Marinette County Administrator John Lefebvre says Aurora Global Defense Systems has submitted a proposal to purchase and redevelop the former UW–Green Bay Marinette Campus.
In an email to County Board members, Lefebvre said he has been in contact with Aurora Global Defense Systems and recently spoke with the company’s chief executive officer, Jeffrey Conoley. Lefebvre also noted Conoley and the company’s chief operating officer toured the campus on December 22nd.
According to the proposal, Aurora Global Defense Systems would acquire the campus Theatre, Library, and Tech Center for one dollar per building, relieving the County of ongoing maintenance costs.
The company says it plans to pursue federal contracts in robotics, artificial intelligence, and drone technology, with the goal of positioning Marinette as a hub for national defense innovation.
As part of the agreement, one-point-five million dollars is already budgeted into rehabilitation and repairs and projects the creation of one hundred on-site jobs within the first two years of operation.
These facilities will be strictly used for Research and Development. At no time will prototypes be flight – tested or live – tested outside of the facility in a manner that disturbs the community.
Aurora Global Defense Systems is also offering to acquire the Fieldhouse for an additional one dollar.
To protect the County’s interests, the company says that if the project fails, it would assist with demolition of the Tech Center and Library, with the sites then redeveloped into a community park.
The proposal eliminates ongoing carrying costs, preserves the Theatre for community use, and outlines a potential high-tech future for the region.
The next Marinette County Board meeting takes place on Tuesday, January 27th at 9am.
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