BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Portage is a flourishing and progressive city that welcomes new businesses and continues to draw in business and industry, while simultaneously retaining its established commerce base. It is ideally situated along Interstates 90/94 and 39, just outside of Madison and within a few hours of busy markets in Milwaukee, Chicago and the Twin Cities. Portage serves as an economic hub for a downtown retail district, along with the surrounding area which offers supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, automobile dealers, lumber yards, hardware stores and drug stores. With this broad business array, the business park remains an integral site for relocation and/or expansion. Occupants of the business parks include manufacturers of plastics, glass, batteries, silicone products, coated paper, and pre-cast concrete as well as a regional publisher, tool and die maker and a food processor. Portage has a diversified base of employers that comprise the business community, featuring a unique mix of small family owned shops and large national firms. Divine Savior Healthcare remains Portage’s largest employer, while various manufacturers and food processors make up a large portion of the local economy as well. Companies such as Penda Corp (manufacturer of truck accessories), AMPI (natural and processed cheese packaging plant), Portage Plastics (thermoforms a multitude of plastic products) and Cardinal FG (manufacturer of flat glass) have made a home here. Education and government also have a significant presence, as does the Columbia Correctional Institution—a multi-million-dollar state correctional facility. The Chamber of Commerce together along with the City and the Columbia County Economic Development Corporation continue to support and facilitate economic development initiatives by providing leadership and direction. The City recently formed a Community Development Authority and adopted a new Comprehensive Plan. The City’s 66-acre park is zoned for industrial use and is a designated Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. It is positioned on the west side of town, adjacent to Highway 16 and the Union Pacific Railroad. I-39 is a short one-half-mile from the park as well. City officials are dedicated to continuous economic development and growth in the business park and other areas in town through the expansion of City services and programs, rail lines and industrial land. With continued redevelopment of the historic downtown area, the excellent transportation access available and our municipal airport, Portage remains committed to be the place to grow your business. The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping your business grow. Click here for available business properties. Alliant Energy Economic and Communty Development also serves industry by locating the best buildings and sites for development and expansion in this region. Visit www.portagewi.com or the City of Portage website at www.ci.portage.wi.us for additional information pertaining to development.
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