City of Platteville Wins Prominent Economic Development Award for Pioneer Square Project

Platteville, WI – The City of Platteville today was presented with their 2020 Community and Economic Development Award (CEDA) for the Pioneer Square project. Platteville won the CEDA award in the Public Private Partnership category, which recognizes projects, programs or initiatives that have been successful due to exceptional collaboration between the public and private sectors. The award was initially announced at the 2020 CEDA Awards ceremony, which was held virtually on Sept. 16, 2020.

The CEDA Awards program was established by the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) to celebrate businesses, projects, and organizations that are making significant contributions to Wisconsin’s economy. Winners were recognized in the following six categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Economic Development Initiative; Economic Driver; Public-Private Partnership; Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse; and Talent Attraction.

"The City of Platteville is thrilled the Pioneer Square project was recognized with a CEDA award, and we would want to thank our partners and supporters who contributed to our success, including Platteville residents and community leaders who shared our vision,” said Joe Carroll, Platteville Community Development Director. “This exciting project turned a once blighted space in our downtown area into a valuable community asset.”

The Pioneer Square Project, a partnership between the City of Platteville, General Capital, and Movin’ Out, Inc., transformed a former car dealership and grocery store into an urban workforce housing solution. The once deteriorating site with environmental challenges is located along two major transportation corridors in downtown Platteville. The redevelopment project consists of the 71-unit Ruxton mixed-income apartments and 2,500 square feet of commercial space, occupied by Southwest Wisconsin Technical College’s outreach site. This $14 million project was made possible with the use of WHEDA Low Income Housing Tax Credits, CDBG funding, WEDC grants and tax increment financing.

“WEDA is excited to partner with the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, the Wisconsin Counties Association, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to present the CEDA Awards and

celebrate the efforts of communities such as the City of Platteville that are advancing Wisconsin’s economy through collaboration with the private sector,” said WEDA Communications Director Michael Welsh. “The Pioneer Square project changed the face of downtown Platteville and exemplifies the spirit of the Public Private Partnership CEDA Award.”

CEDA Award sponsors include Alliant Energy; Dairyland Power Cooperative; Green Bay Packers; Insight Publications; Madison Gas & Electric; U.S. Bank; and Xcel Energy.