La Crosse Area Development Corporation

LADCO’s Mission The La Crosse Area Development Corporation serves a “triad of development” throughout the La Crosse Area: the attraction of business the retention of business and industry and co-management of the Coulee Region Business Center, small business incubator.

LADCO Project Overview Coulee Region Business Center I.C. System Lakeview Business Park Advanced Fiber Products River Steel

LADCO Events Richard McCreary, President/CEO Keynote Speaker Richard McCreary, President/CEO Marinette Marine Corporation Thursday, September 9th, 7:00 a.m. Radisson Hotel Ballroom Annual Meeting Economic ForumTM Series Oktoberfest in the Capitol La Crosse Area Promotion Day

Business Plan Competition 14th Annual Competition 35 award winning business plans Majority in operation today 2010 awards presented at Industry Appreciation Breakfast – Sept. 9th

La Crosse Industrial Park Corp. (LIPCO) Partnership between the City of La Crosse, Xcel Energy and LADCO Involved in economic development projects where real estate is the deciding factor Five year lease arrangements with buyout provisions Past Project: 2nd & King Past Project: PACAL Industries

LIPCO Plant 6 - Before

LIPCO Plant 6 - After

LIPCO Plant 6 Project Facts Site Size: @ 12 Acres Anticipated Redevelopment Value (to be articulated by follow-on developer): $15 - $18 million Project Grants: WI Department of Natural Resources - $250,000 WI Department of Commerce - $165,000 Environmental Remediation: to be completed by Trane Company Site Availability: Fall 2010

Empire Builder High Speed Rail Coalition Higher Speed & More Frequent Rail Service along the Existing Mississippi River Route Advantages of Empire Builder Route Amtrak’s most Successful Long Distance Route 20% local cost share will be shared equally between WI & MN based on miles of track in each state WI & MN need to rally behind most cost effective & “shovel ready” route to avoid loosing federal funding to competing corridors across the country Existing Passenger Level Trackage that requires less infrastructure upgrades Existing Right-of-Way to accommodate Double Trackage which is critical in maintaining Freight & increased Passenger service simultaneously

March 18, 2010

A Conversation with Talgo & Amtrak" High Speed Rail:  A Conversation with Talgo & Amtrak" Derrick James, Amtrak Senior Government Affairs Director Joshua Coran, Talgo Director of Operations

Other High Speed Rail Advocacy Efforts Joint Communiqué with West Central High Speed Rail Coalition (Eau Claire Route Supporters) Advocating for: Additional focus on passenger rail service Additional service on the Empire Builder Route ahead of high speed Commuter service between Eau Claire and Twin Cities Student Survey of Business Use Businesses are very interested in utilizing high speed rail Frequency is a critical component to making this a viable alternative Over 50 letters of support from local business and over 1800 petition signatures Multiple News Advisories and communications to Elected Officials Milwaukee Bucks vs. MN Timberwolves Train Trip/ Meeting with Senator Kohl

Route Decision & Implementation Route Alternatives Study (Service Level NEPA) Completion Date: 2011 Being Completed by a consultant under contract with WI DOT & MN DOT Process/ Outcomes: Data-driven process to select the most feasible and cost-effective routes (likely up to 4 routes) Once complete, states can to apply for subsequent corridor development funding Next Steps & Timeline Environmental Engineering: @ 5 years; beginning as early as 2011 - 2012 High Speed Travel : As early as 2016 - 2018 Additional Trains: Could be added sooner, at current 79 mph (Source: Research by Tom Faella – La Crosse Area Planning Commission; MN Rail Plan, FRA, etc)