#13 Wisconsin
6.95 out of 10 in Taxation and Regulation
7.95 out of 10 in Workforce Quality
7.52 out of 10 in Living Environment
Right to Work? ✓
Attracting Big Investments
Wisconsin has been rising through the ranks of economic development with strong momentum, enhancing its business climate with tax reform and business-friendly incentives. German Gummy Bear manufacturer Haribo recently announced construction of its first North American plant in Pleasant Prairie. Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn announced in July that it would construct a $10 billion plant in southeast Wisconsin. The project, expected to be operational by 2020 and to create up to 13,000 jobs, was fueled by a package of incentives worth up to $3 billion for capital costs, workforce development and tax exemptions.
From the Governor
“This is a truly transformational step for our state, our people and our economy, and Wisconsin is ready. Through Foxconn’s historic $10 billion investment and the creation of 13,000 new family-supporting jobs, the most high-tech, cutting-edge technology in the world will be made in America, right here in Wisconsin.” —Gov. Scott Walker
Key Industries
Aerospace, BioScience, Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, Water Technology
Key Companies
Harley-Davidson
Kohl’s
Lands’ End
Manpower
Oshkosh
Dollar General
ABC Supply
Ashley Furniture Industries
Schneider Electric
Kwik Trip
Key Contacts
Economic Development Corp.
Barb LaMue, VP
608-210-6760
201 W Washington Ave
P.O. Box 1687
Madison, WI 53701
barb.lamue@wedc.org
http://inwisconsin.com/
Mark Hogan, Secretary & CEO
(608) 210-6700
201 W Washington Ave
P.O. Box 1687
Madison, WI 53701
mark.hogan@wedc.org
http://inwisconsin.com/
Key Incentives
Enterprise Zone Tax Credit: Offers refundable tax credits for companies undertaking major expansion projects or relocating major business operations from other states to Wisconsin.
Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit: Eliminates tax on income from manufacturing activity in Wisconsin. Credit amounts to 75%, resulting in an effective income tax rate of .4%.
Brownfields Grant Program: Offers grants to local governments and businesses for developing commercial and industrial sites that have been affected by environmental contamination.
Qualified New Business Venture Program (QNBV): Drives investment to innovate early-stage companies by allowing them to claim a 25% tax credit on the amount invested in a QNBV-certified business.
EDCs
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.: inwisconsin.com
Wisconsin Economic Development Association: weda.org
Forward Wisconsin: forwardwi.com
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce: mmac.org/economic-development1.html
Highlighted Program or Initiative
The Think-Make-Happen initiative is supported by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, partners and the public to drive interest in living, working and succeeding in the state.
Big Deals
- Dollar General announced in September 2015 plans to build a $79 million, one-million-square- foot distribution center in Janesville and add 550 jobs.
- German candy company Haribo announced in March 2017 it would locate its first manufacturing facility in North America in Pleasant Prairie. The company will invest $220 million and create 385 jobs.
- Chinese technology company Foxconn announced it would open a $10 billion advanced manufacturing campus in southeastern Wisconsin and create 13,000 jobs. It will be the largest greenfield foreign direct investment in U.S. history.
- Generac Power Systems announced in August 2017 it would construct a $73 million expansion at its global headquarters in Waukesha and add 400 new jobs.
Big Companies
10 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state, including:
Johnson Controls
Northwestern Mutual
ManpowerGroup
Kohl’s
American Family Insurance
Rockwell Automation
C-Suite Testimonials
“In the end, it became clear that Wisconsin was the best alternative for the long-term competitiveness of the company. It came down to Kenosha County and Wisconsin because of the favorable business climate and better long-term economics.” —Keith Smith, President, Vonco Products
“Wisconsin is a great place to grow our company. The state has world-class health systems and leading global healthcare technology companies and, above all, Wisconsin has great people…a business environment that attracts innovation and enterprise.” —Neal Long, CEO, ConsortiEXDynamic Recycling
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