Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Prepared by: Patrick Ward, Staff Attorney February 28, 2024
2023 Wisconsin Act 96
[2023 Senate Bill 894]
Technology and Innovation Hub
Grant to BioForward, Inc.
BACKGROUND
On October 23, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration
(EDA) designated the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, which is led by BioForward, Inc., as a Regional
Tech Hub and awarded the entity a strategy development grant. This designation makes the Wisconsin
Biohealth Tech Hub eligible for an EDA implementation grant, and this grant requires matching funds
by prohibiting the implementation grant from exceeding 90 percent of the operating costs of the hub.
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 96
2023 Wisconsin Act 96 provides $7.5 million in funding to the Wisconsin Economic Development
Corporation (WEDC) for the purpose of making a grant to BioForward, Inc., in its role as lead
consortium member of the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub. The $7.5 million grant may only be released
if the federal implementation grant is awarded and may only be used for the following purposes:
The establishment in this state of a clinical workflow and supply chain support center for image-
guided therapies and theranostics.
The construction of new lab space and expanded shared lab space at Forward BIOLABS, Inc., and
the development of lab-related programming and support for the expansion of Forward BIOLABS,
Inc.
The development of a program that provides support for manufacturing and supply chain
companies in this state to develop apprenticeship programs and the development of incentives for
employers in this state to engage apprentices in high-demand industry sectors.
WEDC and BioForward, Inc., must submit a joint report to the Joint Committee on Finance that details
all uses of the grant moneys. The report must be submitted for three years beginning with the first year
after the grant is awarded.
Effective date: February 23, 2024
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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