Chippewa County, Wisconsin
The Chippewa County, Wisconsin BDO Zone for Corn Stover is rated ‘A’.
Rating Issue Date: April 17, 2024.
'A' ratings denote high prospective viability of Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure and low expectations of default risk in the Zone. Capacity to support new biobased plant operations is considered strong.
Chippewa County, WI, BDO Zone Overview
Feedstock quantities are expressed in bone dry tons per year (bdt/yr), while feedstock costs are expressed in United States (USD) dollars. Maximum transport distance is based on a 75-mile driving distance from the center point (Chippewa Falls, WI).
BDO Zone Assets
- Steady increase in grain crops planted area, pointing to a positive outlook for corn stover availability.
- Lack of established competition for corn stover within 150-mi drive distance from Chippewa Falls, WI.
- Access to North America's largest and farthest inland freshwater port, providing access to global markets.
- Rail line running adjacent to the industrial site and the road network provides east west access from Canadian border in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, to Seattle, WA.
BDO Zone Liabilities
- Corn stover supply chains need to be established due to a lack of historical commercial-scale demand for corn stover
- Large number of farmers produce cash crops and cattle, providing them revenue options that may impact their willingness to harvest corn stover for their livestock use.
- Yield variability within the Supply Zone means a more fragmented supply chain with increased production risk.
Infrastructure
- 10 acres commercial, 50 acres manufacturing sites
- Wisconsin Certified Shovel-Ready Site by Xcel Energy and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, addressing all major permitting and development issues
- Zoning: Mixed use, lite manufacturing, heavy manufacturing
- Access via U.S. Highway 53 and State Highways 27, 29, 40, 64, 124, 178
- Served by Chippewa Valley Regional Airport and Union Pacific, Progressive Rail, Canadian National railroads
- 70 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul, 250 miles northwest of Milwaukee
- Workforce supported by local universities and colleges
- 110 total/107 developable acres in Stanley, WI, Chippewa County, less than 30 miles from Eau Claire
- Wisconsin Certified Shovel-Ready Site by Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, addressing all major permitting and development issues
- Zoning: Industrial
- Access via Highway 29, centrally located between Minneapolis-St. Paul, Green Bay, and Chicago markets
- Utilities: Electrical (7.2 KV, 12.47 KV lines on site; 115 KV line 100 ft away; substation 1 mi), Gas (4 in. line, 4,000 MCF/mo. upgradeable), Water (12 in. main 500 ft east), Sanitary Sewer (8 in. main 500 ft east)
- Modern infrastructure, skilled workforce, quality of life
- Ideal for metal manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, energy
- 140+ acres divided into three parcels: 36 acres (north), 44 and 60 acres (south)
- Zoning: Industrial
- Located directly off the 4-lane Highway 53 in New Auburn, WI
- Owners open to leasing, selling, or subdividing for industrial growth
- Modern railroad network with 35,000 feet of rail spur track, ladder tracks under 15 years old
- Near the Interstate, seamlessly integrating industry, agriculture, and community
- Advanced infrastructure, ready-to-develop sites, skilled workforce, high quality of life
- Ideal for metal manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, energy
Local Grants and Incentives
Certified In Wisconsin (Certified Sites)The program that designates industrial development sites as shovel-ready, backed by a comprehensive third-party-reviewed process. For site selectors the designation pre-qualifies a property: clear title, sufficient utilities and infrastructure for industrial use, correct zoning and adequate transportation access. Both Lake Wissota Business Park and Stanley West Industrial Park carry the designation.
Enterprise Zone Tax CreditsRefundable tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for businesses with significant expansion projects, or relocating major business operations to Wisconsin from another state. Businesses apply to WEDC for certification.
Business Development Tax CreditsRefundable tax credits supporting job creation, capital investment, training, and the location or retention of corporate headquarters. As of 2024 the minimum capital investment needed to qualify is $250,000.
Angel and Early Stage Seed Investment Tax CreditsDelivered through the Qualified New Business Venture (QNBV) program. Early-stage Wisconsin businesses developing innovative products, processes or services apply to WEDC for certification; their angel investors, angel networks and qualified venture funds then receive a 25% tax credit on qualified equity investments.
Development Opportunity Zone Tax CreditWisconsin's Development Opportunity Zone credits sit alongside the federal Opportunity Zone program created in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, both aimed at spurring long-term private investment in low-income urban and rural communities. WEDC certifies and verifies eligible claimants.
Manufacturing and Agriculture CreditA Wisconsin income and franchise tax credit for income derived from qualified production activities on manufacturing or agricultural property in the state, which substantially offsets state tax on that income — directly relevant to a corn stover conversion plant sited in the BDO Zone.
Relocation CreditA Wisconsin credit available to a business that moves to the state from outside Wisconsin, offsetting state income and franchise tax liability in the years following the move.
