The need to complete phase two of the Prairie Springs Science Center on the UW-La Crosse campus, which a mix of business leaders believe can spark Coulee Region growth, will be discussed at the Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Tech Council Innovation Network luncheon in La Crosse.

Panelists include Taggert Brooks, dean of the College of Business Administration at UW-La Crosse; Dr. Jacob Erickson, sports medicine physician and researcher at Mayo Clinic; Jonathon Horne, managing director of Idea Fund of La Crosse; and Dave Ring, community relations manager for Kwik Trip. Tech Council President Tom Still will moderate.

“The first phase of the science center was approved in 2018 under a Republican-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Since then, it has been rejected three times,” Still said. “Many in the region’s business and health care communities would like to see this $187 million project advance in the future. We’ll hear their reasons why during this event.”