Madison Reporter

An additional $3.2 million in funds from the state Tourism Capital Grant Program will go to Dane County to facilitate upgrades to the Alliant Energy Center and promote economic recovery.

A Feb. 14 report by WKOW highlighted a news release from the county, stating a majority of the funding will be used to add electrical infrastructure not originally included in the building footprint. Several necessary improvements have been outlined due to the center’s high volume of events.

“Thanks to the creation of this statewide grant program, the Alliant Energy Center will be able to make necessary upgrades and continue to safely host top events, as our community rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic," Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said, according to a news release from county spokesperson Ariana Vruwink. 

According to WKOW, events at the Alliant Energy Center bring in 70,000 hotel room stays, 100,000 visitors and $16 million in direct spending every year, marking the venue as a key player in the county’s economy. 

Necessary improvements include more than 600 in-stall electrical receptacles, radiant and forced-air heating equipment, physical plant power distribution improvements, air movement equipment, a dry-chemical fire suppression system to protect storage areas for bedding, as well as new and upgraded air infiltration equipment, the report states. 

With these, WKOW reports the new expansion will allow for more, larger events, which will make up for income lost during mass-event cancellations at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.