WEDC Secretary and CEO John W. Miller visits UWRF

 

WEDC Secretary and CEO John W. Miller visits UW-River Falls

Aug. 27, 2026 — Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO John W. Miller visited the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Tuesday, where he had an opportunity to learn about academic programs and industry collaboration and to meet with a number of regional economic and business leaders. 

Miller received a tour of UWRF's new Science and Technology Innovation Center, which opened for classes in January. SciTech features 32 undergraduate research spaces, 12 instructional labs and flexible student and faculty collaboration spaces. The building is the new home of hands-on learning opportunities in biology, biotechnology, chemistry, neuroscience, physics and psychology at UWRF. It also houses the new University Business Collaboration Center which supports industry collaboration with state-of-the-art facilities for product development, prototyping and research, as well as presentation and meeting spaces.

Following the tour, Miller met with a group of economic development stakeholders, including leaders from the Pierce, St. Croix and River Falls Economic Development Corporations, the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau and the UWRF Small Business Development Center to discuss needs and opportunities in the region. The conversation highlighted the value of UWRF to business attraction and retention efforts and touched on challenges including demographics, housing and childcare access.

“Higher education is one of the keys to our state’s economic success,” Miller said. “Wisconsin relies on institutions like UWRF to drive research and innovation, educate the next generation of workers and leaders, and help meet the myriad needs of communities and private-sector partners.”

Miller also learned about examples of UWRF's contributions to economic development and how support from WEDC has produced results. This included a visit to UWRF's Dairy Pilot Plant, where students and staff conduct product research for clients and produce dairy products for the university's Falcon Creamery. WEDC had awarded the UWRF Dairy Pilot Plant renovation project a $250,000 Targeted Industry Projects grant that helped fabricate the plant’s high-temperature short-time pasteurization system.

While touring the UWRF Meat Plant, Miller learned about the Humane Handling Institute (HHI), a first-of-its-kind program that provides comprehensive hands-on training in humane livestock handling for meat processing plant employees. The HHI training was supported through the state’s Meat Talent Development Program, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). 

Miller also received an update about plans for a new Plant Science Discovery Center as well as a request for funds to plan the renewal of the Agricultural Sciences Complex. The funding proposals recently received approval from the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents and will be submitted for consideration by the governor and legislature as part of the 2027-2029 biennial budget. A critical outcome in the coming biennium would be the replacement of the university's aging greenhouse facility with modern instructional, laboratory and research space. The facility would feature technology used throughout today's agricultural industry, including autonomous greenhouse management systems, precision irrigation and robotic monitoring.

“For more than a century, our state and the world have benefited from the Wisconsin Idea – the notion that the knowledge gained in UW classrooms and laboratories should help everyone,” Miller said. “UWRF is continuing that tradition with its focus on real-world solutions to meet the challenges of today – and far beyond.” 

"We are excited to have the opportunity to show Secretary Miller the results of past support from WEDC and some of our plans for the future," said Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth. "UWRF's relationship with state agencies, as well as industry and economic development partners helps our students gain valuable real-world experience and helps the university contribute to workforce development and the economic well-being of the region."

Photo: WEDC Secretary and CEO John Miller (left) learns about plans for a new Plant Science Discovery Center during a visit to the UW-River Falls campus on Tuesday. Funding for the project was recently approved by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents for consideration by the governor and legislature as part of the 2027-2029 biennial budget. Also pictured l-r: Kurt Vogel, professor of animal welfare and behavior and director of the Humane Handling Institute; Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth and Brandt Berghuis, associate professor of crop science. UWRF photo.