#11 Wisconsin
#30 in Taxation and Regulation
#15 in Workforce Quality
#19 in Living Environment
Right to Work? ✓
Regional Profile – Midwest
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Key Industries
Aerospace, BioScience, Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, Water Technology
Key Companies
Harley-Davidson
Johnson Controls
Kohl’s
Lands’ End
Manpower
Oshkosh
Rockwell Automation
Advantages
Wisconsin’s new right-to-work legislation is drawing more business prospects to the state.
Wisconsin spends over $153 billion a year on incentive programs
Challenges
Wisconsin’s state and local tax burden fifth-highest out of 50 states.
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/
CEO Comments
“Due to high taxes and a small tax base Wisconsin businesses are primarily privately held with very high product/service margins to cover the tax burdens.”
“Wisconsin has chosen a path of letting its infrastructure deteriorate, not funding schools, letting roads deteriorate, reducing protections for public lands and waters. Violent crime is on the rise and local control is being undermined. The future is depressing due to gerrymandering of political boundaries and lack of commitment to investment.”
“Wisconsin has a great workforce and expenses are about 1/3 of the east coast. Taxes are fair to moderate in impact.”
Current Developments
2015 REGIONAL REPORT: The West
July 29, 2015
State Tax Competitiveness Is Compared in Newest Tax Foundation Study
December 9, 2015