Award for transportation improvements will help create 20 new jobs, retain 28 existing jobs at two businesses within industrial park

For Hub City Times

Gov. Scott Walker announced on Feb. 11 that the village of Stratford has been awarded a Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant. The $137,913 award represents the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) contribution toward the design and construction of street extensions and other road improvements for the Stratford Business and Industrial Park. These improvements will provide safe and convenient access to a new facility recently built by AMS Bowfishing and one that will be built by CounterArt.

AMS, dedicated to the sport of bow fishing, manufactures a broad line of bow fishing equipment and accessories such as bows, reels, arrows, and replacement lines. The business’ customer and market base has expanded over the years, and AMS now sells its products nationwide and internationally. This growing business will create 17 new, direct jobs and retain an additional 27 jobs.

CounterArt is a small business that designs and fabricates concrete countertops for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. To serve its growing central Wisconsin market, CounterArt plans to construct a 2,800-square-foot production plant in the business/industrial park. When fully operational, three new jobs will be created, and one existing position will be retained.

WisDOT’s TEA grant covers 50 percent of the $275,825 eligible costs of the construction project, the remaining funds provided by the village of Stratford.

Since its start in 1987, Wisconsin’s TEA grant program has invested over $97 million in 345 projects, helping to create or retain more than 85,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs around the state as of October 2015. For a complete listing of TEA grants and project details, visit wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/aid/tea.aspx.