Source: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - PLATTEVILLE submitted to
RURAL BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT, WI PROJECT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0208071
Grant No.
2004-45076-01871
Project No.
WISW-2006-06309
Proposal No.
2006-06309
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
XQ
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2004
Project End Date
May 31, 2008
Grant Year
2006
Project Director
Smith, G. M.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - PLATTEVILLE
1 UNIVERSITY PLAZA
PLATTEVILLE,WI 53818
Performing Department
SW SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Non Technical Summary
Rural businesses do not have the resources to engage consulting and research services. This project provides a mechanism to distribute access to services, on a regional basis, which will improve capability to operate competitively as a result. This mechanism also recognizes the resource needs at all strata of the region and industries therein.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
60860503010100%
Knowledge Area
608 - Community Resource Planning and Development;

Subject Of Investigation
6050 - Communities, areas, and regions;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics;
Goals / Objectives
The objectives of the CSREES grant to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is to provide a reasonable mechanism that allows regional businesses access to consulting services which improve their economic and competitive position.
Project Methods
A call for proposals is made to businesses within the region utilizing various media. Individual proposals are evaluated by a committee on pre-set criteria. The criteria for sub-awards to regional businesses reflect the perceived and expected economic impact to the business and region as a result of doing the project.

Progress 06/01/04 to 05/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: 41. Progress Report 2004:7 grants awarded;1-Energy-Alt:Investigate all patents,pending & conditional use applications related to design & process for integration of cattle feedlot with a ethanol manufacturing plant.2-Ag-mfg:Research & analyze data,develop business plan to start a poultry center for small bird processing & retail.3-Ag-mfg:Engineering analysis-current boiler system,research alternative wood waste system,requirements & provide plans/specs for new system. 4-Serv-Eng:Market research & patent rights for commercial in-floor heating system.5-Mfg-Eng:Research commercial application of ultra-sonic technology in processing low density materials in food products.6-Mfg-audio:Research & development advanced materials using organic material.7-Serv-Restaurant:Research a concept feasibility & business plan for national franchise featuring Wisconsin specialty & artisan foods.2005:4 awards; 1-Mfg:Develop 3 yr strategic plan,marketing plan,logos,trade show materials,marketing budget.2-Biotech:Conduct assays focusing on safety & efficacy of ID-1 in treatment of inner-mammary infections in dairy cows.3-Mfg-audio:Analyze utilization of process molding speaker cone fiber paper.4-Ag-mfg: Eval waste & ground water data,& determine treatment alternatives/impact using current tech,required system upgrades & pollution regulations.2006-2008:9 awards;1-Mfg-audio;Research surround materials used for audio cones.Research use of plastic cone materials. Produce new materials cone applications.2-Ag-Forestry;Develop marketing plan for product designed to protect & shelter tree transplants3-Mfg;Improve shop scheduling & productivity,allowing more projects in-process,increase revenue.4-Mfg-packaging;Research market,design,launch & maintain websites for marketing & sales goals.5-Mfg-packaging;Train machine operators in latest printing & troubleshooting6-Energy-Alt;Research application of anaerobic digestion in biogas production.7-Energy-Alt;Develop enterprise to process purchased digester biogas & convert gas into pipeline quality LNG/CNG for distribution.8-Ag;Research consolidation of plant operations into single seed theater.9-Biotech;Marketing plan & interactive website to incr sales/advertising. PARTICIPANTS: Grant participants was limited to one individual, Gary M. Smith, who acted in the role of primary investigator and PD. In these roles, the PD worked to market grant availability to regional small businesses, solicite project proposals, and conduct regular follow-up meetings to insure project progress. This PD also acted as overseer and manager of award administration. The University of Wisconsin - Platteville provided logistical and administrative support in the execution of the PD's duties. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences were focused on existing small businesses of 150 or fewer employees and gross revenue not to exceed $5 million. Proposals from these business parameters were solicited from a six county rural demographic. Proposals that were awarded grants were those that demonstrated best opportunity for business growth and positive economic impact for the community and/or region. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
42. Impact 2004-1-Energy-Alt;Reduced design costs,determined proprietary process, 1 FTE to date.2-Ag-mfg;Business plan developed,local zoning killed project.3-Ag-Mfg;Reduced energy/operating costs,selling energy credits.4-Serv-Eng;6 FTE,$800K sales incr.5-Mfg-Eng;New process for separating particulates in food products-patent pending.6-Mfg-audio;Baseline data for materials research.7-Serv-Rest; Business model & marketing plan for a national restaurant franchise delivered. 2005-1-Mfg;Turn key marketing system delivered.2-Biotech;New bovine vaccine product developed from assays.3-Mfg-audio;Determined ability to implement chemical process to create & mold speaker paper reducing exposure to volatile compounds,eliminate non-value labor,10% reduction energy use.4-Mfg-food; Determined list of economical & technical alternatives for discharge of dairy pollutants based on state regulations.2006-2008-1-Mfg-Audio;Produced speaker cone pulp/speaker surround increasing performance,6 FTE added,$1M sales increase,patent considered.2-Ag-Forestry;Marketing analysis,plan, strategy&implementation action plan for product distribution.3-Mfg;All employees trained in lean manufacturing,production scheduling,value streams mapped to improve material flow,plant layout & cell flow process for new facility designed,13 FTE added,7% decr admin costs,2.5% decr operating costs,155% sales incr.4-Mfg-packaging;Marketing plan & material,functional website,alternate use of products identified.5-Mfg-packaging;Training protocol for flexographic printing process developed and distributed to employees,7 FTE added,incr market share.6.Energy-Alt;Completed engineering study & technology feasibility study for the project location.7.Energy-Alt;Completed feasibility study determining equipment for gas processors,dispensing,distribution & space needs.Business plan for venture completed.8.Ag;Cost-benefit analysis of consolidating operations into one location into a bulk facility.9-Biotech;Implemented website with transaction ability incr world-wide sales.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06

Outputs
Past/Current Projects 2005: Loudspeaker Components, LLC, Lancaster,Wi Manufacturing Project:Research/Development using organic material.Manufacturer of audio speaker components, employing approximately 75 people.Customers include Bose & JBL who supply Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Ford, Chrysler & GM. The primary competition is China. This manufacturer focused on improving tinsel strength of paper material used to construct the cone. Recent destructive testing yielded results as stated by company president:good news,we produced a cone that went 21 hrs before breaking in our Customers torture test. The competition is about 1-2 hrs. The goal set by the Customer was 10 hrs. Immuno-Dynamics, Fennimore,Wi Bio-tech,ag value-add Project:Conduct clinical trials and assays on the vaccination drug developed for bovine preventing infection resulting from milk production.Positive results encouraged the concept of increasing milk production through avoidance of infection. Meister Dairy, Muscoda,Wi Ag value-add Project:Determine engineering alternatives to whey accumulation & removal in event of certification changes in state and local regulations. Photonics Cleaning Technology, Platteville,Wi Industrial services Project:Create a marketing & application plan for non-destructive cleaning process developed for highend & sensitive components. Dowden Industrial Tubing, Broadhead,Wi Manufacturing Project:Create business and marketing plans for a light industrial operation. 2006: Loudspeaker Manufacturing Project:Commercialize component research from past projects. Expectation:new product development,revenue growth,increase market,job creation. River Town Ironworks Manufacturing Project: Implement lean & material flow technologies Expectation:capacity creation,financial stability,job creation SW Resources Manufacturing,ag value-add Project:Market plan & operation consolidation. Expectation:job creation,revenue growth Richland BioMass Ag value-add,alternative energy Project:Business & marketing plan, engineering feasibility using & developing alt energy sources Expectation:job creation,energy independence & cost stabilization Richland BioGas Ag value-add,alternative energy Project:Business & marketing plan for bio-mass processing by-products Expectation:job/business creation,revenue growth Afmy Consumer goods Project:marketing plan development for new product introduction (from Japan to US) Expectation:job creation,localized revenue growth Pechiny Plastics Product packaging Project:training plan development for new print packaging technology Expectation:market stabilization,cost reduction,job retention,job growth SW Badger Agronomy Ag value-add Project:Analysis of consolidating operations & evaluating the economics of building bulk seed facility. Expectation:market &revenue growth,job retention,cost stabilization Immuno-Dynamics Bio-tech,ag value-add Project:Marketing plan & website advertising Expectation:market &revenue growth,job creation as sales increase

Impacts
Over the three years that sub-awards have been made to rural based businesses located in Southwest Wisconsin, the projects have increased in scope and potential economic impact. The CSREES grant has provided the resources necessary to conduct feasibility research in a variety of industries and businesses important to the region. The CSREES grant has allowed businesses and organizations to explore alternative energy production (therein reducing regional reliance on petroleum). Once regulatory hurdles are passed, these projects will result in job creation and economic infusion to the region. Other businesses such as Loudspeaker are able to finance pure product research in the development of audio components which will maintain a worldwide competitive position; keeping current jobs with the possibility of expansion and growth. In addition, this research will begin exploring using agriculture waste material for product construction. Other companies have been provided resources to explore new markets and expansion of operations, all designed at stabilizing their presence in the region. This includes attracting new business and jobs from outside the region and stabilizing market presence to continue current employment rates. The impact of the current projects (2006) will be better known once the full value of the research is realized.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period