A Summary of Notable Economic Development Activities & Events in 2010

The following is a partial list of projects and efforts in the City of Sun Prairie in 2010:

• Assisted with the submittal of current buildings to multiple Dept. of Commerce site searches.
• Coordinated discussions on the Main St. Interchange Project with Wal Mart
• Coordinated discussions on the South Bristol Street Redevelopment.
• Facilitated discussions on the resue of the current Pick 'n' Save site.
• Facilitated a Midwest Disaster Recovery Bond for the Prairie Lakes Development
• Coordinated SBA financing assistance for an existing company in the City
• Evaluated a proposal for a spec building in the Sun Prairie Business Park
• Assisted in evaluating redevelopment opportunities at the Wisconsin Cheeseman
• Assisted with Project Planning for the Schneider Property
• Evaluated alternatives for additional indoor/outdoor athletic fields
• Initiated formal business retention surveys for major employers in the City
• Conducted a Business Hotel Demand Survey
• Continued the NE Dane County Manufacturing and Technology Breakfast Series
• Scheduled a Commercial Brokers Group meeting for Sun Prairie in 2011
• Expanded the Wind Power Happy Hour to a Statewide initiative
• Completion of the Marcus Theatres development agreements
• ITS Compliance moves to former American Legion building
• Frontier Communications moves into Verizon building
• Palmer Johnson expanded their warehouse at their Sun Prairie facility, bringing 15 jobs.
• Two notable employers that had layoffs are re-hiring to previous employment levels.
• Assisted with two private submittals for government offices in Sun Prairie
• Facilitated the reuse of 245 Clarmar Dr. by Ryan Ambulance
• Celebrated the 6 month anniversary of St. Mary’s ER, as well as the 10,000th patient.
• Initiated preliminary discussions with Wal Mart on the future of their Sun Prairie store.
• Became the listing contact for the TIF 9 parcels.
• Provided staff assistance to the Sun Prairie Tourism Commission.
• Completed updates to the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce Economic Profile for 2010.
• Completed applications to Scenic Wisconsin for Cannery Square and Patrick Marsh.
• Conducted a potential supplier/partner survey for a wind turbine company seeking to locate in the Madison region.
• Continued to be the primary contact for the City’s RLF program.
• Participated in additional planning for southern development areas on Bird St./Bailey Rd.
• Facilitated information for a major ag/energy/manufacturing project looking in WI.
• Assisted in evaluating reuse options for an existing building in the business park.
• Celebrated the completion of the WPPI Energy HQ building & LEED certification.
• Initiated discussion on a Façade Improvement Grant for TIF 10.
• Assisted a local Realtor with an analysis of the Sun Prairie Business Park.
• Coordinated some discussions on the possible acquisition and redevelopment of the
Professional Building post-fire.
• Coordinated an estimate of vacancy rates for downtown residential buildings.
• Assisted in the application by a local company for a food processing tax credit through the State of Wisconsin.
• Assembled media distribution lists for economic development and tourism purposes.
• Updated Sun Prairie entries in the 2010 MGE Business Park Directory.
• Initiated a participant directory for the Wind Power Happy Hour attendees.
• Continued discussions on the reuse of the Hanley site.
• Reviewed multiple requests for buildings through the Dept. of Commerce and Dane County.
• Assisted in coordinating discussions with local developers on possible impacts of overlay districts on Main Street.
• Facilitated multiple formal public discussions on topics including: federal health care legislation, State wind siting legislation, telecommunications services, renewable energy standards, and the future of freight rail in Dane County.

For additional information, please contact Neil Stechschulte at (608) 825-0894 or nstechschulte[at]cityofsunprairie.com.

Sun Prairie's Jimmy the Groundhog Predicts EARLY SPRING!

Jimmy X arrived at the Prognostication Site in a stretch limosine, escorted by a Sun Prairie fire truck. A fireman shoveled a fresh path for Jimmy and his caregiver, Jerry to meet the mayor. It was a snowy morning in Sun Prairie, and Jimmy did NOT see his shadow! The crowd cheered as the mayor interpreted Jimmy's message, proclaiming an EARLY SPRING!

Check out Groundhog Central for more updates.

Click here for coverage from NBC 15 (video inlcuded).

Our View: Super Jimmy - Attend Jimmy’s Big Day and the Warm-up Ceremonies, Too (Sun Prairie Star)

[An Editorial from the Star...]

Although the theme for this year’s Groundhog Day festivities is “Super Jimmy,” the famous furry forecaster will have to be some kind of superanimal to keep up with the Groundhog Day festivities occurring throughout Sun Prairie during the next few days.

Those activities begin on Saturday, Jan. 30 when St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 2420 St. Albert Drive, will host the annual Groundhog Day Community Celebration, which begins with a breakfast from 8-11 a.m., followed by entertainment and vendor booths.

A birthday party for Human Groundhogs (those born on Feb. 2) takes place at 8:30 a.m.

The 36th annual Groundhog Ball takes place Jan. 30 from 7-11 p.m. at The Round Table, 1611 N. Bristol St. featuring The John Roehl Eight Piece Band; tickets cost $7 each but individuals younger than 21 will not be admitted. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Sun Prairie Little League.

February 2: The Main Event
The eyes of the world focus on downtown Sun Prairie’s Cannery Square on Tuesday, Feb. 2, when the famous forecaster Jimmy the Groundhog arrives at Cannery Square via limousine escorted by a Sun Prairie Volunteer Fire Department engine.

Mayor Joe Chase, as legend has it, is the only person who can understand groundhogese and will relay Jimmy’s forecast of either an early spring or six more weeks of winter at 7:12 a.m. to the crowd assembled in Cannery Square Plaza.

The Sun Prairie Business Improvement District (BID) is co-sponsoring a Groundhog Day Breakfast Buffet at Market Street Diner -- at 110 Market St. -- on Feb. 2 from 6-9 a.m.

Whew! That’s a lot -- but we’re sure Jimmy is up to it.

Are you?

Click here for more coverage by the Sun Prairie Star.

Click here for the direct Groundhog Day updates from Groundhog Central.

Click here coverage by the Capital Times.