University of Wisconsin Stout | Wisconsin's Polytechnic University
Discovery Center
Inspiring partnerships for innovative and knowledge-driven solutions for business, student learning and economic development.
Partnerships and Economic Development
Partnerships
The Discovery Center is focused on advancing UW-Stout’s educational mission, while providing solutions to business and industry challenges. Since July 2009, the center has facilitated dozens of collaborative projects involving the creativity and technical skills of more than 300 students and faculty. These projects tap resources from every college on campus and connect UW-Stout with industry and community partners to advance economic development and workforce opportunities.
Overall Discovery Center impacts from 2009 until now include:
- Served 192 Manufacturers by a completed technical assistance activity or public event
- Delivered 106 technical assistance projects to area manufacturers/businesses
- Sponsored 12 public events attended by 231 people
- $2.5 million invested in operations
- $9.1 million new/retained sales
- 123 jobs created or retained
- Customer satisfaction rating of 8.59 on a 10-point scale with 10 being very good.
Economic Development
Economic development is facilitated through Extension and Partnership Services by:
- Connecting area businesses to the resources and activities of the Dunn County Economic Development Corporation office, as well as promote collaborative business support efforts with other entities involved with county and regional growth
- Providing access to collaborative ventures with other regional institutions of higher education, public and private community entities, and PK-12 systems through the West Central Wisconsin Regional Education Consortium
- Providing businesses with access to a wide variety of university resources such as Regional Business Assistance Resource Directory (ReBAR), an online listing of the resources of six higher education institutions in the region, to assist them with technical problem solutions; state-of-the-art laboratory, equipment and conference facilities; and professional development training
- Providing referrals to UW-Stout faculty and students for technical assistance and customized learning support
- Administrating the sale of Stout Technology and Business Park property, manage the park's operation and oversee compliance with the park's covenants
Contact Information
Christopher Smith, Director
715.232.2488
smithch@uwstout.edu
Project Links
If you have an idea for a project you would like to help launch, please complete the online form below. If you are interested in working with the Discovery Center on existing or future projects, please submit your resume/CV and areas of interest as an email attachment to the Director at discoverycenter@uwstout.edu.
Business Growth Resources
- UW-Stout Discovery Center
- UW-Eau Claire Small Business Development Center
- The Greater Menomonie Development Corporation
- The Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce
- Main Street Menomonie
- The West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
- The West Central Wisconsin Workforce Resource
- SCORE
- Region 1's Office of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce
- Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network
- Regional financial institutions