leverage $500,000 in additional investment.

Green Bay Converting, Inc., Green Bay, Brown County, $51,500 CLT grant. The company produces private label and branded paper and non-woven products for its customers. It is investing $2.6 million in new equipment to increase its converting capacity. The grant will be used to train 13 current and 17 new employees on the new equipment. The training project will leverage $88,092 in private funds.

Toolcraft Co., Inc., Germantown, Washington County, $12,000 Customized Labor Training (CLT) grant. This company provides short-run precision machining for the power-generation, automotive, and heavy manufacturing industries. It will use the grant to train five employees on new equipment. The training project will leverage $12,087 in private funds.

Accurate Alignment and Frame Service, Inc., Appleton, Outagamie County, $18,838 CLT grant. Accurate Alignment and Frame Service, Inc. operates a full-service automotive diagnostics and repair facility. The company is also performing manufacturing operations for original equipment manufacturers that have requested it to obtain ISO 9000:2000 Certification. It will use the grant to train 42 current employees and one new employee. The training project will leverage $18,839 in private funds.

Reich Tool & Design, Inc., Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County, $20,000 CLT grant. The company specializes in metal stamping die design, construction and repair. It is pursuing ISO9001:2000 certification in order to remain competitive, and will use its grant to train 31 current employees. The training project will leverage $20,000 in private funds.

Journeyman Machine & Supply Company, Inc., Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, $15,350 grant. The company provides high-quality machining for a variety of industries. It is obtaining ISO 9001:2000 certification, and will use its grant to train 11 current employees. The training project will leverage $15,365 in private funds.

The Department of Commerce staffs the Wisconsin Development Fund. The independent Wisconsin Development Finance Board considers proposals and awards funds. For further information, contact Jamie Wall at (608) 267-0770.

Biology at Work