(Washington, DC)— U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) today announced that the Milwaukee Water Council has been awarded a $172,500 Department of Commerce grant to help plan for water-related economic development. Specifically, the grant funds a study of how best to strengthen and enhance the Milwaukee region’s freshwater processing and treatment capabilities. When completed, this study will provide a road map for the area’s water-related industries and research community to better work in conjunction with one another. This cooperation will lead to the region’s ascent as an international hub for freshwater research, education, technology development and manufacturing.

“With this grant the Department of Commerce recognizes Milwaukee for what it is -- the premiere place in the country for water industry and research,” Sen. Kohl said. “This funding will help the region continue to make its mark in this growing field.”

“The Great Lakes hold enormous potential for the Milwaukee area and the region,” Congresswoman Moore said. “Harnessing our region’s water resources will create new, 21st Century employment opportunities and ensure that Milwaukee continues to be a world leader in water technology. We have a unique opportunity to help transform our economy by centering it around our growing number of water-related industries, even while certain other manufacturing sectors have declined. This grant will help take us there.”

The proposed study will review and analyze key state, national and international regulations that drive water policy and thereby impact the industry’s activities. In addition, it will identify current and pending regulations from emerging policy initiatives that will drive future technology from the Environmental Protection Agency, State Departments of Natural Resources, the European Union, the United Nations and the African Union.

Policy considerations and draft proposals for current and emerging water quality and quantity issues will also be developed. Another aspect of the study will be to review and identify existing and future technologies that will solve emerging water quality and quantity issues, as well as to determine growth opportunities for water technology.

Finally, the study will develop a specific research and development plan for the water cluster that addresses all of the above-mentioned factors. The grant requires matching funds from the Milwaukee Water Council.

“Every study points to the fact that demand for water and the necessary technology to provide clean water is a high priority and will only increase in the future,” said Julia Taylor, Water Council Board Member and the President of the Greater Milwaukee Committee. “Already the Milwaukee region is recognized as a world leader in water technology and this grant will strengthen and enhance our freshwater cluster and help in the creation of critical jobs in our region. We deeply appreciate the U.S. Department of Commerce support and the assistance that has been provided by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce as well as by our federal and state elected leaders in championing our proposal

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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact Marni Goldberg at 202-593-8574.

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