The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has been the focus of much legislative attention since the Audit Bureau’s report on mismanagement at WEDC came out last month. In addition to items included in the JFC proposed 2013-15 budget, numerous bills have been introduced to make changes at the pseudo-agency. In the height of finance action, companion […]
Legislature Moves Forward on Venture Capital
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 10:26am By Hamilton
Wisconsin is a few steps closer to having a state-funded venture capital fund. On June 6, AB 181 was passed by the Assembly and its companion, SB 169 was the subject of a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Local Government. These bills would provide the framework for managing the $25 […]
How Much Does Wisconsin Export to China?
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 10:07am By Hamilton
A new report from the US-China Business Council provides a snapshot of how much trade growth with China has grown since 2003 by state. The report indicates that Wisconsin exports to China grew 256% from 2003 to 2012. Wisconsin-specific information from the report. Click here to read the full report.
WEDC CEO Discusses Audit with WisconsinEye
Date Thu, May. 23, 2013 - 10:40am By Hamilton
WisconsinEye’s Senior Producer Steve Walters interviewed Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Reed Hall on May 17, 2013 about the recent audit that was critical of WEDC and the successful trade mission to China.
WEDC in the Hot Seat
Date Fri, May. 10, 2013 - 11:18am By Hamilton
In response to the Legislative Audit Bureau’s recent audit of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the public-private job-creation agency has faced increased scrutiny and its budget is in jeopardy. Budget Consequences On May 9, the Joint Finance Committee voted to make funding for WEDC conditional upon new compliance and reporting requirements in response to […]
Governor Takes Cabinet on the Road for Economic Development
Date Tue, May. 7, 2013 - 3:52pm By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has launched a “Cabinet on the Road” initiative to give the Governor and the Cabinet leaders the opportunity to listen and gather feedback from area business leaders and economic development groups around the state. “This is all a part of our continued efforts to help the people create jobs,” Governor Walker said. “I’m […]
Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week
Date Thu, May. 2, 2013 - 4:16pm By Hamilton
The first full week of May is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984. This year’s events focus on the theme of travel effect. From May 4 – 12 events will be held across the country focusing on the impact of travel and tourism. According to a press […]
Legislature Considers Various Venture Capital Proposals
Date Thu, May. 2, 2013 - 3:42pm By Hamilton
This week the legislature held a hearing on one venture capital bill and started discussions about another. Venture capital is a hot topic this session because Wisconsin lags behind other states in the availability of start-up capital, but there is a hesitancy to put taxpayer money at risk. The Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economy and […]
Looking to Learn More about Broadband?
Date Thu, May. 2, 2013 - 11:21am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Counties Association is holding a free webinar on broadband deployment in Wisconsin on May 20 at 10 a.m. The importance of a robust broadband infrastructure to ensuring a high quality of life, facilitating job creation efforts and generating efficiencies in government operations has been well established. Despite a recognized need, communities around the […]
Analyzing the Impacts of Industrial Sand
Date Thu, May. 2, 2013 - 10:16am By Hamilton
The April 2013 issue of Wisconsin Interest, the magazine published by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, has an article making an economic and environmental argument in favor of frac sand mining. The article, “Mining Success,” also discusses the impact the sand industry has had on local governing boards.