Madison’s hope for the Midwest BioLink and Commercialization Center, an agricultural and biology research center envisioned for the city’s southeast side, is fading. City officials have reportedly found it difficult to attract tenants and couldn’t cover a $3.3 million construction cost shortfall despite years of trying. The 31,000-sq.-ft. facility, proposed during former mayor Dave Cieslewicz’s term, has been viewed as the cornerstone of the city’s BioAg Gateway and would include a business park, Ag Discovery Center, and Ag showcase – none of which have broken ground.
The city had already donated 2.7 acres to the project, rezoned the land, approved a design, and committed $2 million in TIF. Madison Development Corp. teamed with the city on the project, investing between $50,000 and $100,000, but couldn’t secure tenants.
Local officials are now looking to terminate a $4.5 million federal grant envisioned for the project, though some still hold out hope that the BioAg Gateway will eventually be developed in some form.
