CEO Guide to Site Selection

#19

Wisconsin

CEO Rank on Best & Worst States for Business

BUILDING BACK THE BADGER STATE

While Wisconsin’s economy took a major hit in 2020, the state landed several notable projects in manufacturing and distribution in the past year. eCommerce fulfillment and distribution company Geneva Supply converted a 385,000-square-foot warehouse in Wilmot in July 2021 with plans to hire at least 100 new employees. Manufacturer IRIS USA expanded its facility in Pleasant Prairie with plans for 90 new jobs over the next three years.

Heartland Produce also broke ground on a $29 million headquarters and distribution facility in Kenosha. In July, Gov. Tony Evers announced a $130 million investment into solutions to help address the state’s post-pandemic workforce needs.

“We’re making the kind of strategic, long-term investments that will ensure our state economy and our communities are stronger and more resilient than they were before the pandemic hit.”
Tony Evers
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of students graduated high school in 2019

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2010 and 2020

KEY INCENTIVES

The Business Development Tax Credit Program: Offers a tax credit for businesses locating in or relocating to the state that increase their net employment each year.

Diverse Business Development Program: Designed to support minority, women, LGBTQ and veteran business development through direct assistance to nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin.

ExporTech™ Program: Offers customized international growth plans and assistance to help companies go to market with exports.

Wisconsin Investment Pilot Program: Offers up to $100,000 in direct financial assistance to businesses certified by WEDC as Qualified New Business Ventures (QNBV).

EDCs

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

wedc.org

Madison Region Economic Partnership

madisonregion.org

Milwaukee 7

mke7.com

Greater Green Bay Chamber

greatergbc.org

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

In July 2021, Gov. Tony Evers announced a $130 million investment into solutions to help address the state’s post-pandemic workforce needs. Recognizing there is “no one-size-fits-all solution,” the program seeks custom- ized options for unemployed workers, businesses and community leaders.

BIG DEALS

  • Kwik Trip forecasted in May 2021 its ongoing $378 mil- lion expansion would create more than 662 new jobs.
  • Nolato Contour announced in June 2021 an expansion and 75 new jobs in Baldwin.
  • Generac announced in September 2021 a $53 million expansion and more than 700 new jobs at its facilities across the state.
  • Agropur announced in October 2021 a $168 million factory and 54 new jobs in Little Chute.

BIG COMPANIES

Eight Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state, including:

  • Northwestern Mutual
  • ManpowerGroup
  • Kohl’s
  • Fiserv
  • American Family Insurance
  • WEC Energy Group
  • OshKosh B’gosh
  • Rockwell Automation