The state's budget-writing committee approved funds for a new engineering school at UW-Green Bay earlier this week. The new school will be a part of the overall UW System budget. UW-Green Bay currently offers three engineering technology courses.

"The engineering technology program has grown about three times faster than we expected it to grow and I think it has about 130 students in it now," said UWGB Chancellor Gary Miller, who spoke of the university's desire to bring more classes to students through the new school. "We are seeking a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and then we'll see where we go from there."

A new engineering school in the area is good news for companies like Foth, an engineering firm headquartered in Lawrence.

"If you look at the manufacturing base that is in northeastern Wisconsin and the amount of need that is here. It is very significant for mechanical and electrical," said Randall Homel, Foth CEO. "We have a lot of talented, STEM-interested kids that come out of high school, but then they end up going elsewhere to get their education."

If the budget passes the state legislature, the new engineering school will be built in Phoenix Innovation Park, on the UWGB campus. The park will also be home to a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics center.

Read more here.