Categories: Best & Worst States for Business

Wisconsin is the 20th Best State for Business 2012

No. 20

Wisconsin

Taxation and Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’07-’10: -1.45 % Growth ’07-’10 v. Nat’l Avg. (-0.33%): -1.11 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2011 %: 7.10 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (8.50%): -1.40 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’00-’09: -11,981 Rank: 30 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,929 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 503.04 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 10.98 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.8%): 1.18

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’07-’10: -1.45
% Growth ’07-’10 v. Nat’l Avg. (-0.33%): -1.11

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2011 %: 7.10
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (8.50%): -1.40

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’00-’09: -11,981
Rank: 30

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,929
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 503.04

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 10.98
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.8%): 1.18

Key Companies
Johnson Controls Kohl’s Manpower Oshkosh Harley-Davidson Rockwell Automation

Development Trend Indicator: Positive
New conservative statehouse is shaking things up, drawing business favor.

CEO Comments
“We only do business in Wisconsin. Since Gov. Walker was elected we have seen a significant improvement in taxes and business conditions.” “In our home state of Wisconsin there is a palatable enthusiasm amongst business executives that we are roaring back due to a clear vision of job creation (e.g. mining in the north) and stable state budgets (allowing us to take more risks).”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Chief Executive

Chief Executive magazine (published since 1977) is the definitive source that CEOs turn to for insight and ideas that help increase their effectiveness and grow their business. Chief Executive Group also produces e-newsletters and online content at chiefexecutive.net and manages Chief Executive Network and other executive peer groups, as well as conferences and roundtables that enable top corporate officers to discuss key subjects and share their experiences within a community of peers. Chief Executive facilitates the annual “CEO of the Year,” a prestigious honor bestowed upon an outstanding corporate leader, nominated and selected by a group of peers, and is known throughout the U.S. and elsewhere for its annual ranking of Best & Worst States for Business. Visit www.chiefexecutive.net for more information.