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Legislative Climate

In order to make Wisconsin a competitive location for the development and expansion of business on the regional, national and global level, Governor Scott Walker has proposed to reinvent economic development in the state.

As part of representing the legislative needs of Washington County businesses, the EDWC has developed legislative priorities and recommendations for advancing business growth in the state:

Align all state economic development programs with a single strategy under the purview of WEDC
Strengthen relationships between local economic development organizations and regional partnerships by formalizing county EDC’s into WEDC’s structure
Recommend WEDC focus its efforts and development incentives on the expansion of existing and start-up high growth companies
Expand WEDC’s performance indicators beyond raw job creation as a measure of economic development within the state
Recommend the Department of Workforce Development to align its strategy with WEDC to attract and grow the talent necessary for ensuring the availability of an appropriately skilled workforce.

WEDC leadership appears to support many of these recommendations, incorporating them into their operational strategy.

EDWC partnered with Westbury (financial sponsor) and UW-Washington County to host an invite-only legislative breakfast on March 11, 2011. This was an opportunity for the private sector to meet with area legislators and Commerce Secretary Paul Jadin to discuss their priorities and concerns. 64 people participated with 58 attendees representing 38 businesses from various sectors. A vote was taken on issues raised at the session. Top vote getters were cost transparency in healthcare, needs to focus on small business, environmental regulations and tort reform.

Legislative Climate

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