Contact: eldolken@potc.net

Bank supports Ag Innovation Center

Time Federal Savings Bank of Medford pledged $25,000 toward creating the Central Wisconsin Agribusiness Innovation Center (CWAIC), located in Owen.

CWAIC is a multi-purpose facility serving as an education center and business incubator for emerging companies in agribusiness, renewable energy, and biotechnology, food processing and related industries.

“We’re pleased to support the center, and we are happy to be a part of the local fundraising effort,” said Time Federal Savings Bank President Thomas Lindow.  “We are always supporting community development through our home lending, and we know how important the Agribusiness Center will be to our area’s growth and development. We need agriculture and businesses to thrive.”

“Future jobs, in agriculture as well as in other areas, require high technology education,” said Time Federal Savings Bank Manager and Vice President Daniel Krause.  “CWAIC will provide the opportunity for our youth to get training, internships and jobs in high tech agriculture.  We want them to be able to stay in the area and stay in agriculture.”

In appreciation for the donation, one of the center’s business incubator spaces will be named in honor of Time Federal Savings Bank.

Construction is scheduled to being in mid-summer.  The state-of-the-art CWAIC building will contain incubator and laboratory space, a distance learning center, public meeting and event space, leased offices, a commercial test/classroom kitchen and multiple “smart” classrooms.

The building itself will be a learning tool, using sustainable design concepts for both the innovation center and its surrounding site, the 71-acre Clark County Agribusiness park.

“Since we’re a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, we certainly appreciate tax-deductible gifts like the one that Time Federal Savings Bank has made,” said CWAIC Executive Director Rebecca Baumann.  “This project is an investment in our youth and our area.”

For more information about the Central Wisconsin Agribusiness Innovation Center and the Clark County Agribusiness Park, visit Web site: www.agribusinessinnovaition.org.