By Press Times Staff
BROWN COUNTY – Model rockets were used Thursday, Oct. 10, to officially “launch” the opening of the STEM Innovation Center on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus.
Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach said the ceremonial opening of the 63,730-square-foot facility represents the realization of his long-term vision to secure the region’s manufacturing future.
“The Brown County STEM Innovation Center will help create long-term, family-supporting jobs in order to achieve improved economic development for years to come, while ensuring all our students have opportunities to become tomorrow’s innovators,” Streckenbach said.
The STEM Innovation Center will serve as the home of the UW-Green Bay’s Richard J. Resch School of Engineering to support manufacturing growth and entrepreneurship in Northeast Wisconsin.
In addition, the space will enable the co-location of The Einstein Project, Extension Brown County and Brown County’s Land and Water Conservation departments.
John Katers, Dean of UW-Green Bay’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology, said the opening of the STEM Innovation Center is one of the most exciting things to happen on the campus in many years.
“This will prove to be a catalyst for STEM education in the region, as it leverages the strengths of the public and private partners that collaborated on this unique project,” Katers said.
Dennis Rockhill, Makerspace Director for the Einstein Project, said the Einstein Project is excited to be in the STEM Innovation Center.
“More importantly, we are grateful to be in close collaboration with Brown County and UWGB on future initiatives that will positively impact STEM pathways from (kindergarten) to college and well beyond,” Rockhill said.
The STEM Innovation Center received $5 million in the 2017-19 state capital budget, $5 million from Brown County and $5 million in donations through UW-Green Bay for construction.
This project received support through a collaboration from local businesses, employers, the State of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin System.