WHEDA Executive Director to Give Keynote Address to La Crosse Business Leaders

MADISON - Antonio Riley, Executive Director for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, (WHEDA®), will be in La Crosse today to present the keynote address at Downtown Mainstreet, Inc (DMI)'s 14th annual business meeting at the Radison Center, 300 South 2nd Street.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Jim Doyle, Riley's remarks will focus on Downtown Mainstreet's successes of creating and retaining jobs, attracting corporate headquarters to the region and developing historic downtown La Crosse.

"The city of La Crosse and Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. is a great example of the good work that can be accomplished when you have public entities and private enterprise working together," said Riley. "Here in La Crosse there are several developments that have been financed in part through WHEDA or the Department of Commerce that would not have been possible without these innovative partnerships. DMI should take great pride in their accomplishments."

Since the beginning of the Doyle administration in 2003, WHEDA has been involved in the funding of the People's Co op, Logistics Health and Century Tel. As the state's housing authority, WHEDA provided 588 Home loans totaling $53.1 million in La Crosse County since 2003. Riley will also be announcing that La Crosse is the recipient of a $10,000 Paint and Fix Up grant from WHEDA for use on Homes in distressed or older neighborhoods.

WHEDA is an independent state authority that works with lenders to provide low-cost financing for housing and small business development in Wisconsin.