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In the wake of a global
economic downturn and unprecedented fiscal challenges, I’m happy to say that
Wisconsin is open for business, now more than ever before. Don’t just take
my word for it. Listen instead to Wisconsin’s business leaders who are
seeing profitable opportunities and real reasons to grow in Wisconsin,
because of the efforts we have made in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Derrick Martin, President of Lena’s Food Market, a chain of family-owned and
operated grocery stores, says that thanks to the New Markets Jobs Credit
Assembly Democrats created, “I could see us hiring more people and opening
new locations in the next couple of years.” Lincoln Fowler, one of the
owners of Alterra Coffee credited the federal version of that incentive in
helping the company expand operations and add 41 employees. Fowler went on,
saying, “I think there’s great potential for even more growth, with the
state expansion of the program.” Dick Govednick of Govednick Automotive
Transmission Specialists credited Assembly legislation to protect small
businesses from tricks in service contracts saying, “This bill will help me
and allow me to concentrate on my customers, not my paperwork.”
Major business organizations are praising our efforts, too. Bill Smith,
State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, applauded
our focus on developing positive relationships between state regulatory
agencies and small business owners, by emphasizing the use of education
instead of penalties, if a rule is broken inadvertently. Smith said,
“Wisconsin’s small business owners can look forward to a less costly, less
confusing and less complex regulatory climate as a result of the passage of
this important legislation.” Dave Storey of the Wisconsin Retail Council
thanked Wisconsin Assembly members following passage of the Main Street
Equity Act, saying the initiative “will level the playing field upon which
all Wisconsin-based retailers do business."
Bill Bruins of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation noted our expansion of
incentives to grow meat and dairy processing plants, saying the move would
“create more jobs, spur more economic activity and strengthen our dairy and
livestock sectors.” Even Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce applauded our
work to boost Wisconsin’s economy. Jim Buchen, WMC’s Vice President of
Government Relations called legislation we approved to allow penalty-free
retirement account conversions “critical action to keep our state
competitive in the fight to attract and retain businesses.” I’m glad to hear
these job creators and economic leaders think we’ve made Wisconsin more
business-friendly, because it’s one of my top priorities. Better still is
seeing the economic growth we’ve helped to spur through our legislative
work.
In Beloit, Frito Lay is expanding its manufacturing operations because of a
new development incentive, hiring 25 more full-time workers. Last year,
Mercury Marine chose to stay in Fond du Lac, moving more of its operations
to Wisconsin thanks in part to our business boosts. Republic Airways moved
its corporate headquarters to Milwaukee, too, adding another 800 employees.
Here in Western Wisconsin, La Crosse’s Logistics Health is growing by leaps
and bounds, adding another 300 employees thanks to state assistance.
I will continue to work hard to get our economy back up and running. I know
it is still a tough job market and that there is still much more work to do.
As always, I look forward to hearing feedback from you on ways we might
better our state’s business climate and spur additional job creation.
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