Arrowhead says Verona R&D campus could double Wisconsin headcount; council broadly supportive of initial review

City staff presented an initial review May 26 on a potential expansion of Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals in the Verona Technology Park and asked the Common Council for feedback on possible tax-increment financing (TIF) assistance.

Dave Bormet, vice president with Arrowhead at the Verona site, said the company is evaluating building a new R&D facility adjacent to its existing building as part of a campus approach. "We would expect to be able to double that with the growth here in Verona," he said, referring to a current Wisconsin headcount of about 200 employees.

Bormet described the planned space as research-and-development focused, expecting positions to be science and engineering roles (chemists, biologists and other advanced-degree staff). He said most development and lab staff work on-site five days a week, with some remote roles limited to sales personnel.

Council members expressed general support for using TIF for economic development that brings higher-paying jobs, asked for additional detail on job counts and job profiles as the project develops, and emphasized that initial favorable feedback does not obligate the council to approve a final TIF agreement.

Staff and Arrowhead representatives will return with more detailed proposals and potential financing terms if the project advances past this initial review stage.